Whack Job

A History of Axe Murder

De: Rachel McCarthy James

Narrado por: Jennifer Pickens

A brilliant and bloody examination of the axe's foundational role in human history, from prehistoric violence, to war and executions, to newspaper headlines and popular culture.

For as long as the axe has been in our hands, we have used it to kill.

Much like the wheel, the boat, and the telephone, the axe is a transformative piece of technology—one that has been with us since prehistory. And just as early humans used the axe to chop down trees, hunt for food, and whittle tools, they also used it to murder. Over time, this particular use has endured: as the axe evolved over centuries to fit the needs of new agricultural, architectural, and social development, so have our lethal uses for it.

Whack Job is the story of the axe, first as a convenient danger and then an anachronism, as told through the murders it has been employed in throughout history: from the first axe murder nearly half a million years ago, to the brutal harnessing of the axe in warfare, to its use in King Henry VIII's favorite method of execution, to Lizzie Borden and the birth of modern pop culture. Whack Job sheds brilliant light on this familiar implement, this most human of weapons. This is a critical examination of violence, an exploration of how technology shapes human conflict, the cruel and sacred rituals of execution and battle, and the ways humanity fits even the most savage impulses into narratives of the past and present.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2025 Rachel McCarthy James (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[A] gleefully grisly cultural history... James keeps the pages turning. It’s a bit of macabre fun."—Publishers Weekly

“An intriguing historical perspective of the axe… An informative one-stop shop that is sure to provide a little something for a wide range of readers.”—Library Journal

"Whack Job is an engrossing historical analysis of how the axe has evolved as an instrument of change, retribution, and menace. In this exceptional book, James cites cases famed and obscure involving the axe, which will both inform readers and occasionally unsettle them.”—Booklist

Very good for what it is

This sounded like a very cool book. I downloaded it and settled in for salacious stories of murders ax across history. An axcellent afternoon for a true crime meth head like me.

instead what I got was a history of axes, and their application to murders and other such terrible acts. cold, clinical, and probably accurate. Not at all the mindlessly entertaining walk in the shoes of history's greatest monsters I hoped for. This book is a well-written, lovingly researched volume that takes an exciting subject, removes all the fun, but then builds it all up again so you might learn something that will make you an honoured (and concerning) party guest.

Wasn't what I thought, but why blame the author? Five stars for what it is. If that's what you're looking for, snap it up.

BTW "axcellent" was a typo but I'm keeping it.

the amount of research that it took

I enjoyed the entire book. it was informative without being pedantic. well researched and well written. I hope she writes more books.

A fascinating perspective on a titillating topic

This was very enjoyable book that combined material culture with the ever-fascinating topic of ax murders. It's a really interesting look at axes and their importance in human history. It hit the modern highlights (Lizzie Borden, Taliesen), but also brought in stone age archeology, the Tudor Court, The Shining and Salem Village. Very much enjoyed this mix of history - there's something for everything, and it does make you think about "common" items in cohesive, but very different way. I think this might be a good book for teens or adults looking to expand into history in general from a true crime interest.

the beginning is very slow, but it gets better.

The beginning of the book really annoyed me because it read like a textbook. As the book moved along, however, it definitely got better.