Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"This important book, whose insights fill a gap in our understanding of the death penalty . . . will be of immense value not only to scholars and practitioners in the field, but to all potential 'punitive citizens.'" * Punishment & Society *
"American Roulette is a very good book, smart, easy to read, and chock full of incisive ideas about the US death penalty in the twenty-first century."
* Law & Society Review *
"Kaufman offers a refreshing perspective that reveals novel insights and implications. A notable strength of the book is its appeal to a wide variety of audiences. It could be a required or supplement text for undergraduate or graduate courses, but it would also be digestible to a member of the public with an interest in the death penalty." * Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
PART I. THE SOCIAL LOGIC OF DEATH PENALTY CASES
1. Constructing Capital Homicide
2. Governing Capital Sentencing
3. The Capital Sentencing Field
PART II. THE SOCIAL LOGIC OF DEATH PENALTY TRIALS
4. Performing Punitive Citizenship
5. Performing Mercy
6. Performing Danger
7. Mourners in the Court
Conclusion
Appendix A. Methodology
Appendix B. Court Cases Cited
Notes
Bibliography
Index
