Customer Reviews

Guillotine

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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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!).

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.

Certainly worth the read for those interested in the topic.

While I agree that this is a version of the history of the guillotine accessible to the average reader, its lack of footnoting is a little disturbing to the historian. I'm not sure if this book was intended to be included in the realm of hard history or not. Most of the time, it reads as if it were part of the "true crime" genre. It contains excerpts of primary source material and appendices, yet there are no footnotes (not one), even for the appendices! Where is this information coming from? Sometimes there are references to this letter or that - but not giving your source information is simply doing bad history!

I am a history professor and have read extensively on the French Revolution. Most of the information included in this book, I have read confirmed elsewhere. Still, there are some things that other historians seem to contradict. For example, Opie claims that Robespierre was unfazed by the guillotine. Other historians have maintained that he was a little squeamish of the actual process and refused to attend the execution of Danton. Without reference to his sources, one cannot go to them, read and decide for herself. Do not take anything, then, in this book as complete fact without secondary confirmation. Some of it is fine, some of it is not. Without citations, you just can't tell from this book.

All that being said, it was a delicious read. It's a helpful work for a person wanting a concise history of the guillotine. Just don't ever cite this book directly.

This is a extraordinary book about a fascinating subject. It actually reads more like an exciting novel than the dry academic history book that it could have been . Rather, it offers the reader not only a thorough history of the macabre Guillotine, it is as well, rich in obscure details and fascinating bits of information . I found it riveting and I could not put it down.

Reading this book, one begins gradually to experience the eerie feeling that the Guillotin, more than just being a formidable object, a death machine that one is reading about, rather is slowly becoming much more---almost an ENTITY ---a PRESENCE in ITSELF! The Guillotine, looming over all those who surrendered to it, operated it and who have been touched by it, remains to this day an undeniable icon of nightmarish fascination and (strangely, somehow),inspiration.

Robert Opie has done a masterful job and captures this fascinating subject with skill and aplomb. There is even a complete detailed description of the modern Guillotine, its mechanics and how it is assembled. The amazing collection of 25 photographs is outstanding and completes what truly is, a most satisfying, intriguing and beautifully turned out book. Bravo!