An American Dilemma examines the issue of capital punishment in the United States as it conflicts with the nation's obligations under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. In a number of high profile cases, foreign nationals have been executed after being denied their rights under the Vienna Convention. The International Court of Justice has ruled against the United States, but individual states have chosen to defy international law. The Supreme Court has not resolved the question of legal remedies for such breaches.

Mary Welek Atwell is Professor Emerita of Criminal Justice at Radford University, USA. She holds a PhD in American History from Saint Louis University, USA. She is the author of two previous books and several articles dealing with capital punishment.