the pleasures of the torture chamber
twelfth printing, scarce, 1952.
john swain offers a grim yet meticulous account of the history of torture, from the medieval period to the 19th century. with clinical precision he distinguishes between torture for information and for punishment, revealing the dark history of tools and methods designed to inflict agony without death.
the text, first published in 1931, remains an essential resource for those seeking to understand the brutal legacies of power and control. swain’s detached tone belies the gravity of his subject, presenting a chilling portrait of eras where pain was a tool of justice.
at the end of the book, swain pleads for a more humane world, reminding us that the true horror of torture lies not just in its physical torment, but in the dehumanization it breeds. a sobering, thought-provoking work for those willing to face the unvarnished past.
london: noel douglas ltd. 229 pages. 8.75 x 6". hardcover. bound in cloth-covered boards. book condition: soiling to boards and toning to front and back free-end-papers, gentle foxing to block. very good. jacket condition: toning throughout, losses to front panel and spine, closed-tear to back. very good+. Item #1186
Price: $75.00
