The Pleasures of the Torture Chamber (1951)

John Swain's morbid history of torture...

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition, eleventh impression. Hardback in dustwrapper. 22 × 14cm, 229pp.

First published in 1931, John Swain's The Pleasures of the Torture Chamber is a classic history of judicial torment, corporal punishment, and institutionalized cruelty. Describing the mechanics of torture from antiquity through to the 19th century including the Rack, the Scold’s Bridle, and the Iron Maiden to flogging, branding, press-to-death (peine forte et dure), Swain ends with the hope that state-sanctioned cruelty will end and with it the dehumanization that comes from it.

Condition

Fair condition only. Whilst the book remains in strong readable condition, it was previously owned by a heavy smoker and has a strong tobacco odour. Some tanning to the pages, and the wrapper is chipped to the edges and tanned to the edges and spine.

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