Bill Crawford, Book signing Friday, Aug. 24 at 7pm; Exhibit Aug.19-25, BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.
Gazing intimately into the eyes of death
On Aug. 24 at 7pm, amidst an exhibit of death row inmate mugshots, author Bill Crawford and former public information manager for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Larry Fitzgerald will host a discusion of the death penalty. The presentation will include Crawford’s book, Texas Death Row: Executions in the Modern Era, which takes a look at the life, crimes and last meals of those in the many mugshots.
The photgraphs will be on display at BookPeople for the week of Aug. 19. and culminate with Crawford and Fitzgerald’s presentation of Texas Death Row Aug. 24 at 7 pm.
Nothing humanizes the death penalty more than looking a condemned person in the eyes. Crawford’s book allows for that possibility. Their photographs, along with the details of their often grisly crimes, are juxtaposed with last meals like “spaghetti, marble cake and punch” or “ five skinless chicken breasts, twenty wings, coconut cake and apple juice” in a chilling and powerful, if nearly understated, book.
The entries are listed in order of execution, beginning with # 1, Charlie Brooks, and ending with # 376, Farley Charles Matchett, the last execution to occur before the book went to press. Twenty two more executions have taken place since then.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) provided all of the information in the book. Every effort was made to collect photos and complete information on each executed offender. Those seeking more information are encouraged to visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website at www.tdcj.state.tx.us/.
On Dec. 7, 1982 Texas conducted its first execution by lethal injection in the U.S. Since that time, Texas has been responsible for more executions by lethal injection than any other state in the union. Texas has executed nearly 400 people since 1976 and conducted a record-breaking forty executions in the year 2000 alone.
About Bill Crawford: He is a best-selling author and producer who has lived and worked in Austin, Texas since 1979. Crawford has authored or co-authored more than 16 books including, Texas Death Row: Executions in the Modern Era, Stevie Ray Vaughn: Caught in the Crossfire, and Border Radio: Quacks, Yodelers, Pitchmen, Psychics and Other Amazing Broadcasters of the American Airwaves. Crawford is also the creator of numerous educational programs including The Dad Show (radio) and The Texas Quiz Show (television).
About Larry Fitzgerald: He is a former reporter, independent news producer and long-time Director of Communications for the State Bar of Texas. Fitzgerald served as the Public Information Manager of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from 1995-2003. In that position, Fitzgerald coordinated agency efforts in dealing with worldwide media and witnessed 219 executions as part of the Texas execution team. Certified as an expert in the field of criminal justice/incarceration, Fitzgerald has worked as a criminal justice specialist since 2003.
About BookPeople: BookPeople has been Texas’ leading independent bookstore since 1970. Located in the heart of downtown, BookPeople has been voted best bookstore in Austin for over 15 years. The rest of the country has caught on too; BookPeople was voted Bookstore of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly in 2005. With visits from some of the most interesting and important authors of the past 35 years, as well as by Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, BookPeople is the destination bookstore in Texas.
Media Contact: Alison Kothe
(512) 472-4288 x207
events@bookpeople.com
Joel Nihlean
joel.nihlean@gmail.com