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My Experiences as an Executioner
My experiences as an executioner by James Berry
146 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1892
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89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 2, 2021
It was beyond my expectation.
A glorious memoir by executioner ! !
A glorious memoir by executioner ! !
August 13, 2016
This is a weird book, and not at all what I expected. I just know I like this odd, imperfect little historical gem.
The autobiography of James Berry, late 19th century British hangman, makes the wise choice to avoid any scandalously gory details. But consequently, the whole clinical and nonchalant vibe makes for an even more macabre experience -- it reminds of The Simpsons quote, where Lisa explains how to appreciate a jazz musician, "you have to listen to the notes she's not playing." The mundane first half is so dry that it's absurd; Berry beams with pride as he describes the logic and structure behind his tables for the perfect rope drop for any given weight, and shares a letter from an outside observer on calculating the correct drop for a particular case -- and then a followup where the same observer apologizes, re-derives his calculations, and shows his original calculations were off by quite a number of inches. Something about the bizarre intersection of tables, mathematics, and capital punishment just hit the right spot for me.
Moreover, My Experiences as an Executioner is a great character study. What sort of person writes a formal application to be an executioner? He is a genial and godly man, who takes the train every so often to go hang someone. He feels hanging is the most efficient method of execution and ultimate punishment (that newfangled electrocution doesn't pass muster for him). And he has an appropriately wry sense of humor about his occupation.
I don't think this book changed my mind about capital punishment (although if execution had to be a thing, and I had to be executed, I would hope the executioner would have the efficiency and decorum of James Berry), but I couldn't help but be drawn into the little microcosm of death that James Berry exists in. He was an average guy who did his job and did it well -- big whoop -- and yet the circumstances elevate this into a really engaging read.
The autobiography of James Berry, late 19th century British hangman, makes the wise choice to avoid any scandalously gory details. But consequently, the whole clinical and nonchalant vibe makes for an even more macabre experience -- it reminds of The Simpsons quote, where Lisa explains how to appreciate a jazz musician, "you have to listen to the notes she's not playing." The mundane first half is so dry that it's absurd; Berry beams with pride as he describes the logic and structure behind his tables for the perfect rope drop for any given weight, and shares a letter from an outside observer on calculating the correct drop for a particular case -- and then a followup where the same observer apologizes, re-derives his calculations, and shows his original calculations were off by quite a number of inches. Something about the bizarre intersection of tables, mathematics, and capital punishment just hit the right spot for me.
Moreover, My Experiences as an Executioner is a great character study. What sort of person writes a formal application to be an executioner? He is a genial and godly man, who takes the train every so often to go hang someone. He feels hanging is the most efficient method of execution and ultimate punishment (that newfangled electrocution doesn't pass muster for him). And he has an appropriately wry sense of humor about his occupation.
I don't think this book changed my mind about capital punishment (although if execution had to be a thing, and I had to be executed, I would hope the executioner would have the efficiency and decorum of James Berry), but I couldn't help but be drawn into the little microcosm of death that James Berry exists in. He was an average guy who did his job and did it well -- big whoop -- and yet the circumstances elevate this into a really engaging read.
January 6, 2023
You don’t find such a book every day. This was truly an interesting book. I got a perspective about human beings that I’ve never considered before…
In 1884, James Berry was driven by the need to provide for his family to a very peculiar job. He became an “Executioner” or a “Hangman”. His job altered his life significantly. He was regarded by people as a monster and for some people as a curiosity. People followed him everywhere he went and the press always wanted to talk to him to get some glance on this mystery man. His wife said once about him: “I have lived with him for nineteen years, but I don’t thoroughly know him yet”. But James simply justified his job like this: I was simply driven to it by the poverty-stricken condition of my family, which I was unable to keep in reasonable comfort upon my earnings (I was then engaged as a boot-salesman, at a small salary).
You cannot judge a man by just reading a book, but I got the impression that he was a sincere man and was always fair judging the criminals he was hanging. I got struck by how he actually “scienced” the operation of hanging a person. He had tables and equations to calculate the length of the rope (by relating the length of the rope to the body of convicted). He had tables as reference to be used to do his calculation. If the rope is too short, the convicted will suffer until he dies, if the rope is too long, the head will be chopped from it is place (he had one terrible incident like this).
