This book examines the law and politics surrounding the Bakke case ("Regents of the University of California v. Bakke") and discusses the key arguments presented by both sides in the context of the current eroding public support for affirmative action. The goal is to elucidate the dynamics of U.S. Supreme Court decision making and explore the value of affirmative action in higher education. The chapters are: (1) "Affirmative Action in Higher Education"; (2) "Marco DeFunis Seeks Admission to the University of Washington School of Law, 1971-1974"; (3) "'Let Me In!': Allan Bakke's Plea to the University of California, Davis, Medical School"; (4) "Asking the U.S. Supreme Court To Review 'Bakke'"; (5) "'Mr. Chief Justice and May It Please the Court': The Oral Arguments in 'Bakke'"; (6) "'Bakke' and the Dynamics of Supreme Court Decision Making"; (7) "Affirmative Action Public Policy in the Politically Turbulent 1990s"; and (8) "The 'Bakke' Legacy: Hanging by a Thread?" A chronology, list of relevant cases, and bibliographical essay are attached. (SLD)