Capital punishment is one of the most divisive and emotional debates in the United States today. Both sides claim they are literally fighting for life-either the life of the condemned criminal or the lives of potential victims; and both sides claim to be upholding practices essential for a healthy society. This book presents an engaging and balanced account from a variety of perspectives on this most important issue: trends and statistics are here, but also the personal stories of convicts, victims, law officials, and activists. This book makes for fascinating, challenging, and informative reading.