Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
#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
“[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
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Community Reviews
This was a great first read for our new SJBC. There were so many issues to be made aware of and to discuss. My eyes were opened to the unfairness and corruption that occur in the criminal justice system, especially in the South. It was a sad and difficult read, but I’m glad that Mr. Stevenson shared his story and commitment to improving the system and saving innocent lives.
Meeting summary for Arneva Smith's Zoom Meeting (07/16/2025)
Quick recap
The group discussed their reading experiences of "Just Mercy," focusing on Walter Macmillan's case and exploring themes of racial injustice, wrongful convictions, and systemic issues in the justice system. Personal stories and experiences were shared, including Arneva's own case work and encounters with racial profiling, while the group analyzed characters and lessons from the book. The discussion concluded with plans for future book club selections and a brief conversation about current social issues and personal projects.
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Summary
Exploring Racial Injustices in Justice System
The group discussed their reading experiences of a book structured around Walter Macmillan's case, with particular resonance from the stories of children affected by the justice system. Arneva shared a personal case from her time working in Arkansas involving a teenager wrongfully accused of raping three white girls, highlighting ongoing racial injustices. The discussion explored how historical contexts of slavery and Jim Crow continue to influence current ethnic incarceration rates, with participants noting how the book revealed systemic issues including paid false testimonies and the exploitation of prison labor.
Bryan Stevenson's Legal Advocacy Journey
The discussion focused on Bryan Stevenson's motivations and approach to defending death row inmates, with Arneva and iPad agreeing that while Stevenson's background influenced his worldview, his commitment to the cause was primarily inspired by his experiences in the legal system and witnessing injustice firsthand. They concluded that Stevenson was the central figure of the book, though Walter McMillan's case served as a key catalyst that drove Stevenson's work and highlighted systemic racial injustices.
Just Mercy" Discussion Insights
The group discussed their reactions to the book "Just Mercy," focusing on Walter's case and the broader issues of racial injustice and wrongful convictions. Arneva shared her personal connection to the story, highlighting the challenges faced by young people in the criminal justice system and the complexities of working within organizations dedicated to social justice. The discussion touched on the book's structure, the impact of the cases described, and the importance of empathy and outrage in addressing systemic inequalities.
Racial Profiling and Personal Experiences
Arneva shared her experiences of racial profiling and harassment of her family members, particularly her sons and grandsons, by law enforcement in their neighborhood. She discussed the challenges faced by women who were sexually assaulted and had children with correction officers, as well as a personal story about a cousin who was raped by an intern in a psychiatric hospital. The group also talked about their favorite and least favorite characters in a book or film, with William Stevenson being praised for his dedication and storytelling abilities, and the sheriff being criticized for corruption.
Rural Life and Personal Choices
Arneva discussed the challenges and reasons people face when deciding to stay in or leave their hometowns, particularly focusing on rural areas with corrupt law enforcement. She shared personal anecdotes about family members who chose to return to small towns despite having opportunities to live elsewhere, highlighting their sense of belonging and contribution to their communities. Arneva emphasized the importance of understanding individual preferences and sensitivities, suggesting that if people accepted diversity and personal differences, conflicts such as wars might be reduced.
Just Mercy" Book Discussion
The group discussed characters from the book "Just Mercy," with iPad identifying Alabama as their least favorite character due to its slow progress and policy violations. Lillian shared that she related to two characters: a black woman who overcame her fear to attend court and a woman who supported Bryan Stevenson outside the courtroom. The group then discussed three key lessons from the book: the injustice of wrongful incarceration, the ongoing fight against poverty and racism, and the various ways racism is practiced. Finally, they selected "The Secret Keeper of Main Street" by Tricia Goyer as their next book club read.
Immigration and Prison Policy Critique
Arneva discussed the opening of new prisons in the United States and expressed concern about the treatment of immigrants, including the potential for disappearances and the impact of mass arrests. She criticized the current administration's policies and suggested that protests by people of different races could have an impact on those seeking re-election. Arneva also commented on the controversy surrounding the Epstein files and the double standard applied to different political figures.
Book Project and Travel Plans
Arneva discussed a book project with Ira, including the process of aging pages using coffee or tea to create stained effects. They planned a trip to see Bridget on September 10th, which would involve a 1.5-hour drive, breakfast, sightseeing, and returning home by 2 or 3 PM. Arneva expressed pride in the project and mentioned having more books to share at a future meeting.
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After watching the movie I knew I needed to read this memoir. I really liked how every other chapter tied back to Walter McMillan’s story and every other chapter tied back to Bryan Stevenson’s other work beyond those on death row. The cases about minors sentenced to life in prison were some of the hardest to read.
My favorite quote from the book:
"Today, our self-righteousness, our fear, and our anger have caused even the Christians to throw stones at the people who fall down, even when we know we should forgive or show compassion. I told the congregation that we simply can't watch that happen. I told them we have to be stone catchers."
My favorite quote from the book:
"Today, our self-righteousness, our fear, and our anger have caused even the Christians to throw stones at the people who fall down, even when we know we should forgive or show compassion. I told the congregation that we simply can't watch that happen. I told them we have to be stone catchers."
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