The Electric Chair: An Unnatural American History

by Craig Brandon

Overview

This book provides a history of the electric chair and analyzes its features, its development, and the manner of its use. Chapters cover the early conceptual stages as a humane alternative to hanging, and the rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse that was one of the main forces in the chair's adoption as a mode of execution. Also presented are an account of the terrible first execution and a number of the subsequent gruesome employments of the chair. The text explores the changing attitudes toward the chair as state after state replaced it with lethal injection.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786444939
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	09/25/2009
Series:	Social Sciences/Criminal Justice
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	285
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late Craig Brandon was a professor at Keene State College in New Hampshire where he taught writing. He was also the author of numerous articles, a book of popular history, a newspaper journalist for two decades and served as an on-air expert for PBS, NBC, and History Channel television programs.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     

1 The Genie of the Gilded Age     
2 The Hangman's Terrible Legacy     
3 The Death Commission     
4 The Battle of the Currents     
5 The People v. William Kemmler     
6 Westinghouse's Counterattack     
7 Cruel and Unusual Punishment     
8 The Human Experiment     
9 The Reaction: “A Thrill of Indignation”     
10 The First Era: 1892–1974     
11 The Electric Chair Reborn: 1976–1998     

Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

a history of the first decade of the electric chair. Brandon tells an absorbing story...an excellent, readable work”—Choice; “one must admire Brandon’s extensive research...essential”—Library Journal; “highly readable, meticulously documented and absolutely fascinating history...an important contribution to the ongoing debate over capital punishment in this state and this country...recommended”—Bookmarks; “[the] most thorough study of the first man to be executed by current in America. Any serious student of law, New York history or politics owes himself the opportunity to read this great book”—New York Law Journal.

From the Publisher

Opponents of capital punishment have often condemned the methods of execution as vehemently as the executions themselves. Brandon (Keene State Coll., NH) contends that, in modern times, the electric chair is the most barbaric of all the methods. Ironically, although intended as a humane alternative to hanging and supported by such illustrious names as Thomas Edison, the chair has had a ghastly history of botched or gruesome executions. One must admire Brandon's extensive research. Beginning from the first execution of William Kemmler in 1890, the author furnishes detail after detail of inside information. He personalizes not only the condemned but the executioners as well. His portrait of executioner Robert Elliott, who often killed several men in one day, is priceless. Brandon never says that he is opposed to capital punishment, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions, but he does say loud and clear that electrocution should be replaced by lethal injection--which he considers a truly more humane alternative. This book is certainly not for everyone, but for crime buffs with a stomach for gruesome details, it is essential.--Frances O. Sandiford, Green Haven Correctional Facility Lib., Stormville, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Brandon (writing, Keene State College) reviews the history of the electric chair and analyzes its features and development since it was first used in 1890. Originally conceived as a humane alternative to hanging, the electric chair has recently lost popularity as a method of execution, being replaced in many cases by the newest humane executor, lethal injection. Brandon does not hide his disgust with the use of the chair, and tells the gruesome tales of some of its uses in some detail. He also discusses the economic and political sides of the story, relating the rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse that was one of the main forces in the chair's adoption as a mode of execution. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

highly readable, meticulously documented and absolutely fascinating history...an important contribution to the ongoing debate over capital punishment in this state and this country...recommended

Bookmarks

a history of the first decade of the electric chair. Brandon tells an absorbing story...an excellent, readable work

Choice