I'm finally getting a chance to review this book after it failed to download from Netgalley. I eventually was able to borrow a copy from my public library. This book details the military career of Master Sergeant John Woods, who became the executioner for the US Army during and after WWII. Expertly researched, the book follows his early life, through his dishonorable discharge, reenlistment, and eventual training and career as a hangman. Although I found it a bit dry and dull, I was also somewhat fascinated by this little known figure in history and the still unsolved mystery of his death. The rare photos included in the book really brought his career to life.

This is the fascinating story of John C Woods, US hangman during WWII. His was an intriguing life and little first-hand documentation survives. The author does a good job in penetrating some of the mystery, although Woods’ death can still not be adequately explained. He was dishonourably discharged from the US Navy before the war but then joined up when WWII broke out and found himself the official hangman shortly afterwards. Some sources claim that he carried out over 340 executions during his 15 year career, but what he is most remembered for is his role in hanging 10 senior Nazis during the Nuremberg trials. He also took part in the execution of about 45 war criminals at various locations in Germany after the war. Apparently he wasn’t always a very good hangman and many executions were botched. The book is very well researched but is a fairly dry factual account and doesn't manage to give any feel for Woods’ personality – not the author's fault, but unsatisfying nonetheless. However, I found it an interesting and enjoyable read, and the many illustrations added to my reading pleasure.

This book was fast paced. Hard to put down. It flowed well and it was very well written. It caught hold of me and had me hooked from the start . I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book.

I've read about the Nuremberg Trials before, but never had I thought about the hangman who dispatched the convicted Nazis. John Woods executed ten of them, after being dishonorably discharged from the US Navy before the war. The author tells the story how Woods went from being kicked out of the military to becoming a master sergeant hanging war criminals....sometimes poorly (many did not drop far enough to snap their necks and thus died by strangulation). Some would say his mistakes were actually an appropriate punishment for Nazis, but that's neither here nor there.

All in all an interesting book about an enigmatic man who has mostly escaped notice in the historical record.

This is a book about a series of executions that were carried out in Europe in the 1940s by a hangman for the US Army, Master Sergeant John C. Woods. He seems to have watched his superior carry them out for a while, then he began doing them under his supervision. After a while it appears it was felt that he was proficient enough to handle them on his own. Much of the book is a dry recitation of the details of the hangings, repetitively given, unless there were something that happened to remark upon that was unusual. It is interesting in itself, but for someone like myself with a severe sleep disorder, it makes it really difficult to get through much of the time, with so little variation.

The person’s crime is retold, and then their court case and outcome with sentence. They didn’t mess around with long waits for death sentences back then! No long appeals process either. Within a couple of months or more, the event is scheduled and happening. They would build a gallows near the scene of the crime, if possible. If the weather looked like it might be bad, they would look for somewhere to put it up indoors, such as a barn. Then at the appointed time, all of the assigned personnel would be in their places.

There would be guards to keep the curious away, a number of witnesses from different groups, some from the Army, some from the French locals, some from the victim’s family if they wish. At a couple of minutes before the hour, a transport vehicle would pull up with the prisoner and his two escorts, and they get out then tie his hands. They help him up the steps to the gallows and his clergy is there. He is asked by one of the military men, and the clergy if he has any last words, then a black hood is placed over his head along with the noose, which is adjusted just so.

The silent signal is given and the hangman cuts the rope to the weight that releases the trap door, and the condemned falls through. After a number of minutes, the three military doctors go down to the bottom screened off part of the gallows to check the inmate. He is pronounced dead with the exact time given and his body is then cut free, so it can be taken away and buried with the others. This is all noted and taken down in a book by the appointed recorder, who lists everyone present also. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Col. French L. MacLean, US Army (Ret), and the publisher.
(3.5 stars of 5)

Unfortunately this cannot be downloaded as a Kindle version so I’m unable to review this. Apologies.