Jacob Have I Loved

Book Description

Esau have I hated . . .

Sara Louise Bradshaw is sick and tired of her beautiful twin Caroline. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister. Even now, Caroline seems to take everything: Louise's friends, their parents' love, her dreams for the future.

For once in her life, Louise wants to be the special one. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is . . . and find a way to make a place for herself outside her sister's shadow.

Customer Reviews:

Newberry definitely UNDESERVING!.......2007-07-17

When I picked up this book, I thought it would be great. It had a good cover, and I thought it would be about Louise fighting for a place in the world, and then happily finding it. I never even DREAMED that it would be as REPULSIVE as a girl falling in love (SHES 14) with a 70-year-old MAN! And Caroline. Though Caroline did sometimes get ahead of herself, and though she was arrogant, she never knew what drove Louise to have such an attitude against her. She was quite clueless about Louise's angry, despairing, jealous feelings. So why was Louise so sad? I mean, I know Caroline was treated better, but that's sometimes how it is in family politics. And when she had someone all along: Call. Call was her childhood best friend, and he was a great comfort. Or would've been to ME. He was always there for her even though she had that attitude due to her problems. But then she fell in LOVE with a 70-year-old who should've married her grandma? WHAT WAS THAT? I am just appalled at the THOUGHT! And then she got all mad again at Caroline when she got engaged to Call. It just so RANDOMLY said that she fell in love with Call when he got engaged to Caroline, and then she wanted him back! Well...im sorry, but heLLO? HE WAS THERE ALL ALONG. And now suddenly when he got engaged she wants him? That makes no sense. But this was the stupidest part...the ending: She has become a doctor and lives on a moutain away from Caroline and her family like she wanted to, and is a doctor. Then this farmer comes in with 2 sick babies, and she tends them, and they marry. AND IT DOESNT EVEN SAY IF SHE LOVED HIM!

The only thing OK about the book is that it doesnt end all happy and it displays real life a BIT, except for the fact that she can fall in love with a man who's 70. THAT is not what ANYONE would do...unless they're around 70. You know, even 10-year-olds like me could write better books. In fact, I think I'm going to go try right noW!

I know this is not a good word to use but it was crap, crap, crap, crap. I hated the book...what a WASTE OF TIME!

P.S. Bridge to Teribithia also by her is pretty sad, but it is really good and is much better!

Not worth the medal.......2007-07-06

Jacob Have I Loved appeared a book of good morals. Plus, with the medal on the front cover why wouldn't you try it out? I was truly disappointed because the book had no morals at all. This story starts out with a young girl, Sara Louise, trying to find her own talents and self-confidence. She is continually hindered by her constant comparision to her beautiful and talented twin, Caroline. Sara Louise struggles inwardly with the favored attention Caroline receives. Also, Sara's parents fail to understand (and ignore) her depressing attitude (that seems to linger to end of the book). Her "granny" plays continual politics between the twins and not bothering to hide it either. Sara Louise's only comfort is with an old man of a grouch, whom she has a crush on. Completely disgusting, to which the author writes as "normal and acceptable". Sara Louise also fails to recognize how kind her best friend (I forgot his name) is for sticking up with her griping mood. Though he is described as "unintelligent", when he grows up to a young man and marries Caroline he suddenly becomes "intelligent". No explanation as to why. Meanwhile, Sara Louise notices her friend's change of mind and starts liking him right when he announces his engagment to Caroline. She's heartbroken and is forced (by her own will) to leave the island on which she lives to the mountains. There, she becomes a nurse and treats the mountain people. From here, the author rushes the ending on a few pages to say she married a farmer with a handful of kids...the end. No explanation if Sara Louise truly loved the farmer, and she never resolves her emotions on how different she is from Caroline in a unique way. This book DID NOT deserve the medal unless the Newberry standards are so low that a ten-year old who wrote a depressing story like this could win the medal. I should try.

Good Ending.......2007-03-27

I found the beginning of the book to be a little boring. Which is probably because I did not understand some of the terms related to fishing; especially since I am not from a small fishing island. Yet I also understand that an author needs to develop the setting of a story so the reader has some sort of background of where the characters are from.
However as the book went on I found it to be more entertaining, especially when I got to the parts about the manner in which Sara Louise describes her sister. My heart did go out to Sara Louise because I felt bad for her, because she was not recognized for what she could do.
At the end of the book I did find closure, which is something I need at the end of a book. The reason I need it is because then I feel like I truly finished the story and feel relieved. The book definitely had a good ending and it tells what happens to everyone. I know closure is a big deal to me so I figured it might be for other readers as well.

