Uviller explores our criminal justice system in pursuit of the answer to one question - is the playing field tilted. He analyzes the roles of all the players - prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants, judges, and juries - and compares the various advantages/disadvantages accorded them by the system. Fair does not mean equal, as Uviller explains using his own experiences as well as significant court cases. He argues convincingly that in many areas where one side seems to have an advantage, the interests of justice are served, and that "leveling the playing field" would adversly affect the process. This book is an academic one, accessible to the layman but even more useful for the law student and lawyer.