"The Faithful Executioner"
Joel F. Harrington
When I was younger, I used to wish I had been born in a different time period. Like many kids, I was drawn to the eras of Lords and Ladies, knights and castles, and something about the drama of it all. I imagined sword fights and quests, co bblestone streets and candlelight.
I'm older now, and if I hadn't already outgrown that romantic notion, this book would have finished the job.
The Faithful Executioner is set in the wild and unforgiving 16th century in Germany. The author draws firsthand from the professional executioner (who serves as both hero and villain of the story) through a meticulous journal in which he detailed the punishments he carried out, the moral logic behind his profession, and the harsh realities of “justice” in a world that was anything but just.
If you’re ever in doubt about how fortunate we are to live in the 21st century, especially in the United States, I encourage you to read this book. You will quickly count your lucky stars that you were not born the son of an executioner in that brutal era.
Joel F. Harrington does an excellent job of using one man’s story to illuminate the lives of many. The book raises fascinating and difficult questions: How does someone who has killed and tortured so many sleep at night? How was an executioner viewed by the rest of society? Was he feared, respected, or shunned? The journal offers a rare glimpse into a world where violence was a regular public spectacle, and the line between justice and cruelty was dangerously thin.
What makes this book stand out is its honest portrayal of the moral complexity faced by those living in a harsh world. Meister Franz Schmidt’s reflections are at times haunting and at other times surprisingly human. The book doesn’t glorify or vilify him; it simply presents a man trying to survive and make sense of his role in a society that depended on his grim work.
If you’re interested in history, justice, or the ways people make meaning in difficult circumstances, this is a compelling read. It challenges romanticized notions of the past and forces you to reckon with the stark realities that shaped everyday life in early modern Europe.
I'm older now, and if I hadn't already outgrown that romantic notion, this book would have finished the job.
The Faithful Executioner is set in the wild and unforgiving 16th century in Germany. The author draws firsthand from the professional executioner (who serves as both hero and villain of the story) through a meticulous journal in which he detailed the punishments he carried out, the moral logic behind his profession, and the harsh realities of “justice” in a world that was anything but just.
If you’re ever in doubt about how fortunate we are to live in the 21st century, especially in the United States, I encourage you to read this book. You will quickly count your lucky stars that you were not born the son of an executioner in that brutal era.
Joel F. Harrington does an excellent job of using one man’s story to illuminate the lives of many. The book raises fascinating and difficult questions: How does someone who has killed and tortured so many sleep at night? How was an executioner viewed by the rest of society? Was he feared, respected, or shunned? The journal offers a rare glimpse into a world where violence was a regular public spectacle, and the line between justice and cruelty was dangerously thin.
What makes this book stand out is its honest portrayal of the moral complexity faced by those living in a harsh world. Meister Franz Schmidt’s reflections are at times haunting and at other times surprisingly human. The book doesn’t glorify or vilify him; it simply presents a man trying to survive and make sense of his role in a society that depended on his grim work.
If you’re interested in history, justice, or the ways people make meaning in difficult circumstances, this is a compelling read. It challenges romanticized notions of the past and forces you to reckon with the stark realities that shaped everyday life in early modern Europe.
🌙
This is my first single moon (so far), but it’s not a knock on the book. The subject matter is fascinating, and the insights are rich. However, it’s a dense and sometimes grim read. I probably wouldn’t recommend it for bedtime reading.
This is my first single moon (so far), but it’s not a knock on the book. The subject matter is fascinating, and the insights are rich. However, it’s a dense and sometimes grim read. I probably wouldn’t recommend it for bedtime reading.
☕☕☕
As for coffee cups, I’m awarding three. The writing is engaging and thoughtful, but the heavy content and detailed historical context demand attention and patience.
As for coffee cups, I’m awarding three. The writing is engaging and thoughtful, but the heavy content and detailed historical context demand attention and patience.