About this item

A shocking exploration of America's preferred method of capital punishment.In early 2013, Robert Gleason became the latest victim of the electric chair, a peculiarly American execution method. Shouting Pg mo thin ("Kiss my ass" in Gaelic) , he grinned as electricity shot through his system. When the current was switched off, his body slumped against the leather restraints, and Gleeson, who had strangled two fellow inmates to ensure his execution was not postponed, was dead. The execution had gone flawlessly - not a guaranteed result with the electric chair, which has gone horrifically wrong on many occasions.Old Sparky covers the history of capital punishment in America and the "current wars" between Edison and Westinghouse that led to the development of the electric chair.



Read Next Recommendation

Report incorrect product information.