In a dusty German bookshop, the noted historian Joel F. Harrington stumbled upon a remarkable document: the journal of a sixteenth-century executioner. The journal gave an account of the 394 people Meister Frantz Schmidt executed, and the hundreds more he tortured, flogged, or disfigured for more than forty-five years in the city of Nuremberg. But the portrait of Schmidt that gradually emerged was not that of a monster. Could a man who practiced such cruelty also be insightful, compassionate―even progressive?
In The Faithful Executioner, Harrington teases out the hidden meanings and drama of Schmidt's journal. Deemed an official outcast, Meister Frantz sought to prove himself worthy of honor and free his children from the stigma of his profession. Harrington uncovers details of Schmidt's life and work: the shocking, but often familiar, crimes of the day; the medical practice that he felt was his true calling; and his lifelong struggle to reconcile his craft with his religious faith.
Last book(s) you read?
- a_contemplative_life
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Re: Last book(s) you read?
- gattoparde59
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Re: Last book(s) you read?
I've read a number of books on the subject but I never heard of this guy. I'll look it up.a_contemplative_life wrote:
In a dusty German bookshop, the noted historian Joel F. Harrington stumbled upon a remarkable document: the journal of a sixteenth-century executioner. The journal gave an account of the 394 people Meister Frantz Schmidt executed, and the hundreds more he tortured, flogged, or disfigured for more than forty-five years in the city of Nuremberg. But the portrait of Schmidt that gradually emerged was not that of a monster. Could a man who practiced such cruelty also be insightful, compassionate―even progressive?
In The Faithful Executioner, Harrington teases out the hidden meanings and drama of Schmidt's journal. Deemed an official outcast, Meister Frantz sought to prove himself worthy of honor and free his children from the stigma of his profession. Harrington uncovers details of Schmidt's life and work: the shocking, but often familiar, crimes of the day; the medical practice that he felt was his true calling; and his lifelong struggle to reconcile his craft with his religious faith.
I'll break open the story and tell you what is there. Then, like the others that have fallen out onto the sand, I will finish with it, and the wind will take it away.
Nisa
Re: Last book(s) you read?
The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy.
- a_contemplative_life
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Re: Last book(s) you read?
A great book for reviving childhood memories.
Re: Last book(s) you read?
This'll spice up your day. Here are my recent reads
Next up:
- C++-Standardbibliothek / Rainer Grimm
- The Boost C++ Libraries / Boris Schäling
- Effective Modern C++ / Scott Meyers
Next up:
- Getting Started with Erlang / Ericsson AB
Re: Last book(s) you read?
Sehr geil!gkmoberg1 wrote:This'll spice up your day. Here are my recent readsClearly, I know how to have a good time. C++ macht Spaß!
- C++-Standardbibliothek / Rainer Grimm
- The Boost C++ Libraries / Boris Schäling
- Effective Modern C++ / Scott Meyers
Next up:
- Getting Started with Erlang / Ericsson AB
“For drama to deepen, we must see the loneliness of the monster and the cunning of the innocent.”
Re: Last book(s) you read?
Reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
“For drama to deepen, we must see the loneliness of the monster and the cunning of the innocent.”
Re: Last book(s) you read?
You should. The story actually runs concurrently and ends later in the timeline that the first book so it definitely isn't a prequel. I enjoyed it a lot.PeteMork wrote:Sounds interesting. Must look into it...Jameron wrote:...Currently listening to the audiobook "The Boy on the Bridge", which is a prequel (I believe) to "The Girl With All the Gifts". So far it has a similar feel to the previous book, which is good if you liked the first book (which I did).
I hope there are further instalments to come.
.
"For a few seconds Oskar saw through Eli’s eyes. And what he saw was … himself. Only much better, more handsome, stronger than what he thought of himself. Seen with love."
Re: Last book(s) you read?
All Quiet of the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
Re: Last book(s) you read?
That powerful book meant so much to me when I read it as a teen. I'm glad you're reading it!EEA wrote:All Quiet of the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
“For drama to deepen, we must see the loneliness of the monster and the cunning of the innocent.”