The Faithful Executioner

Based on the overlooked journal of a Renaissance-era executioner, Joel F. Harrington's The Faithful Executioner provides a detailed and nuanced look into the life of Meister Frantz Schmidt, a man who carried out numerous executions over 45 years. The book explores the complexities of Schmidt’s character, revealing a perspective that balances brutality with insight and compassion, all set within a society rife with conflict, superstition, and power struggles. Through this vivid account, readers gain a rare glimpse into a remote world and the personal struggles of a man trying to reconcile his faith with his deadly craft.