Killing Congress: Assassinations, Attempted Assassinations and Other Violence against Members of Congress

(Hardback)

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Description

Since Congress was established in 1789, seven members have been assassinated and several others have been the victims of attempted assassinations or other acts of violence. Additionally, eight members of Congress have died while serving in Congress in other ways. These incidents have taken place throughout the existence of the United States and have a wide variety of interesting causes. In Killing Congress: Assassinations, Attempted Assassinations, and other Violence Enacted on Members of the U.S. Congress, Nancy Marion and Willard Oliver examine the assassinations and attempted assassinations of members of Congress, describing the actions that led up to the violence, the incidents themselves, and the repercussions of the events. Marion and Oliver also look closely at other violent attacks against Congressional members, including beatings and bio-attacks. The book not only describes the assassinations, but discusses the short- and long-term impacts of the violence that takes place on Capitol Hill.

Reviews

Acts of violence against elected officials cast a tragic pall on the political landscape. While much research has addressed presidential assassinations, comparatively little has addressed violence against members of Congress. Marion and Olivers well-researched book captures a comprehensive study of assassinations and attemptsand, from earlier years of the republic, caning attacks perpetrated by members of Congressagainst U.S. Representatives and Senators. Offering rich historical context, victim and offender profiles, and careful descriptions of each incident, the volume is a compelling read which will no doubt be of value to criminologists, political and criminal justice historians, security professionals, and the general public. -- Stephen S. Owen, Radford University

Author Bio

Nancy E. Marion is professor of political science at the University of Akron. Willard M. Oliver is professor of criminal justice at Sam Houston State University.