An investigation of the Duke Lacrosse rape case in which three players were wrongly accused of raping an African-American woman, discussing the personal, legal, academic, political, and media aspects of the case and including interviews with the defendants.

"Thomas Dunne books.". Includes index.

Dreams of glory -- An ugly scene : Duke meets Durham -- So many stories, so few injuries -- Police : building a case without evidence -- Cops ignite firestorm, Duke runs for cover -- The most dangerous power : enter Nifong -- The defense fights back -- Academic McCarthysim -- Politically correct sensationalism -- Richard Brodhead's test of courage -- Politics trumps law -- Blind injustice : indicted after proven innocent -- Nifong defeats the evidence -- Experts vindicate laxers, Duke harasses them -- "Fantastic lies" -- Lacrosse reinstated, with disrespect -- Nifong defies gravity, with help from friends -- Turning the tide -- Nifong's pyrrhic victory -- The conspiracy unravels -- Defendant Nifong -- Disgrace and exoneration -- No isolated case: from Duke to death row -- Presumed guilty : feminist overkill -- The assault on excellence.