"Assassination--the murder of a specific individual by an organised conspiracy in pursuit of political ends--has shaped the fate not only of famous infamous victims, but also of nations and empires. In this incisive new history, Simon Ball shows how targeted political murder has become a tool of democratic states, as well as a key strategy of those who wish to topple them. Ball introduces us to the techniques of assassination and those who use it, as well as the security regimes which have developed to prevent this violent practice."--inside flap

Murder as an instrument of policy: The Sarajevo assassination, 1914-1930 -- The monopoly of legitimate violence: European assassinations, 1917-1923 -- The rules of the game: assassination and the greatest empire, 1909-1940 -- Death to the presidents: assassination and the USA's near abroad, 1901-1950 -- Government by assassination: China and Japan, 1928-1941 -- Sabotage applied to individuals: totalitarians and democrats, 1923-1945 -- Last rites: assassination and the fall of empires, 1944-1973 -- Dangerous in conception and execution: the US experiment with assassination, 1952-1976 -- Splinter groups: denial, 1971-1979 -- London killing: acceptance, 1980-1990 -- Very very important people: security, 1991-2001 -- Who should pull the trigger? Assassination in the twenty-first century