Killing Congress

Book excerpt: 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.