
Fighting for Their Lives
Inside the Experience of Capital Defense Attorneys
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Sheree Galpert
-
By:
-
Susannah Sheffer
About this listen
How do attorneys who represent clients facing the death penalty cope with the stress and trauma of their work? Through conversations with 20 of the most experienced and dedicated post-conviction capital defenders in the United States, Fighting for Their Lives explores this emotional territory for the first time. What it is like for these capital defenders in their last visits or phone calls with clients who are about to be taken to the execution chamber? Or the next mornings, in their lives with their families, in their dreams and flashbacks and moments alone in the car? What is it like to do this work year after year? (These attorneys had, on average, spent nineteen years doing capital defense.)
Through vivid interviews amplified by the author's responses and commentary, these attorneys reveal aspects of their internal experience that they have never talked about until now. How do capital defenders manage the weight of the responsibility they carry? To what extent do they experience symptoms of trauma in the aftermath of losing a client to execution or as a result of the cumulative effects of engaging in capital defense work? What can we learn from capital defenders not only about the deep and long-term effects of the death penalty but also about broader human questions of hope, effectiveness, success, failure, strength, fragility, and perseverance?
The book is published by Vanderbilt University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.
©2013 Vanderbilt University Press (P)2022 Redwood AudiobooksListeners also enjoyed...
-
It's OK That You're Not OK
- Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand
- By: Megan Devine
- Narrated by: Megan Devine
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Megan Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides - as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner - Megan writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing.
-
-
The author of this book is capital-A Angry
- By A. E. Ober on 08-26-20
By: Megan Devine
-
Crucial Conversations (Third Edition)
- Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
- By: Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, and others
- Narrated by: Emily Gregory, Joseph Grenny
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The book that revolutionized business communications has been updated for today's workplace. Crucial Conversations provides powerful skills to ensure every conversation - especially difficult ones - leads to the results you want. Written in an engaging and witty style, it teaches listeners how to be persuasive rather than abrasive, how to get back to productive dialogue when others blow up or clam up, and it offers powerful skills for mastering high-stakes conversations, regardless of the topic or person.
-
-
Great info; needs a cast, PDF and a website update
- By Kali on 04-25-22
By: Joseph Grenny, and others
-
Trauma Stewardship
- An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others
- By: Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, Connie Burk
- Narrated by: Laura van Dernoot Lipsky
- Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A longtime trauma worker, Laura van Dernoot Lipsky offers a deep and empathetic survey of the often-unrecognized toll on those working to make the world a better place. We may feel tired, cynical, numb, or like we can never do enough. These, and other symptoms, affect us individually and collectively, sapping the energy and effectiveness we so desperately need if we are to benefit humankind, other animals, and the planet itself. Through Trauma Stewardship, we are called to meet these challenges in an intentional way.
-
-
Good book, horrendous narration
- By Liz on 08-30-18
By: Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, and others
-
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
- By: The Arbinger Institute
- Narrated by: Steve Carlson
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This third edition of an international best-seller - more than two million copies sold worldwide and translated into 33 languages - details how its powerful insights on motivation, conflict, and collaboration can benefit organizations as well as individuals.
-
-
Biggest waste of time in my life
- By Richard on 04-29-19
-
Not Nice
- Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty... And Start Speaking up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, and Unapologetically Being Yourself
- By: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
- Narrated by: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
- Length: 18 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you too nice? If you find it hard to be assertive, directly ask for what you want, or say "no" to others, then you just might be suffering from too much niceness. In this controversial book, world-renowned confidence expert, Dr. Aziz Gazipura, takes an incisive look at the concept of nice. Through his typical style, Dr. Aziz uses engaging stories, humor, and disarming vulnerability to cut through the nice conditioning and liberate the most bold, expressive, authentic version of you.
