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EXECUTION EVE.
In a story reminiscent of Dead Man Walking , the murder of golf star Marion Miley enraged the nation. People were finally quieted when three men were arrested, tried and convicted. But on the night of their scheduled execution, the warden, "hang'em high" lawman Jesse Buchanan, is unsure of one prisoner's guilt. His actions change his life forever and alter the course of capital punishment in America.
Hardcover
First published September 10, 1993
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About the author
William F. Buckley Jr.
183 books338 followersWilliam Frank Buckley, Jr. was an American author and conservative commentator. He founded the political magazine National Review in 1955, hosted 1,429 episodes of the television show Firing Line from 1966 until 1999, and was a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. His writing style was famed for its erudition, wit, and use of uncommon words.
Buckley was "arguably the most important public intellectual in the United States in the past half century," according to George H. Nash, a historian of the modern American conservative movement. "For an entire generation he was the preeminent voice of American conservatism and its first great ecumenical figure." Buckley's primary intellectual achievement was to fuse traditional American political conservatism with economic libertarianism and anti-communism, laying the groundwork for the modern American conservatism of US Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater and US President Ronald Reagan.
Buckley came on the public scene with his critical book God and Man at Yale (1951); among over fifty further books on writing, speaking, history, politics and sailing, were a series of novels featuring CIA agent Blackford Oakes. Buckley referred to himself "on and off" as either libertarian or conservative. He resided in New York City and Stamford, Connecticut, and often signed his name as "WFB." He was a practicing Catholic, regularly attending the traditional Latin Mass in Connecticut.
Buckley was "arguably the most important public intellectual in the United States in the past half century," according to George H. Nash, a historian of the modern American conservative movement. "For an entire generation he was the preeminent voice of American conservatism and its first great ecumenical figure." Buckley's primary intellectual achievement was to fuse traditional American political conservatism with economic libertarianism and anti-communism, laying the groundwork for the modern American conservatism of US Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater and US President Ronald Reagan.
Buckley came on the public scene with his critical book God and Man at Yale (1951); among over fifty further books on writing, speaking, history, politics and sailing, were a series of novels featuring CIA agent Blackford Oakes. Buckley referred to himself "on and off" as either libertarian or conservative. He resided in New York City and Stamford, Connecticut, and often signed his name as "WFB." He was a practicing Catholic, regularly attending the traditional Latin Mass in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 21, 2019
My soon to be in-laws recommended this book to me since I was fascinated by the Kentucky State Penitentiary which is very near where they live. It’s this fascinating story about 3 men set to be executed the same night for a crime that had made national news. It follows the day of the execution, both the prisoners and the warden of the prison who was completely haunted by what was happening. This book was suspenseful and a really interesting look at the prison system and things we are still debating today.
April 1, 2019
I've had this volume for a long time and came across it recently. Little did I know that I could not put it down.
This is the true story of the moral and ethical dilemma that Warden Jessie Buchanan faced in 1943 on the cusp of the execution of three men in the muder of golfer Marion Miley and her mother. Warden Buchanan had been known as an upright man who possessed integrity even in the duty of presiding over executions imposed by the Death Penalty laws of mid century Kentucky. He determined the basic truths of this ultimate penalty - bestowed in most cases where black people and poor people were found guilty of crimes. While Warden Buchanan was uncomfortable with what he saw, he did what he felt was his duty.
This shifts dramatically during the Miley murder, when the guilt of one of the parties is of significant question, and Warden Buchanan is faced with the terrible concern that he may be presiding over an innocent man's execution.
I'll say no more, other than to encourage anyone interested in criminal justice to pick up this book. It is guarenteed to shake one's moral certainty.
This is the true story of the moral and ethical dilemma that Warden Jessie Buchanan faced in 1943 on the cusp of the execution of three men in the muder of golfer Marion Miley and her mother. Warden Buchanan had been known as an upright man who possessed integrity even in the duty of presiding over executions imposed by the Death Penalty laws of mid century Kentucky. He determined the basic truths of this ultimate penalty - bestowed in most cases where black people and poor people were found guilty of crimes. While Warden Buchanan was uncomfortable with what he saw, he did what he felt was his duty.
This shifts dramatically during the Miley murder, when the guilt of one of the parties is of significant question, and Warden Buchanan is faced with the terrible concern that he may be presiding over an innocent man's execution.
I'll say no more, other than to encourage anyone interested in criminal justice to pick up this book. It is guarenteed to shake one's moral certainty.
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September 30, 2016This book was written in connection with the 1941 murders of two Lexington, KY women, Marion Miley, who was a young and beautiful rising golf star and her mother.
The author is the son of the prison warden at Eddyville and he had the unique opportunity to meet and get to know the men convicted of and sent to death row for the Miley murders. It didn't end as I thought it would and that made me like it even more! It's a quick read.
The author is the son of the prison warden at Eddyville and he had the unique opportunity to meet and get to know the men convicted of and sent to death row for the Miley murders. It didn't end as I thought it would and that made me like it even more! It's a quick read.
September 12, 2012
Period piece. Poorly edited.
Page 235
"Poor Willie. Executed for the crime of poverty and ignorance."
Page 235
"Poor Willie. Executed for the crime of poverty and ignorance."
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews