About this Item
Book is in Used-Good condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain limited notes and highlighting. 1.1. Seller Inventory # 0312352220-2-4
Bibliographic Details
Title: Execution: The Guillotine, the Pendulum, the...
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 2006
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good
About this title
In his own darkly humorous style, Geoffrey Abbott describes the instruments used and their effectiveness and reveals the macabre origins of familiar phrases such as “gone west” or “drawn a blank,” as well as the jargon of the underworld. He covers everything from the preparation of the victim to the disposal of the body. Execution is everything you ever wanted to know about the ultimate penalty---and a lot you never thought to ask.
It includes such hair-raising categories as:
· Cave of Roses: A rare Swedish method of execution in which the victim was confined to a cave full of snakes and poisonous reptiles.
· Bastinado: Involved the victim being caned gently and rhythmically with a lightweight stick on the soles of the feet until the mental collapse and eventual death of the victim.
· Sewn in an Animal’s Belly: A living person is sewn into the belly of an animal and left to die.
· The Spanish Donkey: This method of torture consisted of seating a victim on top of a wall that resembled an inverted “v” with weights attached to the ankles, the weights slowly increased until the victim’s body split in two.
· Iron Chair: The victim is tied to an iron armchair and pushed nearer and nearer to a blazing fire.
· Sawn in Half: Victims are secured in a standing position, pinned between two wide boards fixed between a stake driven deep into the ground while two executioners (one on each side) would wield a long, two-handled saw downwards through the boards.
Execution is a unique fascinating look at the grim and gritty history of sanctioned death.
Geoffrey Abbott served for many years as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London. Author of nineteen books and contributor to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, he has made numerous television appearances. He lives in London.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Store Description
Thank you for your interest in our books!
Our store policies adhere to the policies set forth by AbeBooks.
We strive to keep our descriptions accurate and our shipping fast. We are available to answer any questions you may have prior to ordering about the product or shipping.
We accept payment from all major credit cards. We do not accept checks, money orders, cash or Paypal payments. Please do not email or send us your credit card information directly. All payment information is processed by Ab...
More InformationGuarantee
We guarantee your order will ship within 2 business days from the United States.
Shipping rates are based on books weighing 2.2 lbs or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.
Information
In very rare cases, your book may take longer to reach than quoted for unexpected reasons. If there is any problem with ordering or shipment, please contact us right away. We ensure a response within 48 hours. Please note that the chance of shipping delays is higher during holiday seasons.
Please double-check your information
We cannot be responsible for delivery problems/loss due to customers’ error. We encourage all customers to double check form information, especially delivery address, before submitting orders.
Payment Methods
accepted by seller