Is Your Future Predetermined?.......2007-03-05

In biblical times Jacob and Esau were brothers. And you'd think since they were twins they'd be treated pretty much alike, but they weren't. It turns out that Jacob is given the "Blessing" even though Esau is the first one born and traditionally entitled to this favored treatment. It turns out, too, that fate had predetermined this.

In this modern-day story, Sara Louise, like Esau--a twin and first born--feels unloved and unable to get the respect and attention her prettier, more talented and better-liked twin sister, Caroline, enjoys. And Sara feels jealousy and bitterness. Was this predetermined, too? Is this her unhappy fate? Even she is not sure. And it will be tough for you to decide, too,...until the end. (Suitable for junior high and up.)

An adult review.......2007-02-14

This book focuses on a young tomboy named Louise, who grows up on a small island in the US named Rass in the WWII era. No matter how hard se works to be the good daughter her sister still shines brighter her. You follow Louise's life as she grows up, losing her hard earned crabbing money to her sister, her parents praise, her cosmetics, and eventualy her closest friend who is a boy. Is their anything her sister won't take? Yes. Louises determination to grow up.

This is a great book I read it when I was 12, agian when I was 16, and at 22 I finaly bought it and read it agian. Anything Katherine Paterson writes will leave the reader touched and knowing they are not alone in the trials of life.

Average customer rating:

A true demonstration of compassion and firm challange
Frank and Inspiring
A Romantic Classic...
Terrific And Touching
Phenominal book!!!

I Loved a Girl
Walter Trobisch
Manufacturer: Quiet Waters Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1931475016

Book Description

The spiritual vision of Trobisch's classic answers to love's questions is reproduced here in a new edition.

Customer Reviews:

A true demonstration of compassion and firm challange.......2006-03-13

This is an excellent story about real people who have real struggles and yet, through it all, are seeking God and His will. Francois is a modern day Jacob who wrestles with God and refuses to give in until God blesses him. All the people in this story disappoint at one time or another. However, that serves to illustrate God's love and faithfulness all the more. It is a true example of Romans 8:28 - All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Because the book is a compilation of private letters, there is a real sense of the pain and struggle that Francois is going through, and of the sympathy and compassion of Pastor Trobisch. One can easily relate to the characters.

As one aspiring to become a pastor this book was incredibly helpful, the compassion that Pastor Trobisch shows toward Francois while at the same time being firm and clearly and convincingly discussing Biblical principles regarding sex, love, and marriage, is truly moving. It was an excellent example of how to counsel someone who is truly struggling and seeking God.

And as a young man myself, it was helpful to see I have a brother who struggles with love, hope, and disappointment. The words Pastor Trobisch writes to Francois were very helpful and encouraging to me as well.

Some secondary issues: Because Francois is a young African man, the problems he faces, and the interaction between him and Pastor Trobisch - a European missionary - has an added color which both makes the story interesting and demonstrates the difficultly of trying to balance Biblical principles, and respecting cultural traditions. Furthermore, Francois, despite being spiritually immature in many issues demonstrates a remarkable understanding for the importance of the Lord's Supper which is lacking in most Western evangelical churches. Also, church discipline comes up a number of times and demonstrates the human tendency to be a pendulum. The African churches misuse church disciple, using it to punish instead of draw people to repentance (I Cor. 5). At the same time, it is obvious that the Western church has neglected the use of church discipline out of fear of misusing it. It should be noted that although the African church was too strict and unforgiving, Francois would not have been driven to write to Pastor Trobisch if he had not be disciplined. By neglecting church discipline churches damage their members instead of showing them grace and mercy.

This is an excellent book, and, although not without its faults, certainly worth the money and time. I strongly recommend it.

Frank and Inspiring.......2005-02-06

Earlier this year, a man I respected gave me a copy of Trobisch's book Love is a Feeling to be Learned. It was very challenging. When the former pastor of my church gave me a copy of I Loved a Girl a few weeks ago, I was excited to read it. I was not disappointed.

