The guillotine is undoubtedly the most potent image of revolutionary France, the tool whereby a whole society was "redesigned". Yet what came to be seen as an instrument of terror was, paradoxically, introduced as the result of the humanitarian feelings of men intent on revising an ancient and barbaric penal code. Robert Frederick Opie takes the reader on a sometimes terrifying journey through the narrow streets of 18th-century Paris and beyond. Initially scorned by the revolutionary mob for being insufficiently cruel, the swift and efficient guillotine soon became the darling of the crowd, despatching as many as 60 people a day beneath its blade. But the Razor of the Nation was to remain the chosen instrument of capital punishment until the 1970s, only finally being banned in 1981. This work traces the development of the guillotine over nearly two centuries, recounting the stories of famous executions, the lives of the executioners and the scientific research into whether the head retained consciousness after it was separated from the body that continued into the 1950s. The story recounts some diabolical uses of human inventiveness, but also many touching pleas for mercy.
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Book Description
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About the Author
Robert Frederick Opie is a senior fire service officer, with experience in Scotland, where he was responsible for emergency planning and the compilation of War plans. He has a longstanding personal interest in history, particularly medieval military history and the history of crime and punishment. This is his first book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE COMPLETE GUILLOTINE,
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This review is from: Guillotine (Hardcover)
Of all the books that have been written over the years on the French "National Razor" this is certainly the most accessible of the lot; a neat distillation that includes all the relevant history included in previous tomes as well as much information that is new. Anyone looking for a concise, thoughtful and well-written book on this grim and esoteric subject need look no further. Author Robert Frederick Opie includes everything except a set of blueprints on how to build your own home model (which, oddly enough, can be found on the internet!).
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Biography of a Death Machine,
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This review is from: Guillotine (Paperback)
The story of the guillotine is well told in this fascinating book that spans about two centuries - from the French Revolution to the second half of the twentieth century. In an effort to make his tale as complete as possible, the author has tried to cover every aspect of this macabre instrument, including: its invention (it wasn't Dr. Guillotin), its construction, the reason for its selection in France to carry out death sentences, its extensive use in that country, its customers - their preparation and the disposal of their bodies, its servants (the executioners) and public perception of them, etc. Also included is a captivating chapter in which the author discusses various efforts/experiments over the years to determine whether death by guillotine really is instantaneous or whether consciousness lingers for a while in the severed head. The writing style is clear, very accessible and quite engaging. Although it contains some descriptions that can be a bit but not overly gory, this book can be enjoyed by anyone; but history buffs may relish it the most.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Certainly worth the read for those interested in the topic,
This review is from: Guillotine (Paperback)
Certainly worth the read for those interested in the topic.
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