The Sanctity of Marriage Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Marriage--Between a Man and a Woman--Featuring Those WhoCast the First Stone (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Bill Clinton, White House, Defense of Marriage Act (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An edgy, tongue-in-cheek look at the lives of some of the most vocal "defenders" of marriage, and how they have (not) lived up to the sacred standards of the institution they claim to protect.

In November 2004, the right wing won elections across the country by spinning a vote for the right as a vote for family values. And yet these same politicians judge others by a standard that they themselves cannot uphold.

Composed of short profiles of some of the right wing's most vocal "defenders" of marriage, The Sanctity of Marriage Handbook takes a satirical look at these leaders to see how well they live up to the sacred ideal they profess to be defending against "defilers" of marriage, such as gay couples hoping to marry. Seldom has hypocrisy been so funny. Bryan Harris profiles some of our moral forerunners as they lead by example. Just a few include:

- Newt Gingrich: served his wife with divorce papers while she was incapacitated by cancer and receiving treatment in a hospital room. He is currently enjoying the sanctity of his third marriage.
- Representative Bob Barr, author of the Defense of Marriage Act: before the age of fifty, Representative Barr had three marriages under his belt. The old Beltway joke goes, "Exactly which marriage is Bob Barr defending?"
- Rush Limbaugh: between Rush and his current wife, Marta, there are six marriages and four divorces. Rush is currently in the process of divorcing Marta.
- Senator Dan Burton: Republican senator who called Clinton a "scumbag" and who runs his campaigns on family values. Burton fathered a son out of wedlock.

This book needs to be thrust into the hands of everyone who voted "red" because they thought it was a vote for "family values," and it is required reading for those blue blue-staters who might want to feel a little sanctimonious themselves.

About the Author

Bryan Harris writes for various alternative weeklies and dailies in red states. He has also written for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585424498
• ISBN-13: 978-1585424498
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,541,558 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #68 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Law > Family & Health Law > Marriage
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect compendium of hypocrisy, October 12, 2005

By	Ashley Shelby (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

This little handbook is the absolute perfect weapon in any debate with anyone who is anti same-sex marriage. The reviewer who calls its execution "flawed" takes the book too seriously--anyone who picks up a $10 paperback with images of wedding cake toppers consumed in the flames of hell on the jacket thinking it is going to be some serious political tome has major perception problems, for which he should seek professional help (and perhaps a tutorial in spellcheck--takes guts to criticize a writer when you can't even spell hypocrisy yourself.) A funny, snide, sarcastic read, this is the perfect stocking stuffer for the progressive--or die-hard Republican--in your family.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent gift for all Republicans and Christians, October 15, 2005

By	RWJ "BittenByAZebra" (New York) - See all my reviews

Approximately one year ago, I was having a phone conversation with a close (albeit Republican) relative. She started arguing that two members of the same sex couldn't get married because the Bible said so and that we need to "protect the children." This relative just happens to be divorced and had an adulterous affair with a married man for many years. I haven't spoken to her since and she should have her own entry in this book. She'll be getting the book as a Christmas gift--as should all Republicans and, especially, all Christians who claim, like my relative, to be fine moral citizens...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny book on a serious subject, September 16, 2007

By	Annie B. Lawrence "Author Love's Secret Live ... (Sedona Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We all know people that we absolutely adore who choose to have relationships with the same sex. Who are we to dictate that? This book provides some great information in a light hearted manner. We all need to be more open and allow people the right to determine their own preferences regarding their partners. After all that is what our country was founded on. Good book with good information for being more open minded. Annie Lawrence, author Love's Secret Live Your Life In Love.