From Neanderthals to Lizzie Borden: The New History of 'Whack Jobs'

Imagine being married to Henry VIII and finding yourself facing execution because he has grown tired of you. The very first thought crossing your mind might well be, "Just how sharp is that axe?"

Rachel McCarthy James has already delved deeper into this subject in her book "Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder." Within a section detailing the numerous individuals Henry executed, such as the unfortunate Catherine of Aragon—about whom James remarks, “She would have been perfect for a teen drama, always designing incredibly stylish clothes and scheming clandestine rendezvous”—James takes time to ponder over that particular aspect.

"The condemned men and women understood that the individual wielding the axe had the duty to ensure its precision and keen edge, and out of consideration for those they were decapitating, they performed their task with as much savage efficiency as possible," writes James. (Should you be sensitive to graphic descriptions, which one might assume an avid reader of novels involving ax murderers would probably not mind, then you should avoid the section detailing Oliver Cromwell’s execution. To put it mildly, the blade wasn’t particularly sharp.)

"Whack Job" offers an engaging historical account reminiscent of Mary Roach’s witty and irreverent approach seen in works like "Gulp" and "Stiff." Despite detailing gruesome murders involving axes throughout various eras—culminating in the infamous case of Lizzie Borden—the most entertaining aspects emerge when the author revels in the peculiarities of this seemingly outdated weapon. These insights become particularly striking towards the end, where more contemporary incidents are discussed surprisingly recently. Starting off with the slaying of what could be described as a Neanderthal-like individual, the narrative concludes with occurrences dating back only to 2019, including the tragic ax murder of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s assistant. mistress and six others At Spring Green, Wisconsin, it also makes the cut.)

The novel "Whack Job" incorporates elements of true crime, yet it primarily serves as a historical account focusing on the evolution of axes—from their early form resembling a large arrowhead dating back to 430,000 BC up until today’s modern tools found at stores like Home Depot. The interlude sections, enhanced with illustrations, detail this progression; however, photographs might have offered clearer visuals, particularly for depicting the primitive tool from 430,000 BC, which appears somewhat unrecognizable akin to dried animal dung. Despite this, omitting images during the section about the Bordens was commendable.

The book serves not only as a narrative but also delves into social history, with James meticulously examining the economic and various other elements that influenced the rise and fall of axes' popularity. These include "war urgencies, the dehumanizing effects of slavery, royal privileges, and the turmoil caused by madness." Particularly compelling is the section on the Wright case, which adeptly explores how feminism and financial struggles contributed to the ultimate criminal acts. Although James remains uncertain regarding whether Lizzie Borden was responsible for her parents’ deaths, she suggests reasons why the aggrieved young woman may have chosen an ax; these tools were inexpensive, user-friendly, and plentiful within their household.

The book contains several irritating inaccuracies; for instance, one passage states that Spring Green has fewer than a thousand inhabitants but then mentions it has over a thousand residents (which is accurate). Despite these issues, James' considerate and lighthearted style gains momentum throughout "Whack Job." This work demonstrates effectively using humor to disarm readers before challenging them to engage their minds.

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Axe Murders: A History of Whack Jobs

By: Rachel McCarthy James.

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, 258 pages.

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