Lords of the Scaffold: A History of the Executioner [Hardcover]

Geoffrey Abbott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

A macabre account of executioners through the centuries, from the brutal axeman, hooded and masked, to the hangman of the present century, slick and practised. This account of executioners also tells of deaths by the sword, the guillotine, the wheel, the firing squad and the electric chair.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 191 pages
• Publisher: Eric Dobby Publishing (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1858820553
• ISBN-13: 978-1858820552
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #953,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3.0 out of 5 stars a brief review, September 10, 2011

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Wendell - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Lords of the Scaffold: A History of the Executioner (Hardcover)

"Lords of the Scaffold: A History of the Executioner" is a misleading title for this particular book. Geoffrey Abbott divides the book into methods of execution (Axe, Sword, Guillotine, Rope, Wheel, Firing Squad, & Miscellaneous). The book provides little insight into life of THE EXECUTIONER as the title would suggest.

The book feels like a shorter (and largely recycled) version of Abbott's "Execution: A Guide to the Ultimate Penalty." Both books are largely Euro-centric. If you are seeking some insight into the psyche of the men & women that have held this position over the centuries, this is NOT it. If you are looking for a rather exhaustive delineation of methods, then "Execution: A Guide to the Ultimate Penalty" should grab your attention--despite it now being a bit dated.