-
-
Changed my life forever
- By Shannon Slater on 12-07-18
-
The Solution to Social Anxiety: Break Free from the Shyness That Holds You Back
- By: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
- Narrated by: Dr. Aziz Gazipura
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you held back by shyness? Do many things seem out of reach due to social anxiety? Many people have settled into thinking this is just how life is... "This is just the way I am." However, nothing could be further from the truth. In this inspiring, breakthrough book, Dr. Aziz guides you along the path out of social anxiety and into greater confidence in yourself. You will discover what is keeping you stuck in shyness and learn exactly what to do in order to break free. After suffering from social anxiety himself for many years, Dr. Aziz became determined to find a way to social freedom. His deep understanding if what creates the social fears, shyness, and limitations, displays just how much he gets what it feels like to be shy.
-
-
Not for me
- By Katerina Kotyrlo on 03-07-18
-
It's OK That You're Not OK
- Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand
- By: Megan Devine
- Narrated by: Megan Devine
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Megan Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides - as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner - Megan writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing.
-
-
The author of this book is capital-A Angry
- By A. E. Ober on 08-26-20
By: Megan Devine
-
Crucial Conversations (Third Edition)
- Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
- By: Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, and others
- Narrated by: Emily Gregory, Joseph Grenny
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The book that revolutionized business communications has been updated for today's workplace. Crucial Conversations provides powerful skills to ensure every conversation - especially difficult ones - leads to the results you want. Written in an engaging and witty style, it teaches listeners how to be persuasive rather than abrasive, how to get back to productive dialogue when others blow up or clam up, and it offers powerful skills for mastering high-stakes conversations, regardless of the topic or person.
-
-
Great info; needs a cast, PDF and a website update
- By Kali on 04-25-22
By: Joseph Grenny, and others
-
Trauma Stewardship
- An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others
- By: Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, Connie Burk
- Narrated by: Laura van Dernoot Lipsky
- Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A longtime trauma worker, Laura van Dernoot Lipsky offers a deep and empathetic survey of the often-unrecognized toll on those working to make the world a better place. We may feel tired, cynical, numb, or like we can never do enough. These, and other symptoms, affect us individually and collectively, sapping the energy and effectiveness we so desperately need if we are to benefit humankind, other animals, and the planet itself. Through Trauma Stewardship, we are called to meet these challenges in an intentional way.
-
-
Good book, horrendous narration
- By Liz on 08-30-18
By: Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, and others
-
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
- By: The Arbinger Institute
- Narrated by: Steve Carlson
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This third edition of an international best-seller - more than two million copies sold worldwide and translated into 33 languages - details how its powerful insights on motivation, conflict, and collaboration can benefit organizations as well as individuals.
-
-
Biggest waste of time in my life
- By Richard on 04-29-19
-
Not Nice
- Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty... And Start Speaking up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, and Unapologetically Being Yourself
- By: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
- Narrated by: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
- Length: 18 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you too nice? If you find it hard to be assertive, directly ask for what you want, or say "no" to others, then you just might be suffering from too much niceness. In this controversial book, world-renowned confidence expert, Dr. Aziz Gazipura, takes an incisive look at the concept of nice. Through his typical style, Dr. Aziz uses engaging stories, humor, and disarming vulnerability to cut through the nice conditioning and liberate the most bold, expressive, authentic version of you.
-
-
Changed my life forever
- By Shannon Slater on 12-07-18
-
The Solution to Social Anxiety: Break Free from the Shyness That Holds You Back
- By: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
- Narrated by: Dr. Aziz Gazipura
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you held back by shyness? Do many things seem out of reach due to social anxiety? Many people have settled into thinking this is just how life is... "This is just the way I am." However, nothing could be further from the truth. In this inspiring, breakthrough book, Dr. Aziz guides you along the path out of social anxiety and into greater confidence in yourself. You will discover what is keeping you stuck in shyness and learn exactly what to do in order to break free. After suffering from social anxiety himself for many years, Dr. Aziz became determined to find a way to social freedom. His deep understanding if what creates the social fears, shyness, and limitations, displays just how much he gets what it feels like to be shy.
