Sterngass, Jon. Same-Sex Marriage.

Sterngass, Jon.  Same-Sex Marriage.  Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark, 2012.  143p.  $37.07.  ISBN 978-1-60870-490-3       hs        E-BN  

Same-Sex Marriage presents an overview of the controversial issue of same-sex marriage from societal, historical, legal, and religious perspectives.  The topic of same-sex marriage is in the news every day, and as such, it is a topic for debate in many high-school classes.  This book is a truly unbiased presentation of all sides of the issue.  The author takes the reader on a systematic progression of subtopics, beginning with the reasons same-sex marriage is currently so controversial, and then jumping back in time to present a historical perspective on the issue.  As one reads through each chapter's perspectives, one builds a thorough knowledge base from which he or she can formulate a personal opinion. Side-bars present related information, such as “Some Cross-Cultural Comparisons" on page 37 and “Federal Marriage Amendment” on page 101.  Full-color photographs accompany the text throughout the book, which concludes with extensive chapter notes, references for further information (both text and web-based), a bibliography, and an index.        

The book is part of the Marshall Cavendish series Controversy!, a collection of titles that address many of the most controversial issues discussed by young adults.  The information is presented in an unbiased, multi-perspective fashion that allows students to develop their own opinions based upon the solid information found they have read.         Subject: Same-sex Marriage -- United States

Lynn Fisher