Pleasures of the Torture Chamber

by John Swain

A reprint of the classic 1931 text detailing torture methods used throughout history. Illustrated.

Genres: History

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Charles Goodger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandfather researched and wrote this a few years before his untimely death from pneumonia in 1940. As well as a writer and researcher John Swain (real name Charles John Swainston Goodger) was a barrister working in the law courts of Newcastle.

Rather than pandering to the sadistic fantasies of psychopaths, "The Pleasure of the Torture Chamber" traces the history of torture meticulously. Its final chapter contains a heartfelt plea for a kinder, more human world. I wonder what my grandfather would have made of the atrocities of Auschwitz and Birkenau had he survived the war.

This is not a book for the squeamish. However if you are interested in reading about organised cruelty over the years, you will find it fascinating.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, just have to keep in mind when it was written. We've learned/discovered more since this book but it's very good and seems, to my novice mind, mostly accurate.

[Robert]

No review as yet. Research item as it is a major source in The End of Faith. It does make the point that while torture had been around for some time, it took the Roman Catholic church to really bring it forward and refine it into the standard instrument of applied political power that we know today.

[Felisa Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully detailed history of torture techniques throughout the ages. I wouldn't recommend trying to sit down and read it cover to cover--you start to feel a bit unnverved after awhile.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic source of information.