Over 1,500 death row inmates have been executed in the united states since capital punishment was reauthorized in 1976, 565 of whom were put to death in the state of texas alone. In rising chronological order, with death date specified. Americas diverse heritage is stamped even onto its killers final moments. Last words of the executed death penalty information. Elder, the book explores the cultural value of these final statements and asks what we can learn from them. Smashwords 50 last words of executed criminals a book.
The grisly thought about a deathbed might be quite unnerving for anyone, but not for these famous people. He also responded to questions from members of the audience. May 28, 2010 last words of the executed by robert k. Elders new book, last words of the executed, gathers the final words of hundreds of people sentenced to death in america. In a new book, last words of the executed, robert k. The last words of 565 death row inmates executed in the state of texas since 1982. Aida edemariam reads through their final statements. True to its title, the book is a collection of final statements by death row prisoners. Knowing the last words that someone spoke can sometimes throw light on their character or on the circumstances in which they died. Each day, we are posting excerpts from the book, plus outtakes, by date of execution. Last words of the executed is not a heavyhanded political book on the death penalty. Last words of the executed navy general library program. From colonial era public hangings to the last moments before a lethal injection, northwestern journalism teacher elder revisits the final words of the condemned, both famous and forgotten.
His last words were i did not get my spaghettios, i got spaghetti. George cudmore was on march 25, 1830 executed at devon county gaol, the presentday site of exeter prison. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Buy last words of the executed by robert k elder isbn. Wanting to run off with his mistress, cudmore slipped his wife a lethal dose of the 19th centurys prolific domestic assassin, arsenic. Robert elder talked about his book, last words of the executed university of chicago press, 2010, in conversation with adam cohen. It includes also some of the statements made and dispatches issued by the leaders during the week, at the surrender, and after it, as well as some references to. This book is a compilation of the last written words of the men who were executed after the rising of easter week, 1916. Last words of the executed is not a political book.
Mac lochlainn kilmainham jail restoration society, 1971 history 217 pages. It is not only of excellent historic and cultural value it is a very interesting read. After each quotation, elder, a former staff writer for the chicago tribune, presents a lean brief of the crime, along with any essential details of the trial and the. Elder, amply documents, there have been over sixteen thousand executions in this country and a vast record of final pronouncements taken from prison records, eyewitness statements, newspaper accounts, period diaries and written statements. The official website of last words of the executed by robert k. You cant help but feel that some of the last quotes by famous people on this list encapsulate their personas. Elder compiles the final utterances of many of those sentenced to death in our country over the past three hundred and fifty years.
Elder has compiled what is the best compilation and portrait of last words of executed persons published to date. Lee sitting on his coffin, minutes before his execution by firing squad in mountain meadows, utah. Elders last words of the executed is, for sure, is fascinating. Slide 1 of 25 for the next slide, scroll down and click next page. John wayne gacy, convicted of the rape and murder and executed by lethal injection in1994. Goodbye, warden the last words of death row inmates.
Jul 07, 2010 since then, as last words of the executed, an enthralling book by robert k. Last words are fascinating and last words of those about to executed are often the most fascinating. Sep 19, 2006 the last words of the 376 prisoners executed in texas since 1982 are faithfully recorded on the state justice departments website. Last words of the executed presents an oral history of american capital punishment, as heard from the gallows, the chair, and the gurney.
An oral history of the death penalty in the united states. This book will give you an insight into the mind of a criminal in their last moments and demonstrate what an impossible task it is to choose your last words for humanity to hear. An excerpt from last words of the executed by robert k. Studs terkel death waits for us all, but only those sentenced to death know the day and the hour and only they can be sure that their last words will be recorded for posterity. If there is controversy or uncertainty concerning a persons last words, this is described in footnotes. Jan 01, 2010 robert elder 00 was in his midtwenties and single when he began researching his book, last words of the executed university of chicago press, 2010, a compilation of the final statements of more than 900 convicted criminals who faced death by hanging, firing squad, electric chair, or lethal injections. Since then, as last words of the executed, an enthralling book by robert k. Witnesses to the execution included his attorney millard farmer and deathpenalty opponent sister helen prejean, who served as his spiritual adviser. Jun 12, 2010 robert elder talked about his book, last words of the executed university of chicago press, 2010, in conversation with adam cohen.
Spanning 5 centuries, the quotes range from the fierce to the. All chicago ebooks are on sale at 30% off with the code ebook30. Executed july 20, 1987 serial rapist celestine faced the electric chair for the rape, beating, and strangulation of eightyoneyearold marceliane richard. Elder was on nbcs last call with carson daly recently. Nearly 3,000 prisoners are currently waiting on death row for their executions. Hickock met perry smith in prison, where the two concocted a plan to rob the clutter family of ten thousand dollars that they supposedly kept in a safe at home. Elder, with a foreword by studs terkel sister helen prejean, author of dead man walking, has praised the project and called it, a dangerous book this is a nonpolitical work, simply asking, if these are the most reviled, outcast members of societywhy does it remain a cultural value to record what they. The book, with a foreword by studs terkel, also describes the crime and some of the social setting of each case presented. May 15, 2010 last words are fascinating and last words of those about to executed are often the most fascinating. Elder is a compilation of the final statements of death row inmates shortly before their execution. The last words of the 376 prisoners executed in texas.
Rather, elder simply asks readers to listen closely to what they condemned have to say. For information on purchasing the book from bookstores or here onlineplease go to the webpage for last words of the executed. Final words of more than 3500 noteworthy people throughout history. By the time he completed the book, he was thirtythree, married, and the father of one. Five final statements from last words of the executed by robert k. If relevant, also the context of the words or the circumstances of death are specified. Last words of the executed free pdf, chm, djvu, fb2.
Last words of the executed, elder, terkel university of chicago press. Lee was executed on mountain meadows, washington county, utah territory, at the scene of the massacre, on the 28d day of march, 1877. Grasso was executed in oklahoma on march 20, 1995 for a two murders. Last words of the executed is unlikely to bring peace to its readersespecially those with misgivings about capital punishment. After finding no money, the convicts murdered all four family members. The last words of the 376 prisoners executed in texas since. This book explores the last words of 50 criminals facing execution, ranging from angry outbursts at the injustice of it, to pleas of innocence and begs for mercy. The product of seven years of extensive research by journalist robert k. The chapters are organized by era and method of execution. He requested his last meal to be spaghettios, but instead he was given spaghetti and meatballs. The book documents the final words of death row inmates in the united states, from the seventeenth century to the present day. Five final statements from last words of the executed by.
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