This is a chronological collection of letters between two young lovers from Cameroon and their pastor, Trobisch. Initially the concern is the nature and place of sex--"knowing" a woman--it quickly turns to much deeper matters: those of true love and what it really means to fight for a woman's heart. I started reading it last night and stayed up until I finished it, which is rare for me. If you want one book to succintly drive home straight talk about sex, relationships, love, and pursuing your beloved, then this is it!

I really appreciate all parties' transparency and candor in the letters that were written; these are real letters from real people struggling with real issues. Beware: you will be moved and challenged!

Also, I've found that this might be a great book to give to someone considering Christianity but wary of its "outdated" morality. Trobisch really highlights the beauty and purpose of taking male-female relationships God's way instead of man's way.

A Romantic Classic..........2004-07-03

This book is one I think everyone should read. It is inspirational, and expresses in totality what true love really is.
"I Loved A Girl" is a book of private letters written between two young Africans, Francois and Cecile and their Pastor. In these letters they express their unconditional love for each other combined with the love of Christ.
This is definitly a story that should be shared with couples, or those who ever been in love.

Terrific And Touching.......2003-06-30

Every teenager should read this book. It is straight to the point. The moment you open the book, it has you enchanted! It isn't even long! I finished it in a day. Nobody will be intimitated by it. It is a great book!

Phenominal book!!!.......2002-06-20

This book should be required reading for anyone who wants to be married or desires to be a mature and loving man or woman. It is tender while remaining straightforward amd informative. The author answers much asked and not often answered questions in a loving way. I counsel young people and recommend this book to them. This is a timeless classic!

Average customer rating:

I Loved a Girl
Walter Trobisch (editor)
Manufacturer: Harper ChapelBooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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I Loved a Girl

ASIN: B000GOLGN0

Average customer rating:

Brain Candy (in a good way)
A Quick, Enjoyable Read
Cute and Funny
Familiar Plot, Amusing Character
Good read with some flaws

The Boy I Loved Before
Jenny Colgan
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312331983
Release Date: 2005-02-10

Book Description

While attending her best friend Sashy's wedding, Flora Scurrison realizes that this monotonous, nine-to-five, cookie-cutter life is exactly what's in store for her. While it might be okay for Sashy, it's certainly not what she envisioned for herself when she was sixteen. So when her boyfriend proposes to her during the reception, Flora makes a wish to go back and do it all over again. The next morning she wakes up to find that she has been given the ultimate second chance--she's sixteen again. As Flora navigates school, first loves--new and old--and discovers what it really means to make adult choices, will she stay in her new body or try and find her way home?

Customer Reviews:

Brain Candy (in a good way).......2006-06-15

This is a fairly typical chick-lit sort of novel, which is not a bad thing.
There's a British girl who has a curvy-sort-of figure, and she's
dissatisfied with her love life and career. Sound familiar? Okay, what
if that girl somehow manages to enter into another realm, where she
and her parents are somehow younger, but everyone else has
stayed the same? What if her parents are completely oblivious to
what's going on, and insist that she goes to school and obey
curfew? And what if this girl takes up with the younger brother of
that gorgeous boy she knew in high school, you know, "the one who
got away"?

That is the premise of The Boy I Loved Before, a very clever, fun
story with few flaws. True, it's a little hard to understand how the
main character Flora manages to become younger and her parents
have forgotten but she and her friends haven't, etc. etc., but if you
can get past that sticky point, then you've got a fun novel which will
appeal to high school age on up. If you're looking for a good chick
lit book with an extremely interesting twist, then look no further, The
Boy I Loved Before is for you!

A Quick, Enjoyable Read.......2006-04-10

I have a confession to make. I normally don't read books set in England. I don't know why; maybe it's because I can't relate to the locations. I pulled this off the shelf at the library and didn't realize it was set in England until I began reading it. I almost stopped right there, but the storyline is one of my favorites so I continued. I am glad I did.

Colgan was able to capture the confusion of her character and the incredible sense of a 32-year old being trapped in a 16-year old's body. I loved that. How amazing it would be to be able to "see" oneself at that age once again. It's easy to look back on our teenage years and think life was great, but we certainly do forget how confining it was and how, once we get used to the freedoms of adulthood, it would be impossible to go backwards.

I liked the character and found her situation to be both silly and interesting. I also like the conclusion of the story. It was very satisfying. All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and read it in one sitting. And yes, I also noticed the errors in Tashy's name in the questions at the end of the book!

