The History of Corporal Punishment

by George Ryley Scott

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, BDSM

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 1996

Reviews

[Judy]

Basically the writer considers all aspects and decides the physical punishment should no longer be applied:
1. It is difficult to judge which cases would be effective.
2. It is based on created fear of physical pain.
3. It is degrading and humiliating
4. It is not beneficial for those who administer it.
5. It can create sexual feelings.
6. It can contribute to sado-masochism.
7. Whippings of dogs demonstrate that they do not recover quickly.
Apparently the writer has problems with a "feministic civilization."
"... All these things are cumulatively destructive and dismaying. All point to the creation and development of precisely those attitudes of mind and conduct where an extension of true masochisim may well develop in an increasingly feministic civilization.

[Albemarle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the 60s and reprinted in the 90s, this book seemed a little out of touch with the current approach to its main subject – the connection between eroticism and punishment, in the guise of corrective punishment. Whether it is fashionable or not is of no consequence to me. I found it an interesting read and one that gave me a basic tenet for certain assumptions of mine about the servility of the majority of humankind. I am grateful to Scott for his approach to what is still a delicate situation. We pride ourselves in being rational… as if situations demand explanations… I see it rather, in our Anthropocene, as our own interests demanding airing through the pretence of objectivity.