A Brief History of Torture

Torture has been practiced for thousands of years—sometimes in a big way, sometimes in a sneaky way. From the torture of prisoners of war in ancient Greece to the witch hunts of the Middle Ages to post-9/11 torture, torture is always around us. "A Brief History of Torture" tells the entire history of torture: it covers various periods, from ancient Greece to "9·11", from ancient society to the contemporary Abu Ghraib Prison and Guantanamo Bay Prison; it covers various regions, from Spain to England, from Algeria to Northern Ireland, from the European Inquisition to official torture in ancient China and Japan; it accommodates various torture methods, from "limb racks" and thumb clamps to electric chairs and drugs, from physical torture to mental torture... Although torture has been condemned and stigmatized since ancient times, human beings have never stopped destroying their own kind to obtain information, and they have resorted to all possible means. Why is all this happening? If torture is not used, tragic terrorist incidents will occur. What should the police do? Where is the dividing line between "simply committing violence" and "extracting information to save others"? What kind of punishment is "unpleasant but acceptable" and where does it draw the line from "unacceptable"? The issue of torture has always been accompanied by the history that torture has not declined. Regarding these issues, "A Brief History of Torture" conducts meticulous research and narration. The book is accompanied by more than 100 prints, paintings and photos. In particular, this book provides a good explanation of the topic of "man's inhumanity to man", as well as issues such as the legitimate use of power and the illegal abuse of power.