Proximity to Death (Magill’s Literary Annual 1991-2005)
At a glance:
- Author: William S. McFeely
- First Published: 1999
- Type of Work: Current affairs and ethics
- Time of Work: The 1990’s
- Setting: The Deep South
- Principal Characters: William S. McFeely, Stephen Bright, Kenny, William, Carzell, Tony
- Genres: Nonfiction, Current affairs, Law and jurisprudence
- Subjects: Prisoners, Racism, Crime or criminals, Murder or homicide, South or Southerners, Capital punishment, Death or dying, 1990’s, Courts or courtrooms
- Locales: South (U.S.)
What could be a better substitute for sheep-counting than a book of nonfiction on the death penalty? Add a pinch of historian and presidential biographer and a sprinkle of statistics, and the result promises a reliable recipe for a soporific evening. The formula is not a new one. One anticipates an inedible if generous repast: ponderous page upon page slathered with tiresome facts, graphic descriptions of the methods of death, and predictable cruel-and-unusual-punishment arguments. The reader is pleasantly surprised, therefore, to encounter a book which could well pass as a novel, and...
[The entire page is 1937 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
