The history of torture

From such transgressions against society as adultery, heresy and espionage, from the primitive snake pit to sophisticated methods of brainwashing, there have been literally thousands of techniques devised to distort both the body and the mind and to satisfy the sadistic needs of those who command, perform and witness human torture.

Author Daniel P. Mannix examines every aspect of torture: the professional torturers, many of them history's most famous men and women; their theories and techniques; the role torture has played in history; and the refinements brought to the practice of torture by individual fanatics, religious groups, the military and entire cultures.