In This Timeless Time

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In This Timeless Time: Living and Dying on Death Row in America is a 2012 book by Bruce Jackson and Diana Christian, published by the University of North Carolina Press.

Background[]

The authors are married to one another and Helicher had previously studied prisons for around 40 years.[1] They did not have formal work experience in criminology and history-related jobs.[2]

The title "timeless time" refers to a saying of how staying on death row feels like, as the prisoners are not aware of their ultimate fate.[1]

Contents[]

The initial section is a memorial to executed prisoners, reflecting the authors' philosophy opposing the death penalty.[2]

The book has three sections. The first includes photographs of condemned inmates,[3] in the Ellis Unit in Walker County, Texas in 1979.[4] Those inmates had been put to death.[1] Alan G. Pike of Emory University wrote that the death row living situation is "monotonous and oppressive".[4] The book has a total of 113 black-and-white photographs,[3] and twelve inmates were depicted.[1]

The second, "Words", discusses the legal processes,[1] the outcomes,[4] and daily lives of death row inmates.[1] This section serves as the captions to the images of the first.[4]

The third, "Working", discusses the processes the authors used to get their research material,[4] and ethics-based arguments regarding the death penalty.[1]

The book includes a DVD containing a 1979 documentary,[1] , including interviews of Ellis Unit capital punishment prisoners, made by the authors. Pike called it "exceptional".[4]

Reception[]

Frances Sandiford, a former librarian of the Green Haven Correctional Facility, wrote that the book was in a "direct, journalistic style, poignant and to the point."[5] She indicated a highly positive review with a star symbol.[3]

Pike wrote that the book is "a uniquely powerful contribution" to the subject.[4]

Karl Helicher of wrote that the book "would benefit" persons interested in the American death penalty and the associated penal system.[1]

Alex Tepperman, a PhD student in history at the University of Florida, concluded that the book "is a moving piece of photojournalism and a fitting argument against the death penalty".[2] Tepperman believed the first part was the best but felt the second and third were not as good.[2]

Publishers Weekly wrote that the book was "comprehensive" and "well-crafted".[6]

References[]

  • Helicher, Karl (2012-05-31). "In This Timeless Time". .
  • Pike, Alan G. (November 2012). "In This Timeless Time: Living and Dying on Death Row in America". Journal of Southern History. 78 (4): 1060–1061.
  • Sandiford, Frances (2012-05-15). "In This Timeless Time: Living and Dying on Death Row in America". Library Journal: 89–90.
  • Tepperman, Alex (Spring 2013). "In This Timeless Time: Living and Dying on Death Row in America". : 3.


Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Helicher.
  2. ^ a b c d Tepperman.
  3. ^ a b c Sandiford, p. 89
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Pike, p. 1061.
  5. ^ Sandiford, p. 90.
  6. ^ "In This Timeless Time". Publishers Weekly. 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2019-07-24.

External links[]


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