I found it very interesting to read his words about his first experience in executing a man. This is how he put it: My meals did not seem to do me good, my appetite began to fall off, nothing felt good to me, everything that I put into my mouth felt like sand, and I felt as I wished I had never undertaken such an awful calling…I was thinking of the poor creatures who was slumbering their hours away, in the prison cell, just beyond where I was laid, thinking of the dreadful fate that awaited them in such a short space of time.
The best two chapters in the book were: “How Murderers dies” and “From the Murderers’ Point view”. In these two chapters he described the last moments, and the last words of murderers. How do they act? Who panics? And who dies silently? Do they show regret? and so on. One observation he brought, that he noticed that the people who are most cruel in their murderous deeds are often most cowardly after conviction. I thought this a logical statement ! I found these two chapters to be very interesting.
An interesting remark from the author is brought here:
Does the reader think that I have spun out this chapter too much? Does he think that I have unnecessarily harrowed his feelings? If so, let me assure him that I would not have given this chapter, I would not have written this book if I had not had what I believe to be good purposes in view. I have tried to avoid sensationalism, but I want to make every reader think. I want to make him think that murderers are, after all, men and women, with human sympathies and passions. I want to make him think that there are degrees of murder, that justice, and not spasmodic leniency should be the aim of our laws, and a few other thoughts that will occur to the reader without any suggestion of mine.
Few Highlights from the book:
To me, a murderer is a study. He is a man who has done an ill deed, who may or may not be naturally vicious; who may or may not be really responsible for his actions; who may or may not be devoutly penitent.
A very large proportion of murders are directly traceable to drink, and in almost every case where a murderer has said anything about the motive for his crime he has blamed the drinking habit.
If I can induce my readers to consider that a murderer has as much right to judge the State as the State has to judge him, I think this book will have achieved one good purpose.
I sometimes feel sorry that certain murderers can not go free.
This was a very interesting book. Highly Recommended.
In 1884, James Berry was driven by the need to provide for his family to a very peculiar job. He became an “Executioner” or a “Hangman”. His job altered his life significantly. He was regarded by people as a monster and for some people as a curiosity. People followed him everywhere he went and the press always wanted to talk to him to get some glance on this mystery man. His wife said once about him: “I have lived with him for nineteen years, but I don’t thoroughly know him yet”. But James simply justified his job like this: I was simply driven to it by the poverty-stricken condition of my family, which I was unable to keep in reasonable comfort upon my earnings (I was then engaged as a boot-salesman, at a small salary).
You cannot judge a man by just reading a book, but I got the impression that he was a sincere man and was always fair judging the criminals he was hanging. I got struck by how he actually “scienced” the operation of hanging a person. He had tables and equations to calculate the length of the rope (by relating the length of the rope to the body of convicted). He had tables as reference to be used to do his calculation. If the rope is too short, the convicted will suffer until he dies, if the rope is too long, the head will be chopped from it is place (he had one terrible incident like this).
I found it very interesting to read his words about his first experience in executing a man. This is how he put it: My meals did not seem to do me good, my appetite began to fall off, nothing felt good to me, everything that I put into my mouth felt like sand, and I felt as I wished I had never undertaken such an awful calling…I was thinking of the poor creatures who was slumbering their hours away, in the prison cell, just beyond where I was laid, thinking of the dreadful fate that awaited them in such a short space of time.
The best two chapters in the book were: “How Murderers dies” and “From the Murderers’ Point view”. In these two chapters he described the last moments, and the last words of murderers. How do they act? Who panics? And who dies silently? Do they show regret? and so on. One observation he brought, that he noticed that the people who are most cruel in their murderous deeds are often most cowardly after conviction. I thought this a logical statement ! I found these two chapters to be very interesting.
An interesting remark from the author is brought here:
Does the reader think that I have spun out this chapter too much? Does he think that I have unnecessarily harrowed his feelings? If so, let me assure him that I would not have given this chapter, I would not have written this book if I had not had what I believe to be good purposes in view. I have tried to avoid sensationalism, but I want to make every reader think. I want to make him think that murderers are, after all, men and women, with human sympathies and passions. I want to make him think that there are degrees of murder, that justice, and not spasmodic leniency should be the aim of our laws, and a few other thoughts that will occur to the reader without any suggestion of mine.
Few Highlights from the book:
To me, a murderer is a study. He is a man who has done an ill deed, who may or may not be naturally vicious; who may or may not be really responsible for his actions; who may or may not be devoutly penitent.
A very large proportion of murders are directly traceable to drink, and in almost every case where a murderer has said anything about the motive for his crime he has blamed the drinking habit.
