Book Brief

The Faithful Executioner: Life and Death, Honor and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century

Joel F. Harrington

The Faithful Executioner: Life and Death, Honor and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2013

Book Brief

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Joel F. Harrington

The Faithful Executioner: Life and Death, Honor and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Mystery & Crime Fiction

•

Biography
Period
Medieval
Setting

Germany • 16th century

Topic
World History

•

European History

•

Grief & Death
First Publication Year

2013

Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Faithful Executioner: Life and Death, Honor and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century by Joel F. Harrington explores the life of Meister Frantz Schmidt, an executioner in 16th-century Nuremberg. Through Schmidt's diary, Harrington examines the societal roles, challenges, and personal experiences of executioners, providing insights into themes of justice, morality, and human dignity during a tumultuous era.

Informative

Dark

Mysterious

Challenging

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

6,620 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Faithful Executioner by Joel F. Harrington offers a vivid portrayal of a sixteenth-century executioner. Reviews praise its engaging storytelling and historical depth, yet some critique it for occasional repetitiveness. Overall, the book successfully humanizes its subject while shedding light on societal norms of the time.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Faithful Executioner: Life and Death, Honor and Shame in the Turbulent Sixteenth Century?

Readers interested in The Faithful Executioner by Joel F. Harrington likely enjoy historical biographies, early modern European history, and true crime. Comparable to Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, it appeals to those fascinated by the interplay of personal narratives and broader social dynamics.

4.0

6,620 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Mystery & Crime Fiction

•

Biography
Period
Medieval
Setting

Germany • 16th century

Topic
World History

•

European History

•

Grief & Death
First Publication Year

2013

Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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