"After a decade of dormancy, the capital punishment debate has asserted itself as a major political and social issue, and support for the death penalty, while still high, has dropped to its lowest level in nineteen years. America is clearly ready to ask the question "Who owns death?"" "In this book, Robert Jay Lifton and Greg Mitchell, take an unusual approach to the issue. By exploring the mind-sets of those directly involved in the death penalty, including prison wardens, prosecutors, jurors, religious figures, govenors, judges, and relatives of murder victims, they offer a textured look at a system that perpetuates the long-standing American habit of violence."--Jacket.

APPE gift.

The pope's travel plans: three states, three views of the death penalty -- Executions in America: trends and beginnings -- Methods of execution: seeking a "humane" end, from noose to needle -- Wardens and guards, chaplains and doctors -- Prosecutors and governors -- Jurors and judges -- Witnessing -- Murder victim's families -- Public opinion, private doubts -- The end of executions.