It's Not About the Truth: The Untold Story of the Duke Lacrosse Case and the Lives It Shattered

by Don Yaeger

Mike Pressler walked into the bottomfloor meeting room of the Murray Building and, as he had done hundreds of times over a sixteen-year career at Duke University, prepared to address his men's lacrosse team. Forty-six players sat in theater-style chairs, all eyes riveted forward.

It was 4:35 P.M. on Wednesday, April 5, 2006. The program's darkest hour had arrived in an unexpected and explosive announcement.

Pressler, a three-time ACC Coach of the Year, informed his team that its season was canceled and he had "resigned," effective immediately. While his words reverberated off the walls, hysteria erupted. Players cried, confused over a course of events that had spun wildly out of control. What began as an off-campus team party with two hired strippers had accelerated into a rape investigation -- one that exposed prosecutorial misconduct, shoddy police work, an administration's rush to judgment, and the media's disregard for the facts -- dividing both a prestigious university and the city of Durham.

Wiping away tears, Pressler demonstrated the steely resolve that helped him win more than two hundred games. For the next thirty minutes, Pressler put his personal situation aside and encouraged his players to stick together. He also made a bold "One day, we will get a chance to tell the world the truth. One day."

This is that day.

Pressler, who has not done an interview since the saga began, has handed his private diary from those three weeks to New York Times bestselling author Don Yaeger, exposing vivid details, including the day Pressler was fired, when the coach asked Athletic Director Joe Alleva why the school "wasn't willing to wait for the truth" to come out. "It's not about the truth anymore," Alleva said to the coach in a signature moment that said it all. In addition to Pressler, Yaeger interviewed more than seventy-five key figures intimately involved in the case. The result is a tale that defies logic.

"It is tough to be one of fifty people who believed a story when fifty million people believed something else," Pressler said. "This wasn't about the truth to many of the others involved. My story is all about the truth."

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Sports, Crime, Politics, Audiobook, Historical

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Don Yaeger is an acclaimed American author, journalist, and keynote speaker based in Tallahassee, Florida. A graduate of Ball State University, he began his journalism career at The San Antonio Light and The Dallas Morning News before joining Sports Illustrated as Associate Editor. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, including 12 New York Times best-sellers. Yaeger collaborated with sports legends such as Walter Payton, John Wooden, Michael Oher, and Bubba Watson, as well as political figures like Brian Kilmeade on historical bestsellers. He hosts the Corporate Competitor Podcast.

Reviews

[Flora · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main problem with this book is that Don Yaeger wrote it with Mike Pressler, who was the coach of the Duke lacrosse team at the time, so the book's critical distance from events is, let's say, selective. Its tone is strident and florid, and its lack of compunction for making straw dummies out of everyone in Durham who was not a) on or coaching the Duke lacrosse team at the time, or b) either related to or legally representing any of the former is seriously undermining. According to this book, everything in this case was apparently all about reactionary liberals, the scourge of political correctness, and the you-can't-ever-trust-em black whores, all of whom nurture grudges against young, rich, privileged white men, who can't get a break, because they're so fortunate. And I quote:

"A crowd of protesters who were gathered at a vigil in front of fell to their knees and wept for the poor woman who had been brutally assulated and damaged for life.

Ironically, was on her knees at this time, too, but for a much different reason."

But my beef with the book isn't its I-dare-you-to-call-me-on-it political incorrectness (frankly, I'd be happy if "political correctness" goes the way of all conservative ideology). Rather, it's the nasty entitled narcissism that I imagine pervaded the frat house the night whatever happened happened -- that is, shame on any person, position, or institution which does not instantly ratify the entitlement of these boys to absolute respect, regard, and satisfaction. All those stupid intellectuals. All those left-wingers. The cracked-out strippers who came to the frat house that night and recoiled when one of the players asked her to penetrate herself with a broomstick. How dare the women only strip for five minutes when they'd been paid to to dance for an hour? The book even recounts (with a petulant "so what?" affect) that one of the players yelled after the departing dancers, "Tell your grandfather I said thanks for my cotton shirt."

