A handbook on hanging : being a short introduction to the fine art of execution ... - Duff, Charles, 1894- (New York : New York Review Books, 2001)
"... A Swiftian tribute ... not only of hanging but of electrocution, decapitation, and gassing; of innocent men executed and of executions botched; of the bloodlust of mobs and political expedients of the great."--Cover.
Hangmen born, not made -- Hangman's verses for his client -- The Scienza Nuova -- A wicked calumny refuted -- Spilsbury on the drop -- Hand-in-hand with science -- Hanging, flogging, war, and sadism -- The late Mr. Berry on hanging -- Vital importance of the drop -- Mr. Marwood -- pioneer of the new science -- A rough working list of drops -- Doctor's advice on hanging -- The Goodale mess explained -- Doctor who erred -- A hangman's diploma -- How hanging kills -- Note on pinioning -- Note on scaffolds -- Hangman describes hanging -- An "order to hang" -- The Holy procession -- Last scene of all -- Those last fleeting hours -- Hangman shakes hands and gets busy -- Fabulous speed of English hangings -- Scaffold unaffected by progress, revolutions, or select committees -- Britain stands by her hangmen -- The last certificate -- The new Homicide Act of 1957 -- No hangings : no increase in murders! -- The new Sexual Offenses Act -- Campaign for more hanging : 1960's -- England's defeat no always a victory -- Homosexuality in England and France -- Conclusion -- Appendix : A ready reckoner for hangmen.
Originally published: London : Putnam, 1961.
Includes bibliographical references.
committed to retain
Keywords: Hanging; Capital punishment