Freaks of Fanaticism, and Other Strange Events

Freaks of Fanaticism, and Other Strange Events is a collection of articles by S. Baring-Gould. They depict stories by religious radicals that end up wreaking havoc in the name of misguided spiritual piousness. Excerpt: «The holy maid now laid hold of the iron wedge, drew her brother Caspar to her, and said, „Behold, the Evil One is striving to possess thy soul!“ and thereupon she began to strike him on head and breast with the wedge. Caspar staggered back; she pursued him, striking him and cutting his head open, so that he was covered with blood.»