A vital book for any reader
As other reviewers have put it, this is a vital book for anyone with an opinion on Capital Punishment, written by the man who's job it was to administer the judgements of the courts. What surprised me was how gentle the book is, starting with a prolonged account of a Northern childhood, and the slow realisation of what his Uncle and Father actually do when they go away. Albert's sense of calling (an expression which constantly recurs in the book) to make the last moments on earth of the prsioners as rapid and easy as possible takes some thinking about. Don't expect to be traumatised by this book, but don't be surprised if it keeps popping into your head either.
