Book excerpt: A thought-provoking examination of the constituencies and the impact of one of the most controversial political figures of our time. Journalists have thoroughly documented David Duke's rise to prominence in Louisiana politics, but until now, few intensive analyses of the Duke phenomenon have been undertaken. This new collection identifies the significant junctures of Duke's political career, from its earliest beginnings to his recent campaigns for governor, the Senate, and the Presidency. Through a variety of methods and approaches, the contributors to this work advance our understanding of what made this former Ku Klux Klan member a significant political force, and of how and why he very nearly succeeded in his attempts to gain higher office.