BEGINNING WITH THE DAYS OF THE CALIPHS, THE BOOK EXAMINES THE IMPACT OF THE ASSASSIN ON HISTORY, SOCIETY AS THE ASSASSIN, ASSASSINS AS HEROES AND VILLAINS, AND THE HIRED ASSASSIN. DISCUSSION OF INDIVIDUAL ASSASSINS INCLUDES THE STORY OF DANIEL MCNAUGHTON, THE FIRST ASSASSIN IN HISTORY TO BE ACQUITTED ON THE GROUND OF INSANITY FO THE MURDER OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER PEEL'S SECRETARY IN 1843. FROM THIS CASE, THE HISTORIC 'MCNAUGHTON' RULE REGARDING INSANITY DEFENSE WAS DEVELOPED. THE JOHN WILKES BOOTH ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN, AND NEW INFORMATION REGARDING A MEMBER OF LINCOLN'S CABINET WHO MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CONSPIRACY, IS DISCUSSED. THE FINAL CHAPTERS FOCUS ON THE MASS MEDIA AND ASSASSINATION AND ON AMERICA'S VIOLENT PAST. VIOLENCE IN TEXAS DURING ITS FIGHT FOR STATEHOOD AND THE FAMOUS HATFIELD-MCCOY FEUD ARE DESCRIBED. THE AUTHOR VIEWS TERRORISM AS A COMPANION TO ASSASSINATION AND CONTENDS THAT ANY SOCIETY SPAWNS SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE MOTIVATED TO COMMIT AN ASSASSINATION. CHANCE, CIRCUMSTANCE, AND OPPORTUNITY WILL ACCOUNT FOR THE PRESENCE OR LACK OF ANY ISOLATED ASSASSINATIONS OF THIS KIND. IN ADDITION, HIRED KILLERS TAKE PRIDE IN KILLING FOR MONEY AND REQUIRE NO MOTIVATING POLICAL FACTORS. PHOTOGRAPHS, AN INDEX, REFERENCE NOTES, APPENDED DOCUMENTS, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED IN THE BOOK. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LWM).