Cute and Funny.......2005-07-20

The Boy I Loved Before by Jenny Colgan is an interesting take on a known concept. While at her best friend's wedding, thirty-two year old Flora wishes to be sixteen again. Her wish is granted, but with a unique twist: she does not go back in time sixteen years and relive her teenagedom in the 80s, but rather in the present day.

The writing was quite lively and made me laugh out loud many times. Pop culture references run rampant throughout the book. Flora is silly, serious, selfish and selfless in turns, realizing that she never really grew up, but that adulthood does have its good points.

If you enjoy books or films that employ the "be careful what you wish for" / "wanting to be young again" plotline, and if you enjoy comedies, definitely check out this book. It's worth the read.

Familiar Plot, Amusing Character.......2005-05-29

Unless you live in a hut, we've all seen the movies where a character is suddenly tranferred back to her youth (Jennifer Garner in particular?)
Flora, the novel's heroine, encounters that moment at a friend's wedding where she wants to do it all over again.
Considering I didn't finsh the novel because there wasn't enough of a draw to the writing style and story line to keep my attention, readers may enjoy the likable heroine.

Good read with some flaws.......2005-05-28

The story itself was an interesting concept, and I enjoyed the ending, which is crucial to whether or not I actually recommend a book. The book did have some flaws. Some parts of the book were too drawn out and for a story like this one, it good have been slightly more compact. All in all, a good read if you can get into it and stay into it.

Average customer rating:

Girl I Loved
James W Riley
Manufacturer: GROSSET & DUNLAP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDVCEA

Average customer rating:

Girl I Loved The
James Whitcomb Riley
Manufacturer: Fredonia Books (NL)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Anthologies | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

A song-story of love with pathos and humor exquisitely blended, the spirit of which Howard Chandler Christy catches admirably in his charming drawings.

Average customer rating:

The girl I loved,
James Whitcomb Riley
Manufacturer: The Bobbs-Merrill Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Average customer rating:

The GIRL I LOVED.
James Whitcomb Riley
Manufacturer: Bobbs-Merrill Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OFIWXI

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I Loved A Girl
Walter Trobisch
Manufacturer: United Society For Christian Literature
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UI7YKQ

Average customer rating:

I Loved A Girl

Manufacturer: United Society For Christian Literature
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000BVM2P4

Average customer rating:

Informative,but...

"In a League of its Own"

The Solomons Campaigns, 1942-1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville--Pacific War Turning Point, Volume 2 (Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in WWII)
William L. McGee
Manufacturer: BMC Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0970167873

Product Description

FROM THE BACK COVER

THE SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS, Volume 2 in William L. McGee's three-part series, AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC IN WWII, follows the new landing craft crews featured in Volume 1, THE AMPHIBIANS ARE COMING!, as they move up the Slot with each new campaign. All the Solomons Campaigns, from Guadalcanal to Bougainville, are described.

THE SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS - The Major Turning Point in the Pacific War. The U.S. halted the Japanese advance at Midway and the Coral Sea. But in the Solomons, the U.S. not only stopped them, they began pushing them back!

Part I, The Southern Solomons covers the bloody six-month struggle for Guadalcanal. The relationship between ground fighting, naval warfare and air combat is described in considerable detail as first one side and then the other gains the advantage. Seven major naval engagements are recounted.

Part II, The Central Solomons chronicles the amphibious operations in the New Georgia Islands group including the five separate landings at Rendova, Segi Point, Viru Harbor, Wickham Anchorage, and Rice Anchorage, plus three more significant naval battles and the occupation of Vella Lavella.

Part III, The Northern Solomons recounts the seizure of the Treasuries, the Choiseul Diversion and the Bougainville campaign, plus two more significant naval battles.

Lessons Learned, Finally, the many valuable lessons learned during the Solomons Campaigns are summarized, ranging from logistic support and force requirements to offshore toeholds and leapfrogging. Most became doctrine in later Pacific campaigns.

Customer Reviews:

Informative,but..........2002-11-07

William L Magee's account of these pivotal and complex series of battles in the Solomon Islands during the Pacific War,is both detailed and informative. His research has obviously been indepth and displays accuracy. I was disappointed, however, at the degree of 'redneck' language. Terms like 'Japs', 'Nipponese', 'sent to their ancestors',and others cheapened the quality of the rest of the text. US dead and injured were treated with respect in the book, why not the Japanese? Surely an historical account written in 2001 doesn't have to sound like the script of a John Wayne movie of the 1950's!

