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The Hangman's Scrapbook: The Life and Executions of John Ellis
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jan 25224 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 18, 2024
The Hangman‘s Scrapbook, the life and executions of John Ellis by Neil R Storey, I like how as the book goes on to describe hangings he’s done he also intertwined his personal life from the friend he stayed with when doing certain executions out of town and all the intricate details of doing the actual hanging. I loved his proper writing style the first person narrative and everything else the book had to offer from crimes I’ve heard of to those I haven’t. I especially liked how incredulous Mr. Ellis was at the powers that be wanting him to handle Mr. Armstrong with kid gloves even after he was found guilty for the dastardly deed of killing his innocent wife. Reading his personal opinions on the hangings and other situations happening in his modern day was really a fascinating way to spend an afternoon and wish I could’ve read this book all in one setting but having said that I am just glad I got to read it this is really an interesting book and although it was written in the early 19th century it is easy to read with a fascinating subject matter.#PenAndSwordHistory, #NetGalley, #NeilRStorey, #TheHangman’sScrapbook,
September 25, 2024
The Hangman's Scrapbook by Neil R. Storey is one of the most riveting books I've read this year. The topic of hanging is not pleasant but the stories are told with incredible thoughtfulness and sensitivity to everyone involved from the murder victims to those who paid for their crimes with their lives. John Ellis describes his wife's and family's views on his choice of becoming a hangman.
John Ellis decided to become a hangman at a young age. He couldn't really explain why but did want to ensure the law was upheld in the most humane way possible. A hairdresser by trade, he underwent intense hangman training. His new position took him all over Britain and Ireland first as an assistant then as the senior hangman from 1901-1924. He hanged over 200 men and women, infamous and not. He made meticulous notes in his leger as others in his position did. But he went the extra mile and kept a scrapbook with details of his cases including factual crime accounts, what the prisoner's last meal and words were, how the condemned coped and acted the night before and morning of the execution and how the final seconds went. He also described his impressions and feelings and commented on the most calm hanging, the most memorable, the saddest, the most violent prisoner and the meekest and everything between. Some confessed, others maintained innocence. Ellis believed some should not have been executed but the decision was not his. He had to carry out the law.
The intelligence and mercy Ellis showed was remarkable. His goal was to minimize psychological and physical discomfort. He went out of his way to improve the process to make it easier on everyone including the warders but especially the prisoners. I really appreciate that about him. His life as a hangman was fraught with anxiety, especially one case in particular which contributed to his early death.
If you are intrigued to learn why Ellis became a hangman and the psychology behind hanging, this book is unmissable. I learned so much and can't stop thinking about its impact. This is one powerful, powerful book.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal book.
John Ellis decided to become a hangman at a young age. He couldn't really explain why but did want to ensure the law was upheld in the most humane way possible. A hairdresser by trade, he underwent intense hangman training. His new position took him all over Britain and Ireland first as an assistant then as the senior hangman from 1901-1924. He hanged over 200 men and women, infamous and not. He made meticulous notes in his leger as others in his position did. But he went the extra mile and kept a scrapbook with details of his cases including factual crime accounts, what the prisoner's last meal and words were, how the condemned coped and acted the night before and morning of the execution and how the final seconds went. He also described his impressions and feelings and commented on the most calm hanging, the most memorable, the saddest, the most violent prisoner and the meekest and everything between. Some confessed, others maintained innocence. Ellis believed some should not have been executed but the decision was not his. He had to carry out the law.
The intelligence and mercy Ellis showed was remarkable. His goal was to minimize psychological and physical discomfort. He went out of his way to improve the process to make it easier on everyone including the warders but especially the prisoners. I really appreciate that about him. His life as a hangman was fraught with anxiety, especially one case in particular which contributed to his early death.
If you are intrigued to learn why Ellis became a hangman and the psychology behind hanging, this book is unmissable. I learned so much and can't stop thinking about its impact. This is one powerful, powerful book.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal book.
October 6, 2024
This is an absolutely astonishing account of executioner, John Ellis. I’d read a book about Pierrpoint, a later executioner, but wasn’t aware of Ellis who despatched over two hundred individuals convicted of murder in the early part of the twentieth century. What makes this book remarkable is that the author has had access to a personal scrapbook kept by Ellis in which he records details if every hanging.
Storey details how Ellis became an executioner and I’ve the years, it’s clear that this job was taking a mental toll. He was responsible for carrying out the execution of some of the most notable figures; Crippen, Haigh, Smith and Casement. Like Pierrpoint, it was the execution of a female that haunted him. There’s a comprehensive bibliography and some incredible photos of hanging chambers, subjects and Ellis. It’s a gruesome but fascinating subject and those who enjoy true crime will find this a revelation. Very well written and I’ve enjoyed this detailed insight into so many notorious crimes and criminals, along with the notes made by Ellis. Highly recommended.
Storey details how Ellis became an executioner and I’ve the years, it’s clear that this job was taking a mental toll. He was responsible for carrying out the execution of some of the most notable figures; Crippen, Haigh, Smith and Casement. Like Pierrpoint, it was the execution of a female that haunted him. There’s a comprehensive bibliography and some incredible photos of hanging chambers, subjects and Ellis. It’s a gruesome but fascinating subject and those who enjoy true crime will find this a revelation. Very well written and I’ve enjoyed this detailed insight into so many notorious crimes and criminals, along with the notes made by Ellis. Highly recommended.
September 30, 2024
This is a fascinating look into one of Britain's hangmen in the early 1900s. The book is well written and researched. I found it amusing that Ellis decided he should like to be a hangman one day, then went out and did it. I felt like there were some places that could have used elaboration and others that felt like they were out of sync. However, given that this is an ARC that may be rectified in the final version.
Overall, an extremely interesting peek at what proved to be a very interesting profession,
My thanks to Pen and Sword History and Netgalley for this ARC.
Overall, an extremely interesting peek at what proved to be a very interesting profession,
My thanks to Pen and Sword History and Netgalley for this ARC.
October 9, 2024
This is a book of extracts from the diaries and scrapbook of John Ellis, an executioner between 1901 and 1924. All executioners kept ledgers of everyone they had executed during their time, but Ellis had an additional scrapbook where he voiced his thoughts and actions. Transcribed by the author, we get to read an accurate account from the executioner of some of the most infamous murderers of the early 20th century. The book was well researched and well written by the author and we get to hear of, not only Ellis's time as executioner, but his early years and family life.
I'd heard of some of the murderers which were in Ellis's scrapbook, but some of them I'd unheard of. He writes of their crimes, sentences and execution - some in more detail than others - and this was all really interesting. There was also information about the "technical" parts of the hangings, for example how they work out the length of the drop and what happens if its too long or short. It's an unusual occupation which obviously isn't a role in the UK anymore, but thanks to his diligent record keeping we get to read about it many years later. His life as an executioner came with many life stresses, some which contributed to his early death. This was a very interesting insight which I enjoyed reading.
I'd heard of some of the murderers which were in Ellis's scrapbook, but some of them I'd unheard of. He writes of their crimes, sentences and execution - some in more detail than others - and this was all really interesting. There was also information about the "technical" parts of the hangings, for example how they work out the length of the drop and what happens if its too long or short. It's an unusual occupation which obviously isn't a role in the UK anymore, but thanks to his diligent record keeping we get to read about it many years later. His life as an executioner came with many life stresses, some which contributed to his early death. This was a very interesting insight which I enjoyed reading.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews