Overview

History is built not only by the battles that succeeded-but by the assassins who failed. From the jungles of Borneo to the marble courts of Constantinople, The Knife at the Neck of Empires takes readers on a cinematic journey through the world's strangest, most little-known assassination attempts. Each chapter unearths a true, meticulously researched episode where a single dagger, bullet, or poisoned cup could have changed everything-if only fate had tilted a little differently. Discover the Sultan nearly undone by a poisoned banquet in the tropics; a stonemason scaling the midnight walls of Kabul; a hidden cannon on the Ganges that roared before the British conquest of India; and a vial of perfumed death meant for an Ottoman sultan. Blending vivid storytelling with historical rigor, Matt Nichols brings to life the forgotten plots, fractured loyalties, and sheer chaos that shaped empires-and reminds us how fragile history truly is. Perfect for fans of Erik Larson, Simon Winchester, and The Assassin's Cloak, this book reveals the moments when history came within inches of rewriting itself.

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Matthew Nichols is a historian and cultural essayist who explores how power, fame, and storytelling intertwine. His work uncovers the hidden systems that turn charisma into control and visibility into myth.

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