"In a League of its Own".......2002-02-07

Author, WWII Navy veteran and military historian William L. McGee has done it again! His Volume I, "The Amphibians Are Coming!" was a fabulous work, but Volume II, "The Solomons Campaigns" is in a league of its own.

Readers get a firsthand account of the way it was done with LCIs, LCTs and LSTs as they hauled the Marines, Army and Air Force and their tools of war in the Pacific Theater.

Navy and coast guardsmen can more fully appreciate the role they played in those flat-bottomed, hard-riding sand and coral scrappers.

This volume covers Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Gavutu, Savo Island, Cape Esperance, Santa Cruz, Tassafaronga, Rennell Island and the Russells from the beginning to the bitter end.

The part most readers will be enlightened by is Chapter 9, "Lessons Learned in the Solomons" by the Army, Navy and Marines. These lessons were beneficial to later Pacific campaigns.

This is a great source book for abbreviations, acronyms, ship and aircraft designations, code words, map symbols and listings of amphibious ship and craft. The book also provides the best possible use of maps and charts to illustrate the action. Most pages include photos of the event written about--some shown for the first time.

I highly recommend "The Solomons Campaigns" by William L. McGee to those who served in the South Pacific or to those who have a special interest in the Pacific Theater of WWII.

Get your copy now!

Book Description

Koburger argues that the many battles that constituted the campaign for the Solomons were the key to victory in the Pacific for the U.S. Navy--not the battle of the Coral Sea or the Battle of Midway. Segments of the campaign--Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Bougainville--have been written about extensively. But never before has the entire campaign been put together so lucidly and interpreted so well. The descriptions of the naval battles make for compelling reading. Even in World War II, Koburger argues, the important naval struggles took place in "the narrow seas."

Customer Reviews:

some good detail, but poor writing........2006-09-07

This was a short overview look at the Solomons campaign. The writitng style was amatuerish and could have used an editor. It reads like a undergraduate term paper. Two of the maps were transposed as well. Still, it provides a good introduction to the campaign. Wilmott's 'The War with Japan' was a better history, but did not offer as much specific detail on this campaign.

Average customer rating:

A scathing verdict on the U.S. criminal justice system.

True Crime Stories

Unjustly imprisoned

BUY THE PAPERBACK

So true

Actual Innocence: Five Days to Execution, and Other Dispatches From the Wrongly Convicted
Barry Scheck , Peter Neufeld , and Jim Dwyer
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Wrongly Convicted: Perspectives on Failed Justice

ASIN: 038549341X

Amazon.com

The Innocence Project is a pro bono civil rights organization that helps innocent people who have been unjustly imprisoned win their freedom through DNA testing. Run by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld (known for their roles in the O.J. Simpson murder trial), the project has thus far managed to free 43 wrongly convicted people and has taken on the cases of over 200 more. In Actual Innocence, Scheck, Neufeld, and Pulitzer-winning columnist Jim Dwyer tell the stories of 10 of the men they have helped. How did these men wind up in prison--some on death row--for rapes and murders they didn't commit? The causes range from mistaken identification by the victims to sloppy police work--and, in some cases, outright dereliction of duty or fabrication of evidence. Far too often, cops lock on to their suspect early and decide that their instincts can't possibly be wrong--an attitude that can persist even after the falsely accused has been exonerated. "If he is innocent," says one investigator of a man who spent seven years in prison, "I wish him a good life, but I will have no remorse for him. I have no remorse for anyone that I have ever arrested."

Though the writing is not always graceful, what matters in Actual Innocence is not the quality of the prose but the importance of the Innocence Project's work. Scheck and Neufeld's commitment to justice is evident in each of these stories, and the problems they force us to address--not just concerning the imprisonment of innocent people but in restoring their lives upon release--cannot be ignored.

Book Description

Extraordinarily powerful stories of ordinary people locked up for crimes they did not commit, and how they were freed against great odds.

A nightmare from a thousand B-movies: a horrible crime is committed in your neighborhood, and the police knock at your door. A witness swears you are the perpetrator; you have no alibi, and no one believes your protestations of innocence. You're convicted, sentenced to hard time in maximum security, or even death row, where you await the executioner's needle.

