Pictures at an execution

by Wendy Lesser

At the center of this book is Lesser's investigation in a groundbreaking legal case in which a federal court judge was asked to decide whether a gas chamber execution would be broadcast on public television. This gripping work brings us face to face with our own most disturbing cultural impulses. Halftones.

Genres: Philosophy, Cultural, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Wendy Lesser a critic, novelist, and editor based in Berkeley, California.

She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the New York Public Library's Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers.

Reviews

[K Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to describe what this book is actually about. Yes, the KQED/Robert Alton Harris story is in there, but there's more literary criticism than anything else. To be honest, I found the literary criticism more interesting than the Harris story. But it was difficult to plod through at times and a bit disjointed overall. Definitely average or above, just not fantastic.

[Janet Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was kind of a hats book to read. Interesting and thought provoking but a difficult subject matter.