If I can induce my readers to consider that a murderer has as much right to judge the State as the State has to judge him, I think this book will have achieved one good purpose.
I sometimes feel sorry that certain murderers can not go free.
This was a very interesting book. Highly Recommended.
November 17, 2015
One of the charms of the Librivox project is the way it filters non-fiction. For a book to be voxed (yes, there’s a verb…we like it) it needs to inspire someone to spend dozens of unpaid hours to record it. At the same time, many readers deliberately choose works which can not gather sufficient audience to be commercially recorded. The books which float to the surface of the project, then, tend to be curiosities that you will not discover elsewhere.
This book is an excellent example of that process. It is a memoir from a British hangman who was active until 1891. He performed 131 hangings, with only two going poorly enough for his efforts to be reviewed. Berry describes his equipment and methods, the law surrounding his profession, and his social role. Berry describes the rituals of British execution. He explains how he performed a task which he considered, at its most basic level, morally repugnant, if not strictly immoral.
I recommend this book for three primary groups of people. Writers of period crime literature will find this useful for their research. It also covers the final moments of many of the famous criminals of the period, and will be interesting to readers of true crime stories.
I listened to this book in Librivox recording, but e-texts are also available.
This review first appeared on book coasters
This book is an excellent example of that process. It is a memoir from a British hangman who was active until 1891. He performed 131 hangings, with only two going poorly enough for his efforts to be reviewed. Berry describes his equipment and methods, the law surrounding his profession, and his social role. Berry describes the rituals of British execution. He explains how he performed a task which he considered, at its most basic level, morally repugnant, if not strictly immoral.
I recommend this book for three primary groups of people. Writers of period crime literature will find this useful for their research. It also covers the final moments of many of the famous criminals of the period, and will be interesting to readers of true crime stories.
I listened to this book in Librivox recording, but e-texts are also available.
This review first appeared on book coasters
July 20, 2020
Certainly a one of a kind read. "My Experiences as an Executioner" chronicles a man's career as a professional hangsman. But do not expect the stereotypical brute in the black hood. James Berry is clinical in his perspective about his work, and he takes it very seriously. He is exacting in his calculations for each hanging, making sure the drop is correct to ensure an immediate, and therefore merciful death. Regardless of how you feel about capital punishment, if you have an open mind, you will come away from this book appreciating that not everyone in this business is a heartless monster hellbent on being cruel to their fellow man.
October 3, 2024
Interesting read. Gave me an insight into the issue of death penalty and how was the world in the 1800s.
It drew my attention how much of the death penalty crimes were due to alcohol.
It drew my attention how much of the death penalty crimes were due to alcohol.
July 29, 2020
Quite detailed in terms of the information leading up to the executions, particularly interesting was the construction and design of the gallows itself, including mathematical formulas for how long the noose should be based on weight
February 3, 2019
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August 24, 2024
This is a short and dry book. Even with an editor helping at the time it was published, it is incredibly descriptive with times, dates, documents, places, names… but in any case, it’s an amazing book that gives us a very unique perspective on death and capital punishment.
I’ve read a few books on the topic of life and death. “When Breath Becomes Air” is a reflective book from a neurosurgeon that’s diagnosed with terminal cancer - it was touching to hear Paul’s approach to death after leading a life of healing people; “Confessions of a Funeral Director” is probably my favorite, a person who’s job is to deal with corpses, widows, brokenhearted parents, desperate families… how does such a job impact one’s perspective on life and death? It’s a must-read. “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” is a classic by Tolstoy, definitely recommend and specifically the Bantam Classic edition with an introduction by Ronald Blythe. Next on the topic is “Life’s Edge” which focuses on the biological and scientific definition of what it is that it means to be alive or to be dead.
Anyways, “Confessions of an Executioner” is interesting for a variety of reasons:
1. It is the perspective of someone whose profession was to legally execute/murder people. That alone is reason enough to make you want to read this.
2. Not only his job gives him a unique perspective, but he an intelligent, well-read person who actively reflected on the topics of life/death, crime, and capital punishment.
3. James Berry, the author/executioner, is a very sensible and humane individual, he doesn’t think criminals are the scum of the earth and should all die (like reactionary authoritarians do) nor that they have no blame whatsoever for their actions (like the extreme progressivists do).
