TWO CLASSES OF HOMICIDE ARE EXPLORED: SOCIALLY OR POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ASSASSINATION AND ASSASSINATIONS DESIGNED TO FORWARD THE CAUSE OF OPPRESSED PEOPLES. ALTHOUGH MOST PERSONS WOULD NOT ADMIT THE WOULD-BE ASSASSIN'S RIGHT TO JUDGE, CONDEMN, AND EXECUTE, THEY MIGHT CONCEDE THE RIGHT OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO JUDGE, CONDEMN, AND ORDER EXECUTION, AS THEY DID TO HARRY TRUMAN IN HIS USE OF THE HYDROGEN BOMB. IF POLITICAL ASSASSINATION SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED AS BEING RARELY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, IT MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN THE CASE OF TYRANNICIDE (MURDER OF TYRANTS) AS A NECESSARY MEANS OF ACHIEVING THE BEST ENDS FOR THE PEOPLE (I.E., ASSASSINATIONS OF TSARS PAUL I AND ALEXANDER II). OTHER CASES IN WHICH VICTIMS ARE SACRIFICED FOR THE PEOPLE ARE SHOWN IN DISCUSSIONS OF GAVRILO PRINCIP AND FRANZ FERDINAND, THE ROLE OF MR. BURKE IN THE GREAT BRITAIN-IRELAND CONFLICT, THE SACRIFICE OF LORD MOYNE BY THE ISRAELIS, AND THE 'OFFERING UP' OF WALTER RATHENAU BY GERMAN NATIONALISTS. DISCUSSIONS OF OTHER USES OF ASSASSINATION, SUCH AS FOR RELIGIOUS ENDS, COMPLETE THE BOOK. AN INDEX AND EXTENSIVE REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (MHP)