No nation in history has valued individual freedom more highly than the United States. Its people's right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness is enshrined in the Constitution. But even the most free democratic society cannot allow its members to do entirely as they want.
Every civilization has had its code of values its system of laws - and each has defended that system by punishing wrongdoers. America has led the world in developing and upholding an even-handed humane and accountable criminal-justice system. Although an impressive achievement there are few signs of an end to crime. Where have we gone wrong? Have we tried too hard to be lenient or have we on the contrary brutalized offenders with harsh and unfair punishments? As enthralling as it is illuminating this book sets our current situation in its longer-term perspective tracing the history of punishment from the earliest times to the present day.