Torture and the Law of Proof - Annotated by John H Langbein (Paperback)
$32.00 when purchased online
Target Online store #3991
About this item
Highlights
- In Torture and the Law of Proof John H. Langbein explores the world of the thumbscrew and the rack, engines of torture authorized for investigating crime in European legal systems from medieval times until well into the eighteenth century.
- About the Author: John H. Langbein is the Sterling Professor of Law and Legal History at Yale University.
- 240 Pages
- Freedom + Security / Law Enforcement, Legal History
Description
Book Synopsis
In Torture and the Law of Proof John H. Langbein explores the world of the thumbscrew and the rack, engines of torture authorized for investigating crime in European legal systems from medieval times until well into the eighteenth century. Drawing on juristic literature and legal records, Langbein's book, first published in 1977, remains the definitive account of how European legal systems became dependent on the use of torture in their routine criminal procedures, and how they eventually worked themselves free of it. The book has recently taken on an eerie relevance as a consequence of controversial American and British interrogation practices in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In a new introduction, Langbein contrasts the "new" law of torture with the older European law and offers some pointed lessons about the difficulty of reconciling coercion with accurate investigation. Embellished with fascinating illustrations of torture devices taken from an eighteenth-century criminal code, this crisply written account will engage all those interested in torture's remarkable grip on European legal history.Review Quotes
"Like all good monographs, Torture and the Law of Proof not only does what it sets out to do well but points to new directions. It is a concise scholarly work that compares two legal systems with graceful ease and has provocative implications extending far beyond the sleazy world of rack, strappado, and thumb screw."--Charles Carlton "American Historical Review"
About the Author
John H. Langbein is the Sterling Professor of Law and Legal History at Yale University. He is the editor or author of several books, including, most recently, The Origins of Adversary Criminal Trial.Dimensions (Overall): 8.38 Inches (H) x 6.0 Inches (W) x .53 Inches (D)
Weight: .65 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 240
Genre: Freedom + Security / Law Enforcement
Sub-Genre: Legal History
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Format: Paperback
Author: John H Langbein
Language: English
Street Date: August 15, 2006
TCIN: 1006091019
UPC: 9780226468945
Item Number (DPCI): 247-20-1201
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.53 inches length x 6 inches width x 8.38 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.65 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.