In the six years which have elapsed since publication of the first edition many changes have taken place in respect of the death penalty; the number of countries which have abolished the death penalty has increased at an unprecedented rate although a few have re-introduced it; the range of offenses subject to the death penalty has contracted in many countries, but expanded in others; there are new facts to report on the number of executions carried out; much more is known about the extent to which states abide by the United Nation's Safeguards Guaranteeing Protection of the Rights of Those Facing the Death Penalty; and much has been published particularly in the United States of America on the legal, ethical and practical aspects of administering capital punishment and on public attitudes towards it. The time is therefore right for a new edition and in preparing it Dr Hood has thoroughly revised and updated the whole work.