Witnesses to the execution included his attorney millard farmer and deathpenalty opponent sister helen prejean, who served as his spiritual adviser. This book is a compilation of the last written words of the men who were executed after the rising of easter week, 1916. Buy last words of the executed by robert k elder isbn. Last words of the executed is unlikely to bring peace to its readersespecially those with misgivings about capital punishment. Elder, the book explores the cultural value of these final statements and asks what we can learn from. Elders last words of the executed is, for sure, is fascinating. Final words of more than 3500 noteworthy people throughout history. Last words of the executed free pdf, chm, djvu, fb2. Elder, the book explores the cultural value of these final statements and. The last words of the 376 prisoners executed in texas.
May 28, 2010 last words of the executed by robert k. In rising chronological order, with death date specified. Last words of the executed death penalty information. Studs terkel death waits for us all, but only those sentenced to death know the day and the hour and only they can be sure that their last words will be recorded for posterity. Aug 05, 2010 in a new book, last words of the executed, robert k. Sep 19, 2006 the last words of the 376 prisoners executed in texas since 1982 are faithfully recorded on the state justice departments website. The product of seven years of extensive research by journalist robert k. Nearly 3,000 prisoners are currently waiting on death row for their executions. From colonial era public hangings to the last moments before a lethal injection, northwestern journalism teacher elder revisits the final words of the condemned, both famous and forgotten. Spanning 5 centuries, the quotes range from the fierce to the. After each quotation, elder, a former staff writer for the chicago tribune, presents a lean brief of the crime, along with any essential details of the trial and the. An excerpt from last words of the executed by robert k. Elder, amply documents, there have been over sixteen thousand executions in this country and a vast record of final pronouncements taken from prison records, eyewitness statements, newspaper accounts, period diaries and written statements.
Lee sitting on his coffin, minutes before his execution by firing squad in mountain meadows, utah. Last words of the executed is not a political book. Slide 1 of 25 for the next slide, scroll down and click next page. Elders new book, last words of the executed, gathers the final words of hundreds of people sentenced to death in america. To be sure the book is populated by scores of heinous characters. The book, with a foreword by studs terkel, also describes the crime and some of the social setting of each case presented. The chapters are organized by era and method of execution.
It is not only of excellent historic and cultural value it is a very interesting read. He also responded to questions from members of the audience. Elder is a compilation of the final statements of death row inmates shortly before their execution. By the time he completed the book, he was thirtythree, married, and the father of one.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. George cudmore was on march 25, 1830 executed at devon county gaol, the presentday site of exeter prison. The last words of the 376 prisoners executed in texas since 1982 are faithfully recorded on the state justice departments website. Each day, we are posting excerpts from the book, plus outtakes, by date of execution. It includes also some of the statements made and dispatches issued by the leaders during the week, at the surrender, and after it, as well as some references to their activities while fighting was in progress. Executed july 20, 1987 serial rapist celestine faced the electric chair for the rape, beating, and strangulation of eightyoneyearold marceliane richard. Aida edemariam reads through their final statements. Five final statements from last words of the executed by robert k.
Last words are fascinating and last words of those about to executed are often the most fascinating. Americas diverse heritage is stamped even onto its killers final moments. The last words of the 376 prisoners executed in texas since. May 30, 2010 last words of the executed presents an oral history of american capital punishment, as heard from the gallows, the chair, and the gurney. Last words of the executed presents an oral history of american capital punishment, as heard from the gallows, the chair, and the gurney. Lee was executed on mountain meadows, washington county, utah territory, at the scene of the massacre, on the 28d day of march, 1877. Elder, the book explores the cultural value of these final statements and asks what we can learn from them. After finding no money, the convicts murdered all four family members. Hickock met perry smith in prison, where the two concocted a plan to rob the clutter family of ten thousand dollars that they supposedly kept in a safe at home. The book documents the final words of death row inmates in the united states, from the seventeenth century to the present day.
This book will give you an insight into the mind of a criminal in their last moments and demonstrate what an impossible task it is to choose your last words for humanity to hear. Knowing the last words that someone spoke can sometimes throw light on their character or on the circumstances in which they died. Goodbye, warden the last words of death row inmates. If relevant, also the context of the words or the circumstances of death are specified. Elder was on nbcs last call with carson daly recently.
All chicago ebooks are on sale at 30% off with the code ebook30. Last words of the executed navy general library program. Robert elder talked about his book, last words of the executed university of chicago press, 2010, in conversation with adam cohen. Jan 01, 2010 robert elder 00 was in his midtwenties and single when he began researching his book, last words of the executed university of chicago press, 2010, a compilation of the final statements of more than 900 convicted criminals who faced death by hanging, firing squad, electric chair, or lethal injections. The result is a riveting, moving testament from the darkest corners of society. Five final statements from last words of the executed by. Last words of the executed by robert elder chicago tribune. Elder, with a foreword by studs terkel sister helen prejean, author of dead man walking, has praised the project and called it, a dangerous book this is a nonpolitical work, simply asking, if these are the most reviled, outcast members of societywhy does it remain a cultural value to record what they. An oral history of the death penalty in the united states. Robert elder 00 was in his midtwenties and single when he began researching his book, last words of the executed university of chicago press, 2010, a compilation of the final statements of more than 900 convicted criminals who faced death by hanging, firing squad, electric chair, or lethal injections. Grasso was executed in oklahoma on march 20, 1995 for a two murders. It includes also some of the statements made and dispatches issued by the leaders during the week, at the surrender, and after it, as well as some references to. The last words of 565 death row inmates executed in the state of texas since 1982. John wayne gacy, convicted of the rape and murder and executed by lethal injection in1994.
May 15, 2010 last words are fascinating and last words of those about to executed are often the most fascinating. True to its title, the book is a collection of final statements by death row prisoners. Last words of the executed, elder, terkel university of chicago press. Smashwords 50 last words of executed criminals a book. He requested his last meal to be spaghettios, but instead he was given spaghetti and meatballs. In a new book, last words of the executed, robert k. Elder compiles the final utterances of many of those sentenced to death in our country over the past three hundred and fifty years. You cant help but feel that some of the last quotes by famous people on this list encapsulate their personas. Over 1,500 death row inmates have been executed in the united states since capital punishment was reauthorized in 1976, 565 of whom were put to death in the state of texas alone. Jul 07, 2010 since then, as last words of the executed, an enthralling book by robert k. Rather, elder simply asks readers to listen closely to these voices that echo history. Wanting to run off with his mistress, cudmore slipped his wife a lethal dose of the 19th centurys prolific domestic assassin, arsenic.
For information on purchasing the book from bookstores or here onlineplease go to the webpage for last words of the executed. Jun 12, 2010 robert elder talked about his book, last words of the executed university of chicago press, 2010, in conversation with adam cohen. The grisly thought about a deathbed might be quite unnerving for anyone, but not for these famous people. Mac lochlainn kilmainham jail restoration society, 1971 history 217 pages. Rather, elder simply asks readers to listen closely to what they condemned have to say. The official website of last words of the executed by robert k. If there is controversy or uncertainty concerning a persons last words, this is described in footnotes.
Since then, as last words of the executed, an enthralling book by robert k. This book explores the last words of 50 criminals facing execution, ranging from angry outbursts at the injustice of it, to pleas of innocence and begs for mercy. Last words of the executed is not a heavyhanded political book on the death penalty. Elder has compiled what is the best compilation and portrait of last words of executed persons published to date.