Tragically, this is no movie script but reality for hundreds of American citizens. Our criminal justice system is broken, and people from all walks of life have been destroyed by its failures. But science and a group of incredibly dedicated crusaders are working to repair the damage.

In the last ten years, DNA testing has uncovered stone-cold proof that sixty-five completely innocent people have been sent to prison and death row. But even in cases where there is physical evidence, the criminal justice system frees prisoners only after a torturous legal process. Incredibly, according to many trial judges, "actual innocence" is not grounds for release from prison.

At the Innocence Project, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld have helped to free thirty-seven wrongly convicted people, and have taken up the cause of hundreds more. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Jim Dwyer has been covering innocence cases for a decade. In Actual Innocence, Scheck, Neufeld, and Dwyer relate the harrowing stories of ten innocent men--convicted by sloppy police work, corrupt prosecutors, jailhouse snitches, mistaken eyewitnesses, and other all-too-common flaws of the trial system--and tell of the heroic efforts to free them.

Intense, startling, and utterly compelling, Actual Innocence is a passionate and fascinating journey through the looking glass of the American criminal justice system.

Tragically, this is no movie script but reality for hundreds of American citizens. Our criminal justice system is broken, and people from all walks of life have been destroyed by its failures. But science and a group of incredibly dedicated lawyers are working to repair the damage.

In the last decade of this century, DNA testing has uncovered stone-cold proof that fifty-five completely innocent people were sent to prison and death row. At the Innocence Project, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld have managed to free forty-three wrongly convicted people and have taken up the cause of two hundred more. Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Jim Dwyer covered this courthouse revolution from its very first days. In Actual Innocence, Scheck, Neufeld, and Dwyer relate the harrowing stories of ten of these individuals--convicted by sloppy police work, corrupt prosecutors, jailhouse snitches, mistaken witnesses, inept lawyers, and other all-too-common flaws in the trial system--and tell of the heroic efforts to free them.

Intense, harrowing, and compelling, Actual Innocence is a passionate argument for sanity in our courtrooms and a fascinating journey through the looking glass of the American criminal justice system. -->

Customer Reviews:

A scathing verdict on the U.S. criminal justice system........2006-08-31

"Our procedure has been always haunted by the ghost of the innocent man convicted." -- U.S. v. Garsson, D.C., 291 F. 646, 649 (1923) (Judge Learned Hand)

While you may find "Actual Innocence" in the "true crime" section of your bookstore, this is not your typical fare of a more or less well-written and soon-to-be-TV-movie account of a harrowing crime, or series of crimes. And while the book undeniably shows the hands of two lawyers who know how to craft a closing argument, and a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, this is at heart, as the authors point out - and disturbingly so - a "work of nonfiction."

"Actual innocence" is an account of the work of Scheck's and Neufeld's "Innocence Project," describing some of the Project's most prominent and successful cases, and a scathing condemnation of the shortcomings of the American system of criminal justice - particularly, under the Supreme Court's holding in Herrera v. Collins, 506 U.S. 390, 404 (1993) (Rehnquist, C.J.) that "a claim of 'actual innocence' is not itself a constitutional claim." Under Herrera and the cases following it, a federal court can reject a defendant's petition for relief even if it is based on proof of innocence, even if that proof is, as in the cases represented by the Innocence Project, of a scientific nature (DNA evidence showing that the defendant cannot have committed the crime he has been convicted of), and even if the deadlines for submitting that proof are so short that it is virtually impossible for a defendant to present evidence obtained post-conviction in time for a consideration at least in the state court system, which review has to precede a review by the federal courts.

In Herrera, the Supreme Court upheld a Texas death sentence after the defendant had missed the state law's 30-day deadline to get a new trial based on new evidence. And while that particular case involved questions of the reliability of circumstantial evidence, admissions of guilt and eyewitness identifications (briefly, at night and without live testimony by one of the witnesses), these exclusionary rules apply regardless of the type of evidence presented. In the cases that Scheck, Neufeld and Dwyer describe here, this sometimes meant that DNA evidence which, due to scientific advances, had only become available years after the conviction, was not admitted, even if it conclusively proved that the wrong person had been convicted. The defendants were left to petition for executive clemency, which is discretionary and frequently depends on the amount of political pressure exercised.

It is often argued, particularly by proponents of the death penalty, that the criminal justice system functions well, and that even in the best system, regrettable errors cannot be prevented. The authors of "Actual Innocence" make a compelling case for the contrary. Even if a lawyer's shortcomings in the representation of his client may, in theory, lead to the reversal of a conviction, the bar here is almost as high as that for the presentation of proof of innocence. In Texas, e.g., not even a lawyer sleeping during the trial or showing up drunk is considered ineffective and, like in other states, most mistakes made out of inexperience with the handling of murder/felony trials will not be enough to support a reversal, either. Moreover, scientific evidence, such as a "DNA fingerprint," is often not available to indigent defendants, who are most likely to be hurt by inefficient trial attorneys because they lack the means to hire counsel experienced and sophisticated enough to handle a trial of that nature. These more often than not are the ingredients of a cocktail which, without timely and forceful intervention, can be as lethal as the death penalty itself; even if there is not, in addition, abuse on the prosecutorial side - failure to fully investigate and/or disclose the evidence available in the case (including exculpatory evidence), racial bias in the jury selection, misconduct by scientists acting as the government's experts, etc.

American TV often broadcasts reports on persons released from prison, sometimes only days before their execution, based on belated proof of their innocence. All of these cases expose, in differing ways, the inherent weaknesses of the country's criminal justice system. While I did not practice in the U.S. long enough to echo the verdict handed down by the Scheck, Neufeld and Dwyer, who declare the American criminal justice system "a shambles," many facts recounted by them ring true to me as well. I also stop to consider if not only a Democratic president (Clinton) imposes a moratorium on the death penalty but a Republican governor, a declared proponent of capital punishment, takes the same action and orders an investigation because "since the reestablishment of the death penalty in Illinois in 1977, there have been persistent problems in the administration of the death penalty as illustrated by the thirteen individuals on death row who have had their death sentences and convictions vacated by the courts" and "the number of death sentences and criminal convictions being vacated or overturned has raised serious concerns with respect to the process by which the death penalty is imposed." (Former Illinois Governor H. Ryan, Executive Order Creating The Governor's Commission On Capital Punishment, May 4, 2000).

Of course, not every claim of innocence is justified. But any criminal justice system should be able to allow for the presentation of conclusive proof of innocence, regardless how belatedly. And while questions of guilt or innocence were not at the forefront of the case of Timonthy McVeigh - before "9/11" to many people, even those otherwise opposed to the death penalty, the poster child for its application - I am not exactly comfortable with the assessment by President George W. Bush, who in 6 years as governor of Texas oversaw more than 150 executions, that McVeigh was "lucky to be an American. This is a country that will bend over backwards to make sure that his constitutional rights are guaranteed, as opposed to rushing his fate." (N.Y. Times, May 12, 2001.)

True Crime Stories.......2005-09-23

"Actual Innocence" is a legal term that refers to the wrongfully convicted. Being 'actually innocent' is not grounds for a release from prison in the criminal justice system without a new trial (Sheppard vs. Ohio). This decision must be made in a court of law, not in some laboratory. The 'Preface' tells of the beginning of the "Innocence Project" which uses DNA tests to free convicts who were innocent (p.xiv). This has "exposed a system of law that has been far too complacent about its fairness and accuracy" (p.xv). It can be due to: mistaken eyewitnesses, racism, rigged lab tests, inattentive defense lawyers, lying prosecutors. [We know how DNA evidence can be forged or fabricated, like fingerprints. There is no limit to human error.] But DNA tests only work with biological evidence, and they wonder how many were wrongfully convicted in other crimes? "Eyewitness error remains the single most important cause of wrongful convictions. If the prosecution holds back the evidence for DNA tests, a conviction prevents the right to have them done" (p.xvi). William Rehnquist agreed! Government statistics do not keep track of the number of innocent persons who are convicted (p.xvii).

Eyewitness testimony was known to be unreliable in the 19th century (Mass. vs. Borden), especially when the people are not well-known to each other. Are false confessions the obverse of misidentification? Chapter 4 explains why you should never talk to the police without your lawyer present. Police are rewarded for closing cases not leaving them open. Prosecutors are also responsible for false convictions (p.101), especially in this case (p.105). Chapter 5 discusses "scientific evidence"as it has been presented in far too many cases. How many other cases has prosecutorial perjury been passed for science (p.116)? This will continue until there are independent laboratories that are reliable. [See the book "Tainting Evidence".] Chapter 6 has examples of prosecutorial perjury. Could hairs be planted for evidence (p.151)? Page 157 tells of safeguards against false information. Chapter 7 deals with the "junk science" of hair analysis and its weaknesses (p.162). There is a need to regulate crime laboratories (p.170). Chapter 8 tells of "harmless error", deliberate misstatements used to convict suspects (pp.174-175). A prosecutor can't be sued for knowingly allowing perjured testimony (p.180)! Are Federal prosecutors exempt from ethical rules (p.181)?

