In 1564, the Turks defeated the Polish commander Vyshnevetsky. They ripped out his heart from his chest and ate it. In the 16th century, in many European countries, executioners received the right to dispose of not only blood, but body parts of their victims and use them at their discretion. Even in the 19th century, a Chinese executioner could well eat the heart or brains of his victim. What are the causes of cannibalism, why is it usually associated with religious human sacrifice? What is the essence of this elaborate ritual that has been practiced in many countries of the world - from the Americas, Africa and India to Indonesia, Malaysia, Polynesia, New Guinea, Australia and the islands of Oceania? Why are there individual cases of cannibalism even in civilized countries these days? The answers to these and many other questions, which until now were considered an inexplicable mystery, you will find in this fascinating book.