-
-
Not for me
- By Katerina Kotyrlo on 03-07-18
-
The Art of Extraordinary Confidence
- Your Ultimate Path to Love, Wealth, and Freedom
- By: Dr. Aziz Gazipura PsyD
- Narrated by: Dr. Aziz Gazipura
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Confidence is the doorway to success in all areas of life. Whether you want to excel in your career, triple your income, create an amazing relationship, or just feel happy and satisfied with who you are, self-confidence is essential. In this inspiring and liberating book, Dr. Aziz slices through each obstacle on the path towards ever-increasing confidence.
-
-
Finally! This book really is life changing!
- By Brianne on 05-05-17
-
The Tools
- Transform Your Problems into Courage, Confidence, and Creativity
- By: Barry Michels, Phil Stutz
- Narrated by: Phil Stutz, Barry Michels
- Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A groundbreaking book about personal growth that presents a uniquely effective set of five tools that bring about dynamic change. The Tools offers a solution to the biggest complaint patients have about therapy: the interminable wait for change to begin. The traditional therapeutic model sets its sights on the past, but Phil Stutz and Barry Michels employ an arsenal of techniques - "the tools" - that allow patients to use their problems as levers that access the power of the unconscious and propel them into action.
-
-
You Owe It to Yourself to Try
- By Jennifer on 08-24-12
By: Barry Michels, and others
-
The Gaslight Effect
- How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life
- By: Dr. Robin Stern
- Narrated by: Nan McNamara
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gaslighting is an insidious form of emotional abuse and manipulation that is difficult to recognize and even harder to break free from. That’s because it plays into one of our worst fears — of being abandoned — and many of our deepest needs: to be understood, appreciated, and loved. In this groundbreaking guide, the prominent therapist Dr. Robin Stern shows how the Gaslight Effect works and tells you how to turn up your Gaslight Radar, so you know when a relationship is headed for trouble.
-
-
Political stuff... really?
- By K on 03-28-18
By: Dr. Robin Stern
-
Struggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath of Trauma
- By: Ken Falke, Josh Goldberg
- Narrated by: Brian Grady, Charlie Plumb, Josh Goldberg, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ken Falke and Josh Goldberg train combat veterans battling PTSD to understand and achieve Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). PTG helps you discover opportunities from times of struggle, and this book provides actionable strategies for making peace with past experiences, living in the present, and planning for a great future. Through Ken and Josh’s work, thousands have transformed struggle into profound strength and lifelong growth. Now it is your turn. It’s time to learn how to Struggle Well.
-
-
Valuable Insight and Truth
- By Shaun on 09-19-18
By: Ken Falke, and others
-
Drive Your Own Darn Bus!
- How to Get Mentally Strong and Into the Driver's Seat of Your Life
- By: Julia Kristina
- Narrated by: Julia Kristina
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook is a guide to taking responsibility for your own well-being, getting emotionally strong and no longer letting others control your thoughts and emotions. Written in the trademark down-to-earth, direct, humorous and warm style that has made counsellor Julia Kristina so popular online, this audiobook arms its listeners with the skills to take over the steering wheel in their own lives, no matter what challenges they face.
-
-
Julia Knocks it Out of the Park!
- By SCOTT E WHITLOCK on 11-11-22
By: Julia Kristina
-
The Practice of Love
- Break Old Patterns, Rebuild Trust, and Create a Connection That Lasts
- By: Lair Torrent LMFT
- Narrated by: Lair Torrent LMFT
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Using Eastern philosophy and Western clinical techniques, this book delivers five practices that are simple enough to be used by struggling couples outside the therapy office, yet sophisticated enough to repair the complicated issues couples face over the course of their relationship.
-
-
Heartfelt and Real
- By Anonymous User on 08-27-24
-
Talking to Crazy
- How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life
- By: Mark Goulston MD
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Let's face it: We all know people who are irrational. No matter how hard you try to reason with them, it never works. So what's the solution? How do you talk to someone who's out of control? What can you do with a boss who bullies, a spouse who yells, or a friend who frequently bursts into tears? In his book Just Listen, Mark Goulston shared his best-selling formula for getting through to the resistant people in your life. Now he brings his communication magic to the most difficult group of all - the downright irrational.