Yeah, something bad happened in that frat house that night. It may not have been rape, but it was pretty bad, and pretty banal, and no less awful for that, and neither the accused (i.e., the lacrosse team; everyone knows that the indicted three were more or less randomly chosen) nor the accuser can evade accountability. What makes this case so compelling is that *no one* is entirely sympathetic -- not the accused, not the accuser, not the university, not the legal system; therefore, it's imperative we acknowledge that the ethical disaster of this case does not end with a triumphant, exculpatory press campaign. And I'm waiting for the book that has the nerve to examine this. Jeffrey Toobin, are you listening?

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

After watching the ESPN 30 for 30 "Fantastic Lies," I had to read more. I remember this incident in high school and reviewed it briefly in my Criminal Law class in law school (the lacrosse players had been exonerated by the time that I was in law school) and I fully admit that I was duped by the media portrayal of the events. This is a cautionary tale of predisposed ideological groups sacrificing scapegoats in the public forum over so-called "white male privilege." It is truly an example of "innocent until proven innocent." I believed like everyone that they did it because they were rich and on a university team which historically receive protections and cover-ups from administrations when justice is demanded (i.e. SMU, Penn State, and Baylor). From the beginning it seemed to have all of the right elements: man v. woman, white v. black, rich v. poor, institutional protection v. victim. The book narrates the story of a Duke lacrosse party gone awry when two minority strippers alleged rape at the hands of supposedly out-of-control college boys and the resulting fall-out. The frenzy that ensued was truly astounding: Black Panthers roaming the campus, liberal post-modernist professors making public advertisements and calling for the disintegration of the team, backlash from the Durham community including demonstrations outside of homes and threats to family and friends of players, and journalistic malpractice from corporations chasing the dollar and agendas. While I do not condone underage drinking or hiring strippers, and I'm certainly no "Dukie," those things do not equate to rape. Taking offense is not illegal...yet. The resulting actions forced the resignation of coach Mike Pressler and caused major disruptions in the community and the lives of the players at the party. Mike Niphong, the District Attorney continued prosecution despite a lack of and evidence to the contrary, as a platform to play race politics. Probably the biggest shock was the lack of apology after DNA evidence clearly (very clearly) and Crystal Mangum's changing version of events exonerated the players from every single group or corporation that attacked each accused individual. The very groups (like the professors and administrators) demanding apologies and reparations were the very ones to refuse to do so after exoneration. The hypocrisy is ripe. Even the strippers admitted that they sought monetary kick-backs for their fantastic tales and ever changing stories. I highly recommend this book to anyone studying criminal law and looking to become a prosecutor. This book might challenge your own contemporary predisposed victimology, especially if you believe that someone is automatically guilty because he is a white male. Let the facts come to light before making a determination of guilt.

[Donna Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book. It is about the Duke University lacrosse team scandal, and it will make any reader stop and think about how quickly lives can change. This incident, and the resulting investigation and reaction, affected so many lives, not only those of the coach and players, but also those of their families and friends. An excellent read.

[Paul Gaya Ochieng Simeon Juma · Rating 3 out of 5]

M

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone living in America during the time remembers this case. It was plastered all over the national news. As one who remembers but never followed this case, this book did a great job filling in the gaps and telling the complete story. It is a story worth reading.

Given the fact that Pressler (the coach) is a co-author, it comes as no surprise that the story is told from his perspective. While the inevitable biases are present, they are neither hard to recognize nor distracting to the telling of the story. As one of the few innocent adults in this case (aside from the players themselves), Pressler is likely the only major participant capable of relating the entire story.

The book does a fantastic job introducing the major figures, giving the reader a feeling for who they were as these events occurred. As the events are presented, people of education and character consistently made poor decisions in their rush to judgment. What is surprising is their reluctance to admit those mistakes as the facts showed just how wrong they had been. Instead of acting with character and integrity, admitting their mistakes and apologizing for them, they justified their inappropriate reactions.

Most have heard how the DA ultimately was not only discredited but disbarred as a result of his actions. A true villain in this story, the reader sees how a weak and incompetent man stretched beyond his capabilities was willing to do anything to maintain the illusion. Nifong tried to twist the situation to his own advantage without regard to his main responsibilities of due process. The reader can't help but cheer when his career goes down in flames.

