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The Autobiography of an Execution

by David R. Dow

Hardcover, 273 pages, Grand Central Pub, List Price: $24.99 |

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Title: The Autobiography of an Execution
Author: David R. Dow

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Paperback, 271 pages, Grand Central Pub, $14.99, published February 16 2011 | purchase

Buy Featured Book

Title: The Autobiography of an Execution
Author: David R. Dow

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Book Summary

A lawyer and head of the Texas Defender Service argues against capital punishment as he explores the cases of criminals condemned to death.

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Also by David R. Dow

Things I've Learned from Dying

NPR stories about The Autobiography of an Execution

For Two Decades, Defending Death Row Inmates

The gurney used to restrain condemned prisoners during the lethal injection process is shown in the Texas death house in Huntsville, Texas. Pat Sullivan/AP Photo hide caption

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Pat Sullivan/AP Photo

Author Interviews

For Two Decades, Defending Death Row Inmates

Fresh Air

April 8, 2011 • Attorney David Dow has spent his career representing inmates who have been sentenced to death. Despite his efforts, many of his clients have been executed — and most of them were guilty. He details what it's like to become emotionally involved with the people living on death row in a new memoir.

For Two Decades, Defending Death Row Inmates

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Author Interviews

20 Years Of Defending Death Row Inmates

Fresh Air

February 8, 2010 • Attorney David Dow has spent his career representing inmates who have been sentenced to death. Despite his efforts, many of his clients have been executed — and most of them were guilty. In his new memoir, The Autobiography of an Execution, Dow details what it's like to become emotionally involved with the people living on death row.

20 Years Of Defending Death Row Inmates

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Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/123491414/123495587" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript