Book Summary: The History Of Torture

This is a summary of many ways on how people were tortured during the time period of 1800-1914. The story creates a fascinating account of the use of torture throughout history which is openly a crime against humanity. The practice of torture was legal for at least 3,000 years, and formed a part of most legal codes in Europe and the Far East. In The History of Torture the complete story of torture is told, from its earliest uses right through to the present day.
The book I read explains the many tools and techniques of torture, which range from obvious vicious methods to the most subtle of mental cruelties. The rack is one of the most enduring torture tools: first written of in Ancient Greece, it was used to stretch the victim's body from either end! Another torture tool is the Thumbscrews, the thumbscrews were introduced to Western Europe from Russia in the seventeenth century. The thumbscrew was applied to crush the prisoners big toes. Larger, heavier devices based on the same design were applied to crush feet and ears. With the twentieth century came the use of new technologies: electrodes were attached to various parts of the victim's body to cause electric shocks, while a number of drugs, including hallucinogens, have been used to make people confess. The electric chair was first seen in New York on …show more content…
It offers a remarkable overview of man's inhumanity to man and the use and abuse of power, both outside and within the legal system. A fascinating account of the use of torture throughout history is undeniably a crime against humanity. Yet, however the practice of torture appears to us today, it was legal for at least 3,000 years, and formed a part of most legal codes in Europe and the Far East. In The History and Methods of Torture the complete story of torture is told, from its earliest uses right through to the present