Comments on: Edison & The Electric Chair by Mark Essig http://conservativebooktalk.com/2008/03/31/edison-the-electric-chair-by-mark-essig/ Where conservatives discuss the books they read. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:58:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Sincerelyornot http://conservativebooktalk.com/2008/03/31/edison-the-electric-chair-by-mark-essig/#comment-527 Sincerelyornot Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:42:41 +0000 http://conservativebooktalk.com/?p=213#comment-527 Okay, electrocution and drugs are quick painless deaths, today, unless severely botched. Hanging used to take up to a couple of hours in the Tudor period, depending on how many ways the executioner decided to torment the victim (far less pretty). None of it is nice to think about, but as far as being killed goes, even a couple of minutes isn't all that bad. Okay, electrocution and drugs are quick painless deaths, today, unless severely botched. Hanging used to take up to a couple of hours in the Tudor period, depending on how many ways the executioner decided to torment the victim (far less pretty). None of it is nice to think about, but as far as being killed goes, even a couple of minutes isn’t all that bad.

]]> By: Matt Gardenghi http://conservativebooktalk.com/2008/03/31/edison-the-electric-chair-by-mark-essig/#comment-526 Matt Gardenghi Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:44:58 +0000 http://conservativebooktalk.com/?p=213#comment-526 BTW, something I learned in this books is that electrocution and drugs are not short quick deaths. Or aren't necessarily quick. The first electrocution took several minutes due to some botching. In fact, the victim asked them to finish it (after they stopped) because of his suffering. Not pretty. You would like the book. BTW, something I learned in this books is that electrocution and drugs are not short quick deaths. Or aren’t necessarily quick. The first electrocution took several minutes due to some botching. In fact, the victim asked them to finish it (after they stopped) because of his suffering.

Not pretty.

You would like the book.

]]> By: Sincerelyornot http://conservativebooktalk.com/2008/03/31/edison-the-electric-chair-by-mark-essig/#comment-525 Sincerelyornot Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:27:02 +0000 http://conservativebooktalk.com/?p=213#comment-525 Wow, sounds interesting. Having read so much about the Reformation era, I find the modern veiw of "cruel and unusual" fascinating. For much of the 12th-17th centuries, the unusual death penalty was one that lacked cruelty. The circus-like atmosphere (which in a sinful world eniveitably surrounds public deaths) was used as a propoganda peice, used to gain political advantages. For example, a once-powerful person in public disfavor might be executed partially on his own lack of merit, and partially (or mostly) because the people enjoying the spectacle would credit the king (for the "fun day" resulting and the removal of someone they dispised). Beheading in that time was often legally reserved for elite or specially favored of the king. It continued to be the de-facto mericful death until guns were refined to a more reliable state (18th-19th centuries). Electrocution, drugs... neither takes above a few minutes, and both provide a quick, non-painful death. Also, not humiliating because they are totally private. Only the doctor, a friend if requested, and the police witness is usually present. As a side note.... Have you ever noticed that the same people that argue for the "right" of suicide (based on the tiresome-ness of living) usually also argue for an end to the death penalty? I guess prison life is not tiresome. Wow, sounds interesting. Having read so much about the Reformation era, I find the modern veiw of “cruel and unusual” fascinating. For much of the 12th-17th centuries, the unusual death penalty was one that lacked cruelty. The circus-like atmosphere (which in a sinful world eniveitably surrounds public deaths) was used as a propoganda peice, used to gain political advantages. For example, a once-powerful person in public disfavor might be executed partially on his own lack of merit, and partially (or mostly) because the people enjoying the spectacle would credit the king (for the “fun day” resulting and the removal of someone they dispised).

Beheading in that time was often legally reserved for elite or specially favored of the king. It continued to be the de-facto mericful death until guns were refined to a more reliable state (18th-19th centuries). Electrocution, drugs… neither takes above a few minutes, and both provide a quick, non-painful death. Also, not humiliating because they are totally private. Only the doctor, a friend if requested, and the police witness is usually present.

As a side note…. Have you ever noticed that the same people that argue for the “right” of suicide (based on the tiresome-ness of living) usually also argue for an end to the death penalty? I guess prison life is not tiresome.

]]> By: Matt Gardenghi http://conservativebooktalk.com/2008/03/31/edison-the-electric-chair-by-mark-essig/#comment-524 Matt Gardenghi Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:26:43 +0000 http://conservativebooktalk.com/?p=213#comment-524 Well, its worth your time. I have never read such an informative non-fiction that was as easy to read. Well, its worth your time. I have never read such an informative non-fiction that was as easy to read.

]]> By: Hannasus http://conservativebooktalk.com/2008/03/31/edison-the-electric-chair-by-mark-essig/#comment-522 Hannasus Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:19:06 +0000 http://conservativebooktalk.com/?p=213#comment-522 An interesting find. I would like to read this one. I like it when the book is historical, yet not dry and hard to keep reading. This does not sound like that sort of book. I agree, there should be a death penalty, nothing slow, it should be quick. Thanks for the review! An interesting find. I would like to read this one. I like it when the book is historical, yet not dry and hard to keep reading.
This does not sound like that sort of book.
I agree, there should be a death penalty, nothing slow, it should be quick.
Thanks for the review!

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