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The Book of Execution: An Encyclopedia of Methods of Judicial Execution

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This book is fascinating, if morbid. Though it's about the size of a paperback desktop dictionary, The Book of Execution is a true encyclopedia. There are sixty-eight entries in the table of contents, not counting a brief executioner's glossary, entitled "Jargon of the Underworld." The executions described range from the universal to the obscure-ancient times to modern day. The ancient methods are particularly inventive. Along with the well-known crucifixion and stoning to death are some more unusual ones like the brazen bull, cyphon, and scaphismus.

The author isn't entirely objective. You will see words like 'vicious' and 'ruthless' in regards to some practices. Overall, however, he describes the execution methods in the context of their relative time periods without being judgmental. He applies dry humor throughout the text, even though the procedures he describes are gruesome. The illustrations in the book comprise mostly of devices used for torture/execution and of outfits worn at different periods.

The book seems slanted towards European methods of execution, since many of the accounts Abbott relates took place in Europe. That doesn't mean a given method itself is European. For example, death by the axe occurred in any civilization with axes, not just the European beheadings, etc, represented.

If you find yourself remotely interested in this topic, buy this book. It's worth the price for conversations you'll have about it.

Yes, this is a morbid but extremely interesting little book and was well worth the purchase. The descriptions of the executions are realistic at all times, and you wont read it in a linear fashion, as it is an encyclopedia. This book made me ponder human nature, to read of such cruelties you could be forgiven for thinking the minds who thought them up werent human. Mankinds cruelty can be fed directly from his imagination. Some of these methods are extremely bizarre, particularly sewing inside a dead horse and the truly revolting scaphismus, as a person who loathes insects, i have to say that that method for me was probably the worst, perhaps there is possibly too much emphasis on more mundane forms of execution (we all know enough about beheading and hanging already for example)though their inclusion was perhaps necessary for completeness, in those cases the historical background is fascinating anyway. Though it is hard to measure these things, one could argue that being placed naked inside a brazen bull, or being fried to death is the worst (if you were actually suffering either one of these, you'd 'want' to be slowly digested by maggots instead no doubt). See what i mean? This book is a filthy little morsel for the imagination.

Thumbs are up

This book gives true accounts on what tourture and execution were and are really like. The details, documents and pictures make this book erie and unable to put down, but I would not reccomend it for those with weak stomachs!

This book is a comprehensive reference on the methods of execution written by the former Yeoman Warden in the Tower of London. As such it has a slightly British-centric view of the execution methods, with majority of the descriptions dedicated to the axe, wheel and rope as the executioner implements. It also reads as a survey of the fate of Christian martyrs, which we known to be executed in great style. I would like to see more illustrations, for exposition to be clouded with less emotion, and for more space to be dedicated towards Oriental, Middle East and Ancient execution methods which are poorly represented. Maybe Mr. Abbott cares to write another book on this subject?

this is one of the most imformative, and interesting books I own, and let me tell you I own a lot of books! :) It has practicaly every form of execution there is. It is a very interesting read, and was very hard to put down. And to tell you the truth, I have actually used this book on numerous occations for many differnt reasons! I would highly recommend this book to anyone! It is a fast paced read, and is just as good when read for a second, even third time!

I stumbled across this book while touring the Tower of London in 1998 and have reread it several times a year since. (Does that make me sick? Hope not!)

This book was clearly written for a British audience since there are many places where an incident (i.e. the Jacobite rebellion) is mentioned without reference to who they were. There are also a few mistakes an American reader would catch, such as saying someone was executed in "Raliegh, North Virginia." However, these do not at all distract from the facination of the book.

An excellent, exhaustive, but fun to read little book which details various execution methods used at different times and places.

An excellent introduction into the topic. A little less informative than I would have liked on some topics and to much detail on others, almost to the point of stating the obvious.
But, again if you're looking for a book to give you a taste of the topic then this is the one for you.

I think this book is magnificent, as it presents all of the means of execution that I can think of (and in graphic detail). It is a real page-turner that is hard to put down once one has started reading!