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,

Absolutely fascinating book, really captured my attention
I've always been interested in why people was executed and who hang men were etc
This book was very revealing
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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This book was fascinating! I love learning things from the past and this was so well described and the details are crazy. It really puts you in the shoes of the Hangman and gives you an idea exactly how their lives were back then.

Neil R Storey gives a real insight into this terrible but necessary post at the time. He shows the toll that it takes in the mind of the man that has to carry out the ultimate punishment. I believe that Albert Peirrepoint suffered also having read his autobiography but not as extremely as Ellis. Before people advocate the return of it they should ask themselves would I do it, I think most of them wouldn't. Well written and researched.

This is absolutely fascinating. Accounts of historical cases leading to execution in the words of the executioner himself. Such a strange mix of deeply insightful and fairly emotional observations offered alongside clinical details of the length or “drop” required. I was intrigued by Ellis’ inability to explain what drove him to seek out, and with such determination, this career. A well presented account with useful references and photographs included,

I enjoyed this book. It is filled with hisorical facts about John Ellis.

Ellis was a hangman during the early 1900's and saw the deaths of several infamous killers.

I loved the background of Ellis, the choices he made and how he felt about being a hangman was interesting.

You may think keeping a ledger of his unusual job might be macabre but I am so glad he did. It is a fascinating read and revisiting the killers and their victims made me have a double sided view of the death sentences that Ellis carried out.

It will bring back debates and views of such a sentence, especially in todays horrific world.

This is a brilliant read I will be recommending it to my library bookclub and will enjoy other readers views.