Traces the career of the third U.S. vice president and would-be secession leader, discussing his acrimonious relationship with Thomas Jefferson; his ambitious vision of expansion; and his historical, self-defended trial for treason.

The dark star of the founding -- Do not play the fool with his name -- The duel -- On the frontier -- The restless west -- Vice President Burr -- "I ... shall seek another country" -- The adventure begins -- Early doubts -- On the world stage -- Burr's threats -- The baron of the Ouachita Valley -- The western world ignites -- High water mark -- Dancing on the Sabine -- The Daveiss factor -- Escape from Blennerhassett Island -- Wilkinson unchained -- Burr in chains -- When cousins collide -- What is treason? -- Sympathy for villainy -- A mammoth of iniquity -- Searching for an overt act -- A drawn battle -- To Britain -- On the continent -- The history of thy crimes.