The Little Book of Crime and Punishment is a repository of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts and trivia about the history of the British criminal justice system. Learn of the days when noses, hands and heads were cut off, heretics were burned at the stake and rebels were hanged, drawn and quartered. A reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped in to time and time again to reveal something new about the various forms of punishments; from ducking scolds, imposing curfews, tagging persistent offenders and, of course, imprisonment

Stephen Halliday is a writer, lecturer, and broadcaster. He has written for "Financial Times," the "Guardian," and the "Observer," and has made several radio and television programs based on his popular books. He also writes and reviews regularly for "BBC History," the "Daily Telegraph," the "Literary Review," and the "Times." He is the author of"From" "221B Baker Street to The Old Curiosity Shop "and "The Great Stink of London.""