50 pages • 1 hour read
128
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis is a critical text that advocates for prison abolition. By tracing the prison system's evolution from its inception in America to the present-day prison industrial complex, Davis argues that incarceration is an ineffective and lucrative industry rooted in bias. Using historical context, personal experience, and academic analysis, she offers potential reforms to create a more empathetic justice system and equal society. This book discusses racial and gender-based violence.
Informative
Challenging
Contemplative
Inspirational
Unnerving
27,742 ratings
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Angela Y. Davis’s Are Prisons Obsolete? is lauded for its compelling argument against the prison-industrial complex, thoughtful historical context, and clear call to abolish prisons. Critics note it can be dense and lacks actionable solutions. Overall, it's praised for its challenging and thought-provoking perspective on criminal justice reform.
A reader who would enjoy Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis is likely engaged in social justice, criminology, or abolitionist studies. They previously appreciated Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow or Marc Mauer’s The Meaning of Life which also critique the U.S. prison system. These readers seek transformative discussions on incarceration and systemic reform.
27,742 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
128
Book • Nonfiction
2000s
2003
Adult
18+ years
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