Assassin! 200 Years of British Political Murder

From prime ministers and politicians to princes, lords and officials of all kinds, Britain's assassination attempts cover a wide variety of figures in some key moments of history. Hernon examines the motivations of the assassins-from political ideologies to simple mental instability. He shows how most attempts originated from isolated individuals or minority groups, rather than broad political will.
Ultimately, Hernon argues,assassination remains the resort of the outsider with poor political judgment. Assassination attempts have never-in this country-brought about the changes the assassin wishes. They have often served to undermine civil liberties. But they do provide a fascinating account of how the will of the individual has occasionally and dramatically intervened into the lives of those in power.