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Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Author:
Bryan Stevenson
Read by:
Bryan Stevenson
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Unabridged Audiobook

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Ratings
Book
399
Narrator
78
Release Date
October 21, 2014
Duration
11 hours 12 minutes
Summary
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING MICHAEL B. JORDAN AND JAMIE FOXX • A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.

“[Bryan Stevenson’s] dedication to fighting for justice and equality has inspired me and many others and made a lasting impact on our country.”—John Legend

NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF THE CENTURY

A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Seattle Times, Esquire, Time

Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.

Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.

Winner of the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction • Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction • Winner of a Books for a Better Life Award • Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize • Finalist for the Kirkus Reviews Prize • An American Library Association Notable Book

“Every bit as moving as To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so . . . a searing indictment of American criminal justice and a stirring testament to the salvation that fighting for the vulnerable sometimes yields.”—David Cole, The New York Review of Books

“Searing, moving . . . Bryan Stevenson may, indeed, be America’s Mandela.”—Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times

“Inspiring . . . a work of style, substance and clarity . . . Stevenson is not only a great lawyer, he’s also a gifted writer and storyteller.”—The Washington Post

“As deeply moving, poignant and powerful a book as has been, and maybe ever can be, written about the death penalty.”—The Financial Times

“Brilliant.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer
Reviews
Profile Avatar Kathy K Nov 2017

I will never forget Bryan Stevenson and the good this man has done during his lifetime. It’s incredibly humbling to read this book and consider the topics he and his team champion and battle everyday. This is a story that will stay with you long after you finish digesting the last chapter. I’m so grateful to have met Bryan through this book...he is a hero to many, myself included.

Profile Avatar Kathleen S. Mar 2019

A beautiful book that gives me hope for this country that is so troubled. The hope- there are people like Bryan Stevenson working for justice with compassion and love for the most vulnerable members of our communities. What an inspiration!

Profile Avatar Anonymous Aug 2018

Very eye opening and powerful book. Forever changes the way I view the Justice system and how it's not designed to be just and fair but unjust and unfavorable to those most vulnerable. Hats off to Bryan Stevenson for his life long commitment to Justice.

Profile Avatar Kamala C. Jun 2021

Wonderful and inspiring

Profile Avatar Anonymous Sep 2020

The author sees everything through a lens of race, and oppression.

Profile Avatar Cheryl Z. Jan 2025

It is an enlightening book into the injustice in our “justice” system. One that I have always been skeptical of anyway so it wasn’t shocking to me. It disgusts me that humans are so cruel. Bryan Stevenson deserves more awards than most people, but I believe his biggest reward will come after death.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Aug 2024

I simply loved this book. An inspirational story that touched my heart.

Profile Avatar Karen E. Mar 2021

Powerful and 8th grade through high school could benefit from reading the book to open their eyes to many possibilities that evoke hope and redirection into motivation and careers. NYC DOE Teacher

Profile Avatar Karen D. Aug 2020

Eye opening

Profile Avatar Anonymous Aug 2020

Through my daughter, I was familiar the work of Bryan and EJI. I have met Ian, he is a lovely soul. But nothing compares you for the book and the realities of the justice system. The book educates while also introducing you to personal and painful stories. It isn’t easy to hear, but everyone should have to listen. I am thankful I did. I shared his TED Talk with my team and it encouraged great conversation. I hope to keep the conversations going. Loved his narration!

Profile Avatar Sandra Aug 2020

A compelling eye opener that was brilliantly written with unforgettable detail. A must read for potential Criminal Law Students.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jul 2020

Everyone needs to hear this.

Profile Avatar Devon S. Jul 2020

Hard to listen too but very eye opening. Gives hope for all things in life but specifically for this ongoing issue and what we see happening now all around us in the current state of racial injustice and unrest we are in. Thank God for him and all he’s done and continues to do.

Profile Avatar Jeffrey B. Jul 2020

Amazing, disturbing, touching.

Profile Avatar Randa S. Jun 2020

Amazing compilation of life and career experiences. The author does a great job at narrating a story that is obviously very meaningful to him. This is a very important read/listen given our current climate. It’s very easy as you read or listen to assume that these situations are from a far past time. I encourage everyone that picks up this book to always refer back to the time markers that the author references. This is not long lost history but a very eye opening account of our current criminal justice system.

Profile Avatar Marty M. Jun 2020

A must listen in this day and age. Heartbreaking and inspiring.

Profile Avatar Madison P. May 2020

Loved this book and the author was an AMAZING narrator

Profile Avatar Susan Rollenhagen Mar 2020

This wasn't what I expected, thought it would be written like a novel, instead was more of a narrative of stories.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Mar 2020

Not expecting a narrative history lesson but a story a novel. Topic is important and compelling.

Profile Avatar Catherine S. Nov 2019

A remarkable story - actually stories. So grateful for Mr. Stevenson's dedication and tireless work to help so many people whose voices would have never been heard. I can't stop thinking about the people in these stories and wondering where they are now. I was very moved - and want to do something more than just listen to these stories. Thank you Mr. Stevenson!

Profile Avatar Anonymous Nov 2019

love this book, living in Alabama I had no idea this was even going on so it's so cool to get this history in a book version that also tells small stories

Profile Avatar Robyn M. Aug 2019

Exceptional and an absolute MUST READ

Profile Avatar Mandy C. Jul 2019

As a freshman English teacher who has taught To Kill a Mockingbird for years, the stories told by Bryan Stevenson, his clients, and the American judicial system finally gave me the voice of Tom Robinson. The hope Tom lost has been found in the pages of this heartbreaking and uplifting book. Thank you for this book.

