How did it feel to be faced with the prospect of being branded, pressed to death or boiled alive in oil? In this classic account of the history of torture, Geoffrey Abbott guides us through some of the worst torture methods known to man, from chilli powder punishment to needles under nails, with a style both chilling and full of dark humour. From the rack and the iron maiden to the Scavenger's daughter and the electric chair, Abbott offers detailed insights into the dark side of history through a uniquely blood-curdling lens. Prepare to be shocked to the bone with this gruesome collection of tormenting tales that span from the early days of the Normans right up to the late nineteenth century. AUTHOR: Geoffrey Abbott served in the RAF for 35 years before becoming a "Beefeater" at the Tower of London. He wrote more than 24 books on torture and execution, appeared in numerous TV documentaries as consultant or executioner and wrote entries on torture and execution for the Encyclopedia Britannica. SELLING POINTS: Will appeal to readers with an interest in the gory side of history, such as those who enjoy visiting The London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds Chamber of Horrors. Other books by Geoffrey Abbott: 'Execution: A Guide to the Ultimate Penalty' (ISBN: 9781849532556) and' Female Executions: Martyrs, Murderesses and Madwomen' (ISBN: 9781849534932).

Author Biography

Geoffrey Abbott served in the RAF for 35 years before becoming a Beefeater at the Tower of London. He wrote more than 24 books on torture and execution, appeared in numerous TV documentaries as consultant or executioner and, by invitation, wrote entries on torture and execution for the Encyclopedia Britannica. He once stood on the drop trapdoors in the execution chamber of Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow (as a fact-finding author, not a convicted criminal!) and also experienced having a noose placed around his neck by a professional hangman the late Sydney Dernley, a man endowed with a great, if macabre, sense of humour!