The administration and faculty at Duke are more frustrating. The administration does what administrations do best, that is, overreact after the fact lest they be held accountable themselves. Their unwillingness to acknowledge their mistakes comes as no surprise; accountability is something that they apply to others but not to themselves. Duke's administration did all bureaucracies proud. What is surprising is the faculty, the gang of 88. As supposed liberal champions of tolerance, they showed themselves to be exactly what they claim to abhor and amazingly never backed down from these positions. These pseudo-intellectuals have become what they hate. The reader keeps hoping that these two groups will admit their mistakes, but alas that moment never comes.

The story is not a pleasant one to read, but it is told well here. It is a story that shows the realities of life today, and just how frail our systems of Justice and Higher Education are.

[Bri Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to pick up this book after watching ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary, Fantastic Lies, which provided a deeper look into the events surrounding the Duke Lacrosse case. As a Duke alumni, I realized that I knew very little about everything that happened and how the Duke administration responded to this issue. It's Not About the Truth is one of the few books out there that can provide even more insight into the case, and I eagerly read it to learn more.

Something to note: this book is a one-sided affair. One of the main contributors to this novel is Mike Pressler, the Duke Lacrosse coach who believed his players were innocent and was judged and condemned as a result. He was threatened, his family was threatened, and their lives were upended from this case. As a result, this book will be an emotional read as they describe those events, and let's just say that it does not have flowerly, praising words for those that perpetuated his and his family's hardship.

The main focus of this book is on Nifong's dealings and the lack of support from the Duke administration and faculty (or in the Group of 88's case, condemnation of the players). Very little is told from the perspective of the players, particularily the three indicted, so I wish there could have more input from them. However, the details provided by Pressler painted a very clear picture of how the players were treated and the injustice done to them by Nifong and members of the Durham police force. It was also upsetting, especially as an alumni, to learn that the Duke administration did nothing to protect their students, and the players had to fight to prove their innocence before garnering any type of support. It is a truly powerful read.

This case is being used even now in multiple law classes, and I'm hoping that we all continue to learn from this incident. Even now, I take everything the media says and/or portrays with a grain of salt. It's so unfortunate that this happened, and it's saddening to think that future victims could be negatively affected by this case and that so many lives were shattered.

[ALB · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but though it was informative, there was something strange in the narration, a sort of unnecessary tone. This case is a massively important case to keep in mind, but although these men were unquestionably the victims of the failure of our judicial system and the fourth estate, Yaeger's tone seems to go out of its way to take cheap shots, to idealize some and villainize others (not just those directly at fault). At times the recounted of events resorts to crude humor and self-congratulatory judgements. I would have thought that a book meant to correct the biased-based errors of others would have strived more for balance I wanted to purchase this for my school library, but as the book was unremarkable in its delivery, I'm thinking now that I will not.

[Eric_W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had forgotten all about this book that I listened to while mowing last year. I stumbled across it on Amazon while looking for something else, and was reminded that I wanted to read another account of the incident: Until Proven Innocent Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustices of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case.

The Yaeger book certainly held my interest and generated a suitable amount of rage at the way the whole thing was handled. Even though the main source was clearly the coach, the extraordinary narcissism and stupidity of the players, the political ambition of the DA, the shallowness of the reporting, the self-serving faculty, and the general all-around incompetence of the university administrators comes across very nicely. The book (and other reports) reveal a society fractured by multiple groups, each having an agenda, and no one, it seems, willing to examine his own order of business. It also reveals the absolute necessity, if you are charged with something, of having deep pockets and access to good lawyers.

Pressler, as one would expect, appears the least culpable, but I remember thinking while listening, how divorced he seemed to be from supervision of these little rich white kids. Rape charges aside, no one seemed to question the unseemliness of getting hammered at a drinking party with a bunch of strippers.

The book and events that have unfolded since, have reinforced my resolve never to read or listen to the mindless simultaneous speculation of bloggers and pundits, and to wait a couple of years until the book comes out. Sure, I'll be behind the times, but at least I'll have a factual idea of what really happened. I do have to wonder, however, how events would have unfolded if the lacrosse players had been black with no money, and the stripper white.

