In the Lions' Den

The Penn State Scandal and a Rush to Judgment

By: Graham Spanier

Narrated by: Graham Spanier

In the Lions' Den tells the true story of a scandal at Penn State University that unfairly resulted in the firing of the nation's most successful and admired collegiate football coach and the respected president of the university. The book chronicles a criminal justice system run amok, political vindictiveness and retribution, moral panic, and the influence of a twisted media narrative. It is, in short, the anatomy of a smear, a memoir told by the university president who lost his job after an outstanding career in higher education. The story, which is so outlandish that it would be impossible to make up, involves villains and heroes, fear and bravery, the rehabilitative value of friends and family, and coping with adversity.

©2022 Graham Spanier (P)2022 Graham Spanier

A sad story about the birth of cancel culture

Everything about the Jerry Sandusky story wreaks of political scandal, broken justice system, egos and false narratives. This story is through the eyes of a man who didn’t deserve any of what came to him. I appreciate Graham Spanier telling this story and feel sorry for him.

I encourage everyone reading/listening to this story to also listen to John Ziegler and Liz Habib’s podcast, “With the Benefit of Hindsight” which does an absolutely phenomenal job of telling the real story of the Sandusky Scandal, which is in stark contrast to anything you have heard through the mainstream media. It is the REAL story of what actually happened.

Nobody seems interested in the truth

This is a very detailed overview of how Spanier was railroaded by judges, prosecutors, and most importantly, the media. My opinion of this whole Penn State ordeal has completely changed, and this book puts an exclamation point on it.

Informative but Less Would Be More

There is a whole lot of information in this book. Too much for one book.

The author’s vast background and specific experience provide him with a unique perspective. I would like to have seen that expertise spread over at least three books.

The three topics that stand out are:

The Unjust Rush to Judgement of PSU and the Failure of Its Board of Trustees

The Vast Corruption of the Justice System in Pennsylvania

A Memoir of One Man’s Awakening to His Own Naïveté

As written the text forces the reader to work hard to separate the topics. However, it does make clear that fairness is impossible in our society.

It is eye opening and therefore we’ll worth the read (listen).

Thank you Graham Spanier

A true story exposing yet more powerful prosecutors with no accountability. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Moral panic is real.

Setting the Record straight

This is an incredible story written by a University President. No detail is too small and he tells the story expertly. This is absolutely a must read.

Excellent inside look at a travesty of Justice

Dr. Spanier reveals the corruption and dysfunction of the Pennsylvania political and legal systems that meted out a severe injustice toward him, other Penn State administrators, and the Penn State community.

The Truth Be Told

What an eye opener to the truth. What a miscarriage of justice. How sad that so many lives were traumatized as a result of a calamity of errors!

Great story - Unjust justice system

A sad and frightening example of how anyone can have the justice system stacked against them. Graham Spanier had the book thrown at him and lost much of his life due to a politically charged witch-hunt. Hopefully history will set the facts straight for this man and grant him a legacy he deserves.

Eye-opening Narrative of PSU scandal

A very thorough, detailed, eye-opening narrative of the terrible scandal that rocked PENN State. And a very explosive and condemning expose of the PA justice system. A great example of the media at it’s worst!
Thank you, Dr Spanier, for telling your story!
Thank you for setting the record straight!
We are…

Finally, the real story!

As a Penn State alumn, I am even more heartbroken for the injustice carried out against my beloved university by the cowardly board of trustees, the justice system, vindictive and power hungry politicians, and the blood thirsty media. I had to stop listening at times because it was too upsetting to continue. Thank you for telling the whole story. I live in Columbus, Ohio and I only heard the lies told by the media to make Penn State look bad and had to learn any other facts from my friends in PA. I am appalled to hear the corruption and vile behavior of judges, prosecutors, and the governors of PA. I am ashamed of my home state. And I hold ESPN and other media to blame for what happened to Joe Paterno, Dr. Spanier, Mr. Curly, and Mr. Schultz. The University must take responsibility and right these horrendous wrongs. I would not have included anything that made Sandusky remotely innocent. It taints the truth of this book.