Chapter 9 shows the need for capable defense lawyers. Does the low pay for indigents' lawyers in Texas result in a higher number of executions (p.189)? President Clinton and Speaker Newton Gingrich made it easier to convict the innocent (p.190)! Public defenders are overworked and underpaid (p.191). Chapter 10 tells how "Race" can result in the conviction of a man later found innocent by DNA evidence. Chapter 11 shows how a heinous crime demands a conviction. The need to cover the face of a suspect is to avoid false witnessing (p.215). Page 217 tells how an innocent comment can be twisted into a sign of guilt. One out of eight condemned to death is later freed as totally innocent (p.218)! Chapter 12 tells of the problems facing the wrongly convicted. The test for counterfeiting evidence is on pages 236-237. Sometimes people see what they believe, not the other way around (p.237). Chapter 13 has lessons from crimes. Conviction of an innocent may mask a serial murderer (p.244). If DNA tests were done right away it could eliminate suspects (p.245). [Unless a blood sample would be used to frame a suspect.] No state has an Innocence Commission to review convictions (p.246).
Appendix 1 has a short list of reforms to protect the innocent.

Erle Stanley Gardner and the "Court of Last Resort" pioneered investigations into the wrongfully convicted around 1948 (p.249). Gardner's advocacy for the use of forensic science educated generations of his readers. His books outsold the totals of his competitors. "Potboilers"? Shame on the authors!

Unjustly imprisoned.......2004-03-26

Actual Innocence is a very deep and detailed book that i am sure anyone would enjoy reading. We are talking about real cases of men who were put in jail for many years, being accused of crimes that they never did. Some were even send to death row,luckly the innocence project was able to help these men by testing their DNA. Reading these stories made me mad because how can someone be left in jail for so many years when they are innocent. I learned that many of these cases occurr because of mistaken eyewitness. The victim will accuse someone else that they think is the one. I really liked the book because i lets you know many things that go on in these types of cases. The best part of all is that now there is DNA that can prove someone guilty and hopefully this injustice can end.

BUY THE PAPERBACK.......2003-11-29

I am primarily offended that the authors and Amazon publish the almost the exact same book in both hardback and paperback with different titles in order to sucker folks into buying both. Amazon outright recommends the purchase of both books - but you should only buy the paperback. It has all the text of the more expensive hardback plus one additional chapter.

The book graphically displays some of the problems with the justice system; it fails, however, to examine the proponents' take on the death penalty. By failing to make such an examination, people with little or no opinion or those who are pro-death penalty will likely make changes to their political thought without the necessary logical underpinnings.

So true.......2003-07-30

this was a good book because it's so true. we always hear about the victims' side but it is seldom considered to hear the other side. i never understood how much DNA has revolutionized forensics and something that really shocked me was how unreliable eyewitness are.

Actual Innocence: Five Days to Execution and Other Dispatches from the Wrongly Convicted.(Review) (book review): An article from: Yale Law Journal

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Actual Innocence: Five Days to Execution and Other Dispatches from the Wrongly Convicted.(Review) (book review): An article from: Yale Law Journal
Geoffrey Christopher Rapp
Manufacturer: Yale University, School of Law
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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This digital document is an article from Yale Law Journal, published by Yale University, School of Law on October 1, 2000. The length of the article is 4829 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Actual Innocence: Five Days to Execution and Other Dispatches from the Wrongly Convicted.(Review) (book review)
Author: Geoffrey Christopher Rapp
Publication: Yale Law Journal (Refereed)
Date: October 1, 2000
Publisher: Yale University, School of Law
Volume: 110 Issue: 1 Page: 163

Article Type: Book Review

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Actual Innocence - Five Days To Execution And Other Dispatches From The Wrongly Convicted

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Actual Innocence - Five Days To Execution And Other Dispatches From The Wrongly Convicted
Jim; Neufeld, Peter; Scheck, Barry Dwyer
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IWZITS

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