I reserve total judgement until I've had a chance to review the other book.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally chose this book when I was finishing my Criminology/Criminal Justice degree as it seemed relevant - the criminal justice system having so badly failed in this case. Once I started to read it however, it generated the sort of feelings you get when you see a car crash - you just can't NOT look. I couldn't NOT read it - even though I could've found out the outcome in a 2 minute Google search rather than having to read 300-odd pages.

Each chapter deals with a different aspect/point of the case - Yaeger details the events of 13 March 2006 (the night in question) from the Duke lacrosse players point of view. He then goes on to introduce the strippers at the centre of the scandal; police who became involved; the district attorney who was subsequently disbarred; the media reactions; the parental/family reactions, challenges and coping mechanisms; the appalling behaviour of the Duke University faculty; and the fall-out that lost the lacrosse coach his job - and he wasn't even involved!

A frightening miscarriage of justice - based on concepts of racism, youth, privilege and gender. Although sensationally written, a chilling true story.

Finally - there were a few editorial issues, mainly relating to dates that I found distracting.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I barely remembered the Duke case. I didn't care that much about it when it was a headline and I just thought it was about rich, white kids doing what they wanted to a poor, black girl. But than that passing thought, it never really crossed my mind. That said, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the book.

This book is very skewed towards the sides of the players and the coach. I suppose it had to be to balance out what happened in the media.

While I enjoyed the book, the one thing never got a sense of were the players. The book was about Duke, Pressler, and Nifong especially Nifong. A bit too much of Nifong actually. It's a shame that the players weren't featured more. If it was, I might have gotten more of a sense of the lives that were shattered. While I felt bad for them, I didn't feel too bad. I felt more for the coach.

Even though I still don't care about what happened, I still enjoyed reading about it, showing me how good a book Yaeger wrote.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this book I realized I did not know the whole story about the Duke Lacrosse scandal. I read it to clarify what actually happened. I was shocked: shocked at the Durham DA Mike Nifong and the Durham police for their blatant disregard for our justice system. I was appalled by the Duke faculty that made up the Group of 88 and how they passed judgment on the lacrosse players before finding out what happened. Lies, lies, and more lies...it was shameful reading how people lied (or at least ignored the truth, yes that means you Nancy Grace). I was still under the impression (based on most news reports) that the lacrosse players were guilty but were let off on a technicality. This book scared me! This could happen to any son/daughter who goes away to college. College kids do not always think about their actions, but that does not make them guilty of crimes.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book the week it came out and learned how powerful a media can be and how quick to judge a public can become. These kids were falsely accused and a coach's life (and his family's) was shattered. I found myself very angry at the people you should be able to trust and count on. Politics can become a wicked monster that takes no prisoner when it is trying to get re-elected. The Durham DA Mike Nifong exemplifies just how desperate one can become. The walls of Duke itself contained it's share of villains as well.

Reading this book will convince you that we all are responsible to learn the truth before we come to a conclusion. There are lives at stake and they deserve fairness.

[Jessa Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this was a pretty thorough look at the events that allowed the whole mess to happen, and I think this is a good pairing with Missoula—where Missoula tends to be pro-persecution, this reads as pretty pro-defense, and I don’t view either as entirely neutral accounts, but value both perspectives. I do wish, however, that the authors here had printed the entire timeline that exonerated these young men in bold, obvious timeline format, as I think the power of the defense work to alibi these guys was kind of lost in the shuffle.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an in depth account of the Duke Lacrosse Scandal. It has a bit too many detailjust in terms of length. If you want to know what happened, it answers all the questions However, unfortunately, the book paints a horrible picture of President Richard Brodhead and Duke University and leaves you feeling extremely sorry for Coach Mike Pressler.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is unbelievable. It is stranger than truth, and thankfully, this does not happen in real life too often, but even once is too often. I have been the object of an injustice, and I know how it makes you feel. Even though I knew I was innocent, to have others believe I wasn't was devestating. And what I went through was nothing compared to what these guys went through.

[Crys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Unfortunately, I didn't know much of anything about this case. It gave me some history on Duke and on Lacrosse. It's horrible how the media can easily twist things for the masses to run with...I'm glad that coach Pressler and the team got the opportunity to let the world know the truth.

[Brian Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary of the Duke Lacrosse sexual assault case. Too much bias for my taste, but that's what you're going to get when the coauthor is one of the people most involved. A very good lesson on how the media and legal system can be manipulated by individuals with an agenda.

