The book And the Thirteenth Was the Executioner... is unique in many ways. At the beginning of the nineties, when Czech prisons were largely opened to the public, including journalists, the author correctly estimated that this possibility would not last long. He visited Czech and Slovak correctional facilities for several weeks and months. He perceived, experienced and subsequently described the prison atmosphere. He also talked to the worst criminals, including murderers. Among them were men awaiting execution. However, as a result of the abolition of the death penalty after November 1989, it no longer took place. He also spoke with relatives of prisoners, guards, prison psychologists, and educators. Later, for example, with prison clergy. Thanks to his sensitivity, his pursuit of objectivity, his ability to listen to others for a long time, he managed to gradually record several dozens of completely unique interviews. Twelve of them - and then an interview with a man who participated in several executions - make up the contents of this book. A book that (and therein lies its uniqueness) cannot be imitated. Primarily because the situation at that time, when the reporter could move around the prisons almost freely, cannot be repeated.
This is also why the publishing house Olympia is proceeding with the re- and supplemented edition of this work. It is a raw and unique statement of the time.
The times we call - the Nineties.