The Innocent Man | 
 enlarge | Author: John Grisham
Publisher: Dell
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
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Rating:  99 reviews
Sales Rank: 754
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 448
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 3.9 x 1.4
ISBN: 0440243831
Dewey Decimal Number: 345.76602523
EAN: 9780440243830
ASIN: 0440243831
Publication Date: November 20, 2007
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Product Description
In the town of Ada, Oklahoma, Ron Williamson was going to be the next Mickey Mantle. But on his way to the Big Leagues, Ron stumbled, his dreams broken by drinking, drugs, and women. Then, on a winter night in 1982, not far from Ron’s home, a young cocktail waitress named Debra Sue Carter was savagely murdered. The investigation led nowhere. Until, on the flimsiest evidence, it led to Ron Williamson. The washed-up small-town hero was charged, tried, and sentenced to death—in a trial littered with lying witnesses and tainted evidence that would shatter a man’s already broken life…and let a true killer go free. Impeccably researched, grippingly told, filled with eleventh-hour drama, John Grisham’s first work of nonfiction reads like a page-turning legal thriller. It is a book that will terrify anyone who believes in the presumption of innocence—a book no American can afford to miss.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 94 more reviews...
 Great Book! October 11, 2008
Happy Mom
This is the very first book that I have read by John Grisham and since then I bought all of his books.
 Grisham can write nonfiction too! October 10, 2008
S. Wisler (Montana, U.S.)
I have read almost all of Grisham's books, so I was interested in this book simply as another Grisham novel. Then I read a description of the book, and realized that it is actually non-fiction. The story line still seemed interesting, so I ended up reading it. I had a few days off work, so I started reading it expecting to use it to fill up some inactive parts of the day. Instead I spent most of the next day-and-a-half reading, and I could hardly put the book down.
This book isn't quite as exciting as Grisham's novels, but it is still very interesting. It doesn't take you very long to get into the story, and by the time Ron was put on trial, I was starting to get moody and upset because of what I was reading. I have to say that much of the book is actually somewhat depressing with the depiction of the "authorities" and their underhanded work. Of course, the whole book is biased in favor of Ron's innocence, so the evidence could be somewhat biased and misrepresented, but overall, I think Grisham tried to present the facts fairly.
One of the main reasons that I did not give this book a 5-star rating is because of it's style. I'm not sure if it could be helped, considering it's non-fiction stance, but it was somewhat dry and boring throughout, and just enough drama to keep you fascinated.
Another reason for the 4-star rating is because of the inclusion of the Ward/Fontenot(sp?) issue. It is an important inclusion due to it being the first "dream confession", yet Grisham followed Ward to Death Row (he was there part of the time Williamson was there), but then he dropped the issue and barely made another reference to that issue for the rest of the book. Grisham did put a link to a website for further information about that case in the ending author's note, but in my opinion he should have spent either less time or more time writing about that case. As it was, it started out as an important issue, then it completely dropped out of sight.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, and I think it is a very important book. Few people think about the possibility of an innocent person being convicted. Of course, the advances in DNA evidence helps reduce the risk of convicting an innocent person, but it is still an important issue to be informed about. I highly recommend that people read this book.
The Innocent Man October 10, 2008
Angela M. Hooper
This is the first non-fiction book that I have ever tried to read. Kudos to John Grisham for learning about this story and for writing it. I have always heard of people going to prison for crimes that they did not commit, but have never known anyone. This story will make you open your eyes.
This novel is based on Ron Williamson, baseball hero in the small town of Ada, Ok. Ada had high hopes that their hero would be taken to the top in baseball. However, in his twenties, Williamson becomes a drunk and loses all hope of living as a major league baseball player.
Williamson starts living off of family and friends. He is unjustly arrested for the murder of a local girl and most townspeople believe that Ron did it. His family sticks by him, but it was very difficult for them.
Time happens and Ron remains in jail, on death row - for a crime that he did not commit. Ron develops a mental illness.
If you have never heard of this case, then I suggest that everyone reads this novel. I was shocked to find out that this really happened and had never heard of this before. I will not ruin the ending to the book, which is obvious if you pick up the book and read it. However, the life long struggle of Ron is worth reading about and it makes you think twice how your actions can lead you in the wrong direction in life. I pray that the Williamson family has found closure on the matter and that they have found peace. Sad, sad story. Pure injustice!
 Innocent until proven guilty or guilty until proven innocent? October 6, 2008
Kristy D. Rhode (Brentwood TN)
This book started out in the town of Ada where Ron Williamson was to be the next Mickey Mantle. He played all through his young career and became good enough to become a professional baseball player. He then left his small town to make his dreams come true and soon he signed with the Oakland A's. He returned to his hometown a couple of years later because he fell into the bad habits of alcohol and drug use. He couldn't maintain a job anymore and ended up moving back home with his mother.
In 1982, a waitress named Debbie Carter was murdered. The police were clueless of who the killer was, but they suspected Ron Williamson and his friend Dennis Fritz. Then the two were charged with capital murder and were sentenced to the death penalty.
In my opinion, the truth about the criminal justice system in America will shock you.
John Grisham did a great job in writing his first non-fiction book. This story was a page turner from the beginning to the end.
Innocent until proven guilty takes on new meaning October 3, 2008
Terri Patterson (Florida, USA)
I admire John Grisham for his work and depth here. It doesn't read like one of his thrillers, but it is gripping. I did find some areas a bit repetitive, but overall this is a fantastic narrative presentation of the facts, exactly how I like it in my favorite book type, true crime. I'm one of those softies who tends to really believe in innocent until proven guilty, and unlike Nancy Grace, I don't believe in circumstantial evidence for homicide cases. It'd be really interesting to get John Grisham (an ex defense lawyer, right?) and Nancy Grace (an ex prosecutor) together on a show. What a match that would be. The book feels long at times, but never bores, and I actually felt so sorry for the victims in this book. It was really interesting to see the photos of Ron Williamson before and after his ordeal. I was so captivated by this whole story, I actually went to the website of the prosecutor mentioned by the author in the book. It is interesting to see him defending himself. Please write more true crime, Mr. Grisham.
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