-
-
Dissapointed
- By Aaron Olson on 11-04-15
By: Mark Goulston MD
-
Happy
- Why More or Less Everything Is Absolutely Fine
- By: Derren Brown
- Narrated by: Derren Brown
- Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Happy Derren Brown explores changing concepts of happiness - from the surprisingly modern wisdom of the Stoics and Epicureans in classical times right up until today, when the self-help industry has attempted to claim happiness as its own. He shows how many of self-help’s suggested routes to happiness and success – such as positive thinking, self-belief and setting goals – can be disastrous to follow and, indeed, actually cause anxiety. Happy aims to reclaim happiness and to enable us to appreciate the good things in life, in all their transient glory.
-
-
A witty and thoughtful take on stoicism
- By Sam Russell on 04-07-19
By: Derren Brown
-
The Verbally Abusive Relationship, Expanded Third Edition
- By: Patricia Evans
- Narrated by: Annette Romano
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this fully expanded and updated third edition of the best-selling classic, you learn why verbal abuse is more widespread than ever, and how you can deal with it. You'll get more of the answers you need to recognize abuse when it happens, respond to abusers safely and appropriately, and most important, lead a happier, healthier life. In two all-new chapters, Evans reveals the outside stresses driving the rise in verbal abuse - and shows you how you can mitigate the devastating effects on your relationships.
-
-
Caution is needed
- By Anonymous User on 10-19-19
By: Patricia Evans
-
Coming Alive
- 4 Tools to Defeat Your Inner Enemy, Ignite Creative Expression & Unleash Your Soul's Potential
- By: Barry Michels, Phil Stutz
- Narrated by: Phil Stutz, Barry Michels
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Tools, Barry Michels and Phil Stutz revolutionized the world of personal growth and self-actualization by offering doable, dynamic actions that transformed challenges into opportunities for change. Now, in Coming Alive, they provide four vital tools for tapping into the Life Force that resides within each of us - a wellspring of positive energy that is the source of creativity, renewal, confidence, and engagement.
-
-
A Stunning Work of Generosity
- By JTN from Seattle on 10-05-17
By: Barry Michels, and others
-
The Inside Track
- An Inspirational Guide to Conquering Adversity
- By: Peter Sage
- Narrated by: Peter Sage
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What happens when you put a non-criminal and one of the world's top experts in personal growth into one of the toughest prisons in the UK? In 2017, that's exactly what happened to Peter Sage when, during a civil matter, he was found in contempt of court. What unfolded next has become a master class in how to turn adversity to your advantage. The Inside Track is the collection of 11 private letters that Peter sent to his elite coaching groups throughout his six-month sentence. Written in a conversational style, each one breaks down the actual tools, techniques and insights he uses and shows you how to face any problem from a place of power, not force.
-
-
Being the example
- By L. Dartu on 06-19-23
By: Peter Sage
-
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
- A Guide to Knowing If Your Relationship Can - and Should - Be Saved
- By: Lundy Bancroft, JAC Patrissi
- Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this supportive and straightforward guide, Lundy Bancroft, the author of Why Does He Do That?, and communication specialist JAC Patrissi offer a way for women to practically take stock of their relationships and move forward, with or without their partners.
-
-
Paradigm Shift
- By Sydnee Adams-Hancock on 04-08-16
By: Lundy Bancroft, and others
Critic reviews
"Sheffer's insightful book will be of interest to all capital defense attorneys and others working in the judicial system." (Foreword)
"A searing account of rights and laws, crime and punishment." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Takes readers beyond the courtroom and execution chambers to explore how capital defense attorneys cope when they can't save a client...sobering and intimate." (Publishers Weekly)
Fantastic
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.