Just Mercy

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 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.

Book club questions for Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

In the introduction, Bryan Stevenson discusses his grandmother’s background and what impact that had on his career choices. What from your own personal background has influenced your career choices?

Stevenson wished he had been more assertive with the police while they were illegally searching his car. Do you think that would have been effective? How would you recommend someone respond in a similar situation?

Walter was both poor and black. Do you think his story would have played out the same if he had been a wealthy black man? What if he had been poor and white?

Is justice being served when minors receive life-in-prison sentences? In your opinion, are there ever reasonable situations where minors should be charged as adults?

Do you find Walter’s case to represent the best or the worst—or something else—of our justice system?

Just Mercy Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Just Mercy discussion questions

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN • Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times • The Washington Post • The Boston Globe • The Seattle Times • Esquire • Time

This recommended reading and discussion guide are shared in partnership with One World, an imprint of Penguin Random House.