True tales of sanctioned executions-beheadings, stabbings, chokings, electrocutions, and more-ripped from the annals of history by master mystery author Howard Engel   In his first work of true crime, award-winning mystery writer Howard Engel traces the hangman's tradition from medieval England and early Canada to the present-day United States. Throughout "civilized" history, executioners employed on behalf of the kingdom, republic, or dictatorship have beheaded, chopped, stabbed, choked, gassed, electrocuted, or beaten criminals to death-and Engel doesn't shy away from the gritty details of the executioner's lifestyle, focusing on the paragons, buffoons, and sadists of the dark profession.   Packed with all-too-true stories, from hapless hangings to butchered beheadings, this historically accurate look at the executioner's gruesome work makes for a thoroughly gripping read.  

A grisly tour of hangings, electrocutions, beheadings-and other state-sanctioned deaths that are part of the long history of the death penalty.
In Lord High Executioner, award-winning writer Howard Engel traces the traditions of capital punishment from medieval England and early Canada to the present-day United States. Throughout "civilized" history, executioners employed on behalf of the kingdom, republic, or dictatorship have beheaded, chopped, stabbed, choked, gassed, electrocuted, or beaten criminals to death-and Engel doesn't shy away from the gritty details of the executioner's lifestyle, focusing on the paragons, buffoons, and sadists of the dark profession.

Packed with all-too-true stories, from hapless hangings to butchered beheadings, this historically accurate look at the executioner's gruesome work makes for a thoroughly gripping read.