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Annotated Bibliography on the Death Penalty

Banner, S., (2002). The death penalty: An American history. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard
University Press.
This book provides an insightful view of the death penalty within America. It describes
the origin of the death penalty as well as the origins of its opposition. It deeply analyzes
the moral and ethical aspects of the death penalty. This source will help me find out the
history of the death penalty. It will also tell me why it has come to be such a
controversial topic within the United States.
Hood, G., & Hoyle, C., (2008). The death penalty: A worldwide perspective. Oxford, NY: Oxford
University Press. Retrieved from books.google.com.
This book is very informative on all aspects of the death penalty. It answers the
important questions regarding the death penalty such as, What Prospects for
International Acceptance or Rejection of Capital Punishment? It shows what places
lean toward what, abolition or acceptance of the death penalty. It compares how the
death penalty has or hasnt had an effect in multiple countries. This book is an excellent
resource which I have no doubt can answer all of my questions from a clearly objective
view different from my other sources.
Kudlac, C., (2007). Public executions: The death penalty and the media. Westport, Connecticut:
Praeger.
This book identifies how the press has covered the death penalty in the past. It discusses
public opinion and the mass media surrounding the death penalty. It holds examples of
real life scenarios with death row inmates. This book will help me to understand
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peoples general view of the death penalty. It will also help me to answer a couple of my
questions of consequence.
McLaughlin, J., (2014). The price of justice: Interest-Convergence, cost, and the anti-death
penalty movement. Northwestern University Law Review, 108, 675-710.
This source is an article from a magazine published in a magazine from a law school. The
source focuses on the tendency to move away from the death penalty in most states. It
provides multiple examples of how different states in the U.S. have handled the death
penalty. It also provides a comparison of the costs of the death penalty rather than
using an ethical approach to advocate against it. The article favors the removing of the
death penalty in America stating that the costs are greater to execute an inmate rather
than keep them for life in prison. This source will benefit me in understanding the point
of view against the death penalty. It will also help me in answering my question of value.
Potter, G., (1997, November). Crime control and the death penalty. The Advocate, 19, 44-57.
Retrieved from http://www.e-archives.ky.gov/pubs/Public_Adv/nov97/contents.html.
This source is an online version of a print magazine. The article is written by a Pd.D. in
the field of police studies and the sources for his information are listed and appear to be
as credible as its author. The article states how arguments for and against the death
penalty have been used in the past. It lists many examples as well as what others
opinions tend to be on both sides, supported by facts. This will greatly help me in
understanding the use of the death penalty and how useful it is or isnt in preventing
crime.
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Rust-Tierney, D., (2014). Is it time to abolish the death penalty?. U.S. News Digital Weekly, 6,
16-16.
This source is an opinion periodical written just last month. The author argues for the
abolition of the death penalty using examples of failed executions in the U.S. The article
also states that the support for the death penalty is at a 40-year low. This author uses a
lot of emotional appeal alongside her logical appeal. She uses exoneration to back up
her argument against the death penalty, and the impact it has on families on both the
accused and victims. This source will help with my question of consequence. It is also an
eye opener as to how badly an execution might go.
Sangiorgio, C., (2011). The death penalty and public information on its use. International Review
of Law, Computers & Technology, 25, 33-41.
The source listed above is an article filled with a great deal of facts. It analyzes use of the
death penalty in the U.S. as well as other countries. It acknowledges a great decline in
the use of the death penalty, but also proves that some countries use it generously. This
source will help me in understanding the use of the death penalty as a part of my
question of interpretation. It also shows graphs and facts about the death penaltys use
in many countries.
Sarat, A., & Martschukat, J., (2011). Is the death penalty dying? : European and American
perspectives. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from
http://www.eblib.com.
The resource above is a book that provides analysis of use of the death penalty in
Europe and America. It greatly explains the way death penalty systems work as well as
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how their dissolution works. It compares what Europe has gone through with how the
U.S. might be able to handle the death penalty at home. This will help me in answering
both my question of consequence and policy. This source has a great range of
information and will help with understanding the death penalty as well as how the U.S.
should approach it.