Infernal Device:
Machinery of Torture
and Execution
by Erik C. Ruhling
ISBN #978-1-932857-89-4
published by Disinformation
Company
reviewed by
cellblock
02.17.2008
This compendium of
horrific human history is a windowpane into our basest nature. Every chapter includes multiple images and
several depictions of 16th century woodcarvings that lend relevance
to a purposely ignored blemish on mankind’s treatment of himself.
The rendering of the machinations is unmatched, and many times I had to look really
hard in order to verify that the images were in fact computer animated. Infernal Device is published by
Disinformation Company and Mr. Ruhling did an
excellent job designing and wrapping his diabolical conversation piece. It is well bound and easy to read and has an
abundance of witticisms and quotations from various timelines and events.
For the morbidly curious,
no, this book does not include pictures of people being tortured and slain. It
does however, paint the picture in a way where the readers imagination will
more likely than not, create a scene more gruesome than the publisher would be
willing to print.
Purchase your own copy of Infernal Device
* * * PRESS RELEASE * * *
INFERNAL DEVICE
machinery of torture and execution
A fully illustrated collection of torture devices used throughout
the ages in the pursuit of “truth.”
New York, NY–– Erik Ruhling assembles an unmatched
array of torture tools invented exclusively for the infliction of pain and the
ending of life, each carefully researched with an accompanying full-color,
highly detailed rendering. This beautifully presented book features
classics like the Iron Maiden and the Guillotine, as well as more rarified
connoisseur’s fare such as the Scavenger’s Daughter and the Ear Chopper. And if
the Tongue Tearer is not to your taste, there’s
always the Breast Ripper or the Drunkard’s Cloak.
Erik Ruhling is a graphic designer and the curator of
www.occasionalhell.com.
He holds degrees in anthropology and English and lives in
About the book:
Infernal Device by Erik Ruhling
Published in November 2007
The Disinformation Company Ltd.
ISBN: 978-1-932857-89-4
Paper over board, SRP: $14.95
95 pages/40 photos & illustrations