[Doug Eymer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book. For those of you that think DEFLATEGATE is an inconvenience, read this! 1. I honestly cannot believe that the DUKE president is still employed. 2. I am so happy that my son will be playing for Mike Pressler! LOYALTY. That's what it is all about! Go Bryant Bulldogs!

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty engrossing read, sure to raise your blood pressure.

Some sloppy editing didn't detract too much from the story.

Good follow-up to the recently released ESPN documentary on political correctness run amuck.

[CLM · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this very interesting, although overwritten and melodramatic.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

It definitely has a Sports Illustrated feel, but it was very interesting to hear from the Coach's viewpoint.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a gotta read if you have any interest in the Duke Lacrosse case

[James Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little long but very informative. It's a shame what happened to these Duke boys and I would recommend this book to those that want to know the truth about what happened.

[Marion Mockridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook narrated by Dick Hill: A blatant revelation about politically correct liberals destroying the lives of innocents. Great narration.

[Cori Dyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book on the truth about academia and politics.

[Katy Sturdivant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, wish there was more inside "scoop" from pressler

[Peter J Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at the Duke Lacrosse Rape case that proved to be false but the damage was great.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book should be required reading for everyone. The situation created by an over zealous LIBERAL DEMOCRAT prosecutor changed the lives and almost ruined any chances of freedom for several boys who were innocent of any wrong doing.

I’ll save the details of the case but perhaps the most important lesson one should take from this book is to wait before rushing to judgment. There is always two sides and the emotional radical liberal feminists are ALWAYS WRONG! Do not ever believe a word they (along with lying liberal media) say! You are truly a stupid person if you believe the media and liberals do not have an absolute agenda in this country. It’s a rough time to be a white male and even if you are a dirty and disgusting black whore, they will spin you into a saintly matron to fit their narrative. Shameful that people who don’t take time to educate themselves about this blatant misrepresentation of FACTS AND EVIDENCE will buy into the lies. Shameful.

I looked up this accuser Chrystal Mangum and she is now serving time for murder. Nice. She also had a long rap sheet prior and after for numerous variety of things. Disgusting. And this democrat prosecutor was disbarred and served time in jail. Nice. All the boys in this case have gone on to be overly productive members of society. That says a lot.

Read this book. It’s time well spent to learn how the liberal media, feminists and disgusting democrats looking to further their political careers will do anything and say any lies to further their agendas, including ruin lives of absolutely innocent children. Disgusting.

[Amy Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand why some don’t like the way the book was written, as though it “was spun” by Pressler, but of course it was, this was his chance to tell their story, as it happened. He told his team time and again when his team was not being heard that “there will come a time when we can tell our story,” and this book is exactly that. And I’m glad he did. Because no one likes it when a political party has a light shown on them for what they are. So many people want to label any incident that happens as race, socioeconomic status, education, or a cultural issue, but oftentimes they are so busy making an argument that they don’t “hear the truth.” I’m happy that Pressler put “those in power positions” on blast (Duke higher ups, the DA, Durham law enforcement, etc.) I enjoy reading not just a bunch of statistics and events splashed on pages, but the story behind it and the lives affected by it. Pressler met those expectations and more. It’s scary to see how one person, whose word is not trustworthy, can change the lives of hundreds of people, including her own. It helps to think in a much bigger bubble that it could happen to any of us at any given time.

[Cameron Copper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book to review. On one hand, I could tell from Chapter One that Yaeger had an opinion on the case and was not hesitant to reveal it. On the other hand, after learning Yaeger's specifics of what happened in Durham, North Carolina from 2006 to 2007, I can understand the outrage felt.

In the end, the lesson from this story speaks for itself: when in an influential position of power, it's vitally important to remember the lives impacted by decisions. Whether it be media, law enforcement, public officials, or members of an institution, the presumption of innocence in America must be applied uniformly.

I'm glad I read this book. I wish I could confidently say this book was even keel reporting that gives me a level of comfort in each of the side being represented. I feel I will need to read further into the situation to understand the entirety of the fallout (this book was published pretty close to the incident) and get a less-biased opinion of the events that transpired.