Exposing Torture: Centuries of Cruelty

by Hal Marcovitz

Is torture ever an effective means of controlling human behavior? Can it help root out information about terrorism or other crimes? Over the centuries, many people have supported the point of view that it can, while others vehemently disagree. Exposing Torture tackles complex questions, delving into the history of torture, from the flayings, burnings, and methods used in ancient societies to the psychological and sexual torture of the twenty-first century. Readers will examine the ethical and moral dilemmas and learn about international efforts to ensure the humanitarian treatment of individuals. After reading this in-depth examination, readers will be able to make a persuasive argument to answer the question: Is torture ever acceptable?

Genres: Nonfiction

112 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Hal Marcovitz has been making his living as a writer for more than a quarter-century. He has worked as a reporter and columnist for several daily newspapers, and can now be found reporting for The Morning Call of Allentown, PA, where he covers government and politics in the Bucks County Courthouse in suburban Philadelphia.

Hal is also the author of more than 50 nonfiction books for young readers. He has written biographies of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, civil rights leader Al Sharpton, farm labor leader Cesar Chavez, and film director Ron Howard. He has also written about the lives of several presidents, including Bill Clinton, John Adams, James Monroe, Theodore Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy.

Hal lives in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Gail, and daughters Ashley and Michelle.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torture has been around since the beginning of time, as demonstrated by the research for the book that documents situations from the Greeks and Romans, Egyptians, through contemporary situations like Abu Gharaib prison and waterboarding. There are unique elements to the book including some graphic illustrations of some of the torture techniques but also a wide range of issues related that includes war, prisoners of war, control, or explaining irregularities (women who were unmarried were deemed witches and tortured).

The most memorable chapter for me was learning about Senator John McCain's six years as a POW and what he was exposed to and his reactions to the types of tortures used. And while the book doesn't have a strong spine that holds it all together, cohesively moving from chapter to chapter, it is a topic that needs to be written about for teens so that they can also, as Marcovitz does at the end, make decisions about justifiable torture or is it always wrong. He does well to present government and world documents including the Geneva Convention, terms of engagement in war, and how torturers themselves documents their atrocities and what happened legally with them.

Overall, not the strongest book but it gets the job done for exposing students to this topic that will ultimately affect their futures: its alluded that terrorism in its present form has changed the rules and a hard look at torture should be discussed.

[Lyndsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for sharing a copy of this with me!

Having read Gillian Flynn and a series of thriller novels and books about characters who have been victims of abuse and torture, I was quite intrigued by this title. Not intrigued in a Fifty-Shades way... just interested in the history and psychology behind the topic to lend insight into my fiction readings.

That said, I found this book to be a painful read (see the pun there?). I felt like I was reading a collection of Wikipedia entries that lacked depth and clarity. Each section was very short and there was never a clear direction to work at all. Facts seemed quite randomly presented and the use of images didn't really lend to a better understanding at all. I was very disappointed. The work was less interesting than many textbooks I've read on far less interesting topics.

[Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provided by Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Marcovitz's book is excellent. Unapologetic, mature, well-researched and well-documented writing. A sensitive topic that is written with sensitivity.

Highly recommended for mature teen readers.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewed for professional publication.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh! Basic pro vs con argument. Nothing interesting. Don't need graphic details for young adults this is aimed at but this was textbook style. Dull.