Profile Avatar Carol G. Apr 2019

Carol. G. This book is so well written and articulates our legal system that is captivating! Bryan Stevenson is an incredible author and I can't wait to hear or read what he does next! This book just inspires me to be merciful, forgiving, non-judgmental, and loving of all my neighbors. Thank you Bryan Stevenson and God bless you for your work at EJI!!!!

Profile Avatar Travis H. Mar 2019

Very interesting read on the death penalty.

Profile Avatar Sutzie C Mar 2018

A very informative book and written in an extremely interesting manner.. Holds ones attention throughout. I recommend this story.

Profile Avatar Janeth G Dec 2017

I was reading this book for my English class and I personally don't enjoy reading much. However, this book was so interesting; it's one of the best books I've ever read. Also, it was amazing to get to know how Bryan Stevenson helped so many people, it was truly inspiring.

Profile Avatar Diane M Dec 2017

This book is a bright light amongst all of the disappointing news of the day. Bryan Stevenson has invested his life in some of the most vulnerable people in our society - those who have no voice and are trapped within our criminal justice system. The reader is introduced to the stories of several incarcerated men and their families and a lawyer who does his best to promote justice for those he represents. Inspirational book!

Profile Avatar Wilber J Sep 2017

This book is a must listen for everyone who want a better life. Who has a heart

Profile Avatar Rosemarie H Aug 2017

The words "must read" are overused by apply here. The pacing was just right and the language was simple, clear, un-lawyerlike! The stories are all true which made it all even more compelling. Prepare to ride the emotional roller coaster as you expand your understanding and awareness.

Profile Avatar KARLA I Jul 2017

This book is amazing!! It is heartbreaking but also keeps you engaged in the story.

Profile Avatar Samantha W Jun 2017

Even though it was heartbreaking I thought this book was amazing. Bryan Stevenson is someone I truly admire. He is a gifted story teller who brought to light so many things I was in aware of. I'm sure him and his EJI team will continue the incredible work they are doing!!

Profile Avatar Christian M Jun 2017

Reallly compelling book, it was recommended and it so worth it. It's so good I hope everyone in our nation reads it. I'm so glad I read it.

Profile Avatar Cindy Winters Mar 2017

This book was very engaging. It tells heart breaking stories of the multiple injustices that occur in our country. The author weaves statistics throughout the book. We can be a very fearful and cruel nation to our most vulnerable. We can and must do better than this.

Profile Avatar Dwan Burton Mar 2017

This account of Walter McMillian and several others who received unfair trials, convictions, and sentencing is tragic but beautifully written. Stevenson gives just the right amount of background information on various related topics to show how the history is relevant to the cases being discussed without losing the reader. At first I was a bit annoyed at how the book jumps around among cases Stevenson was working, but then I quickly began to appreciate how it kept me engaged and committed to each individual and their stories. I listened to this via audiobook, not knowing the book's author was narrating the audio for the book, I was annoyed for much of the first half of the book because the monotone narrator (IMO) sounds like a white man, which thoroughly confused me in the beginning as to the race of the stories narrator/author. I hate to say that a person sounds like a different race, but it was a bit distracting in the beginning. Once I did some quick research and found video of Stevenson's TED talk, that help me better appreciate the narration. Stevenson has had an amazing professional journey, I love the way he weaves in accounts from his personal life and and how they related to the struggles he was facing professionally against the criminal justice system. This is a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I love his path and dedication to fighting for justice for those who have been purposely wronged by the criminal justice system. Hopefully this book will enlighten folks who negatively perceive the formerly incarcerated and presently incarcerated as less than. As everyone who has been accused is not guilty. And everyone who is guilty cannot be judged and sentenced without thoroughly assessing their mental abilities and facts of their circumstances. We are all human and Stevenson's account of each of his clients helps to depict this fact. Additionally, while many everyday folks have had some interaction with the criminal justice system, either personally, or via family or friends, most don't know what it's like for those on death row and facing an impending electrocution. Stevenson humanizes a topic most don't ever think about and shows the effects of rendering capital punishment in a very flawed criminal justice system.

Profile Avatar Stacey Kalberman Nov 2016

Open your eyes to what justice is for the less fortunate. A book to be read by anyone interested in human rights and our justice system.

Profile Avatar Tara Smith Nov 2016

This book was so amazing, that I have to agree with my Professor (who included Just Mercy, as one of the suggested texts for our Independent Reading), the Just Mercy book "found me". I must add, not only did this book find me, but it changed my heart as it relates to the death penalty. In addition, as I progress towards my goal of becoming an Attorney, Bryan Stevenson's experiences shared throughout his book, has definitely given me a real sense of what to expect as I represent my clients in the future.

Profile Avatar Wilber Jeffcoat Oct 2016

This is an amazing book that tell life stories about the harshness of our criminal justice system while teaching us the day to day toil of attorneys trying to navigate a system designed to confuse and frustrate anyone that has to deal with it.

Profile Avatar Kate Mack Dec 2015

Holy crap this was good. Blew my mind. So glad that I read it.

Profile Avatar Wayne Pendry Oct 2015

Just Mercy was a great read. The narration was wonderfully done. Just Mercy was an enlightening look into the negligence of the judicial system.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Author: Bryan Stevenson
Read by: Bryan Stevenson
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