4. The book was written at the end of the 1800s… before all the fuss and buzz and polarization that we currently live in. Although it is surprisingly modern and familiar, it’s VERY refreshing to hear the opinion of someone who doesn’t know what internet and social media are, or who tf are Trump and Biden.
Strongly recommend it!
I’ve read a few books on the topic of life and death. “When Breath Becomes Air” is a reflective book from a neurosurgeon that’s diagnosed with terminal cancer - it was touching to hear Paul’s approach to death after leading a life of healing people; “Confessions of a Funeral Director” is probably my favorite, a person who’s job is to deal with corpses, widows, brokenhearted parents, desperate families… how does such a job impact one’s perspective on life and death? It’s a must-read. “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” is a classic by Tolstoy, definitely recommend and specifically the Bantam Classic edition with an introduction by Ronald Blythe. Next on the topic is “Life’s Edge” which focuses on the biological and scientific definition of what it is that it means to be alive or to be dead.
Anyways, “Confessions of an Executioner” is interesting for a variety of reasons:
1. It is the perspective of someone whose profession was to legally execute/murder people. That alone is reason enough to make you want to read this.
2. Not only his job gives him a unique perspective, but he an intelligent, well-read person who actively reflected on the topics of life/death, crime, and capital punishment.
3. James Berry, the author/executioner, is a very sensible and humane individual, he doesn’t think criminals are the scum of the earth and should all die (like reactionary authoritarians do) nor that they have no blame whatsoever for their actions (like the extreme progressivists do).
4. The book was written at the end of the 1800s… before all the fuss and buzz and polarization that we currently live in. Although it is surprisingly modern and familiar, it’s VERY refreshing to hear the opinion of someone who doesn’t know what internet and social media are, or who tf are Trump and Biden.
Strongly recommend it!
February 22, 2022
--3.5 stars rounded down--
A short and, at times, fascinating read. I found it worked well as an audiobook with the speed slightly turned up as, despite the subject under discussion, it's pretty easy to follow. It also makes the whole section about the appropriate rope lengths for people of certain weights breeze past before you have time to really start getting tired of it (as I imagine I would have, if I hadn't also been showering at the time).
Like many people who have read this book, I'm not in favour of capital punishment, but was pleased to find that James Berry comes across as a decent, conscientious and even merciful man, in contrast to what we might expect from someone with his profession. I found his compassion towards the condemned quite touching and his suggestions for reform to be, at the very least, very carefully thought through.
Standout moments for me included Berry's account of his first execution and his physical/mental reactions to it, the heartbreaking final moments of two brothers who talked to each other throughout their joint execution, Berry's description of execution methods around the world and his explanation of why he feels the British method of the time was best in terms of efficiency and mercy, and the dignity with which he responded to a libel claim at the end of the book.
In closing, I'm somewhat surprised to say that I found this book really enlightening and would recommend it to anyone of a curious nature. It's not anywhere near as bleak or gory as you might expect and seems to me to be quite a valuable historical document. I also appreciated, as I tend to more and more these days, the discipline Berry showed as a writer by not including every single detail he could remember, instead keeping the work pretty concise overall and allowing it to be a book that does what it intends without outstaying its welcome. Add to this the likeability, maturity and frankness of James Berry and you've got a pretty decent little book.
A short and, at times, fascinating read. I found it worked well as an audiobook with the speed slightly turned up as, despite the subject under discussion, it's pretty easy to follow. It also makes the whole section about the appropriate rope lengths for people of certain weights breeze past before you have time to really start getting tired of it (as I imagine I would have, if I hadn't also been showering at the time).
Like many people who have read this book, I'm not in favour of capital punishment, but was pleased to find that James Berry comes across as a decent, conscientious and even merciful man, in contrast to what we might expect from someone with his profession. I found his compassion towards the condemned quite touching and his suggestions for reform to be, at the very least, very carefully thought through.
Standout moments for me included Berry's account of his first execution and his physical/mental reactions to it, the heartbreaking final moments of two brothers who talked to each other throughout their joint execution, Berry's description of execution methods around the world and his explanation of why he feels the British method of the time was best in terms of efficiency and mercy, and the dignity with which he responded to a libel claim at the end of the book.
In closing, I'm somewhat surprised to say that I found this book really enlightening and would recommend it to anyone of a curious nature. It's not anywhere near as bleak or gory as you might expect and seems to me to be quite a valuable historical document. I also appreciated, as I tend to more and more these days, the discipline Berry showed as a writer by not including every single detail he could remember, instead keeping the work pretty concise overall and allowing it to be a book that does what it intends without outstaying its welcome. Add to this the likeability, maturity and frankness of James Berry and you've got a pretty decent little book.
February 26, 2019
Its a very good book by James Berry. This explains how he becomes executioner, his experiences with his job, social life, execution, execution procedures such as following law, use of rope,size of rope as per body and weight of the person etc. Book also covers different experiences of execution and reaction of people (those who got executed), their behavior before the sentence and after the sentence and before the exact day of execution. Various types of people, reasons of murders. Why one should not judge every criminal by same standards? their social life,poverty,mental health need to be considered etc.
How people get emotional before execution, why they repent after the murder and sentence? people are either too emotional or too cruel etc. For me it was a new knowledge and book although not directly but conveys a message and which is,"Try to be forgiving,let anger do not take control of you, think before act, stay away from any crime, stay away from any bad habits (alcoholism etc)". I really like this book, new topic, good insights into psych of everyone and good message. read ,learn and try control your anger in day today situations.
How people get emotional before execution, why they repent after the murder and sentence? people are either too emotional or too cruel etc. For me it was a new knowledge and book although not directly but conveys a message and which is,"Try to be forgiving,let anger do not take control of you, think before act, stay away from any crime, stay away from any bad habits (alcoholism etc)". I really like this book, new topic, good insights into psych of everyone and good message. read ,learn and try control your anger in day today situations.
July 16, 2022
Bardzo osobliwa pozycja, opowiadająca zarówno o przeprowadzaniu egzekucji "od kuchni" z uwzględnieniem szczegółów technicznych, jak waga skazańca i wysokość spadu, jak i o zachowaniu skazanych tuż przed dokonaniem egzekucji. Autor także podaje swoje przemyślenia na temat kary śmierci oraz ciekawostki ze swojego życia, kiedy trudnił się profesją kata.
June 19, 2018
Fascinating read. It isn't what one would expect from this type of writing and yet at the same time it very much is. Berry's verbage and expressions provide an insight that can only be called intriguing if not altogether engaging 100% of the time.
September 12, 2021
Insightful. Dislocation around the neck for a near painless death. Society's reaction to him being an executioner. Conversations with the murders, and judging whether they did deserve death. Being infamous for being an executioner.
January 3, 2022
Wspomnienia Jamesa Berrego są wartosciowym spojrzeniem na ten kontrowersyjny zawód. Autor nie szuka sensacji ani makabrycznych szczegółów, lecz skupia się bardziej na kwestiach technicznych i, co ciekawe, obyczajowych, a nawet moralnych, przytacza także kilka życiowych anegdot.
September 26, 2025
This made me think about life. Especially the stories of the criminals (the terribly guilty and the not-so-guilty). Berry is seemingly a credible voice, for the organization of his thoughts and his overall tone.
August 12, 2023
3.5/5
Misleading cover, he executed via hanging not beheading.
Misleading cover, he executed via hanging not beheading.
April 26, 2025
interesting to say the least. i wish there had been more stories on the crimes committed. definitely an unusual but informative read.
April 3, 2016
Anyone who likes to read gruesome details and gore will have to look elsewhere. You won't find such perversities in this book.
The book accomplishes what the author and editor had set out to do. While not suppressing the hard cold facts of each execution they did not go so far as to provide the dreadful and gory details; essentially they reported on the executions but did so in a manner that was respectful by not providing gruesome details.
The book also establishes that the executioner is human and this author did not relish his role but did it respectfully and accurately lest the unfortunate soul at the end of the rope should suffer. The fact that the work of bringing death took its toll on the mental and physical health on many executioners demonstrates that while it was a harsh occupation not many revelled in it.
The book accomplishes what the author and editor had set out to do. While not suppressing the hard cold facts of each execution they did not go so far as to provide the dreadful and gory details; essentially they reported on the executions but did so in a manner that was respectful by not providing gruesome details.
The book also establishes that the executioner is human and this author did not relish his role but did it respectfully and accurately lest the unfortunate soul at the end of the rope should suffer. The fact that the work of bringing death took its toll on the mental and physical health on many executioners demonstrates that while it was a harsh occupation not many revelled in it.
January 6, 2017
Some weird bits, which are to be expected considering the age of the book.
Interesting to see the whole thing from the perspective of an actual executioner.
Interesting to see the whole thing from the perspective of an actual executioner.
May 18, 2021
pretty interesting to see how it worked and his cases.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews