Instruments of Torture - Softcover

Kerrigan, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1585742473 ISBN 13: 9781585742479

Publisher: The Lyons Press, 2001

Synopsis

Freelance writer Kerrigan traces the history of the technology of torture from antiquity to the present in all parts of the globe. The different methods of inflicting pain are grouped by type (i.e. stretching, water torture, beating, mental cruelty). Kerrigan concludes with a discussion of the efforts of groups such as Amnesty International who seek to bring an end to torture. The text is accompanied throughout by b&w photographs and woodcuts depicting instruments of torture and their victims. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

From the Back Cover

Torture is associated most closely with the absolute monarchies of history and the totalitarian and dictatorial regimes of the more recent past and present day. The classical world employed it widely though by no means indiscriminately, while in the West it doesn't seem to have been used systematically until the medieval era. After the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century, western countries began banning it - though actual practice didn't necessarily keep pace with official legislation. Even in the last few years, such democratic countries as Denmark, the UK, and the United States have at one time or another, it is claimed, strayed over the boundary between justifiably close and actually abusive questioning. The Instruments of Torture looks at the techniques and tools used in torture, ranging from the earliest known historical instances of the practice right up to the present time and covering practices used throughout the world. The different methods of inflicting pain are grouped by type (stretching, for instance, having been used particularly in the European Renaissance as well as being still widespread in the Middle East), showing the grim parallels in torture as used in different cultures and contexts. (7 1/2 x 9 1/2, 192 pages, b&w photos, etchings)

Edition details

• Publisher: The Lyons Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1585742473
• ISBN 13: 9781585742479
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192