Beacon Press

Beyond (straight and gay) marriage; valuing all families under the law.

Polikoff (law, American U. Washington College of Law) takes issue with the concept of marriage and argues that it makes unmarried couples of any sexual orientation, single-parent households, extended family units, and others unable to reap the benefits of the law. She asserts that marriage is not the cure for the disadvantages faced by same-sex couples, but that married couples should not have rights that other family forms do not. She argues that the law should not give marriage more value, as it is not a family form that is more important than others. Topics addressed include feminism and gay rights, the marriage-equality movement, countries where marriage matters less than in the US, domestic partner benefits, medical care and family and medical leave, distribution of assets and providing for children, wrongful death, worker's compensation, and Social Security. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Saviors or sellouts; the promise and peril of Black Conservatism, from Booker T. Washington to Condoleezza Rice.

Bracey, a professor of law and African and African American studies at Washington University of St. Louis, opens his book with a question that many share, "What exactly does it mean to be a black conservative and why would anyone choose to become one?" Not receiving a solid answer, he began to research the phenomenon. He discovered that black conservatism has a long history and that the reasons are not as simple as those who accuse the conservatives of being turn coats or sellouts would like to believe. Bracey uses the examples of political figures as diverse as Marcus Garvey and Condoleeza Rice to show the wide range of paths taken to conservatism. He notes the spiritual beliefs shared by many black and white conservatives. This is a thoughtful analysis that explains the appeal of conservatism more clearly than any political polemic. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)