Everyone should read this book. I have not seen the film yet, but will definitely be checking it out soon, as well has his documentary True Justice on HBO. Bryan Stevenson inspires readers to become "stonecatchers," to catch the stones people cast at each other. His expertise on capitol punishment, cruel prison conditions, inappropriate sentencing, racial injustice, and the plights of children in the criminal justice system is evident in every sentence. What's most inspiring is that he has witnessed first-hand all of these injustices in our country, and has then dedicated his life to changing the broken system. Each win and fight has to be small and slow, but he has moved this country forward and kept the conversation going around the world. He has made this nation a more better place for so many people, and continues to fight and push for more just mercy.

His experiences have brought to light so many injustices in our criminal justice system that I was completely unaware of. Of course Trina's story stood out to me from the beginning because of her name, but what she's lived through and endured is a remarkable demonstration of her strength, but also totally unacceptable and should upset every American.

The following quote from his conversation with Rosa Parks does not even cover all the arenas in which he advocates for change in this country.

“Rosa Parks turned to me sweetly and asked, 'Now, Bryan, tell me who you are and what you're doing.' I looked at Ms. Carr to see if I had permission to speak, and she smiled and nodded at me. I then gave Ms. Parks my rap. 'Yes, ma'am. Well, I have a law project called the Equal Justice Initiative, and we're trying to help people on death row. We're trying to stop the death penalty, actually. We're trying to do something about prison conditions and excessive punishment. We want to free people who've been wrongly convicted. We want to end unfair sentences in criminal cases and stop racial bias in criminal justice...Ms. Parks leaned back smiling. 'Ooooh, honey, all that's going to make you tired, tired, tired.' We all laughed. I looked down, a little embarrassed. Then Ms. Carr leaned forward and put her finger in my face and talked o me just like my grandmother used to talk to me. She said, 'That's why you've got to be brave, brave, brave.' All three women nodded in silent agreement and for just a little while, they made me feel like a young prince.”