Hung, Drawn and Quartered: The Story of Execution Through the Ages

Putting the gore into gory This no-holds-barred exposé of executions through the ages begins with the delights of the Roman Colosseum, where criminals were ripped apart by wild animals. It then moves through the Middle Ages—a period during which criminals were variously broken, burned, boiled, quartered, drowned, and impaled. Next up is the art of hanging, before journeying to France for a look at the invention of the guillotine and its role in the French Revolution. Moving on to the 20th century, the electric chair, the gas chamber, and death by lethal injection are also covered. Packed with deliciously gruesome illustrations, this book explores a variety of curious questions—such as how long heads remain conscious after getting the chop. It also reveals fascinating anecdotes—such as the story of the executioner who died by falling off the stage when holding up a victim’s head for the crowd to see. Not for the faint-hearted Hung, Drawn, and Quartered is definitely “Adults Only.”