Pierceson tells the story of the significant and, by any standard, surprisingly rapid legal and political shift that has taken place with regard to same-sex marriage in the US over the past 20 years. The controversial topic brings into play major dimensions of US polity and political culture: federalism, the role of the courts, and the role of religion in politics and law. Background chapters on developments between 1950 and 1990 as well as same-sex marriage around the world provide context for the examination of litigation. Chapters on developments in the Midwest, East, and South are followed by one on same-sex marriage and the Supreme Court. The analysis, careful and well documented, is a work of advocacy scholarship. The movement toward same-sex marriage is described as "progressive" and attempts to stop or reverse these developments are described as a backlash to this progress. Natural law, on which opponents of same-sex marriage rely, is described as "deeply sexist and heterosexist." Informative up-to-date review and analysis of one of the defining issues of the polity. Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels.

Choice Reviews

As the Supreme Court considers two major same-sex marriage cases, Pierceson (political science, Univ. of Illinois, Springfield) provides a detailed account of the rise of this issue as a major national focus. Both chronologically and geographically, he examines legislative and judicial action on the matter as it has arisen in state after state, producing an excellent survey of the litigation and legislation related to same-sex marriage, beginning in the 1950s. His book also explains the political forces—both progressive and conservative—that have shaped the national conversation on the subject. Though Pierceson’s major focus is on the United States, he includes a chapter devoted to the politics and laws related to same-sex marriage elsewhere. At the time of writing, the author projected that the Supreme Court would hear cases related to the Defense of Marriage Act and to California’s Proposition 8, which has come to pass, and concludes by offering predictions about how the court will rule. VERDICT A fine source for studying the same-sex marriage debate, especially in the United States, this title offers useful insights for researchers. Though academic, the writing here is approachable and its style agreeable enough for general readers interested in the development of this important national topic.

Library Journal

This book continues Pierceson’s excellent research on the topic [of same-sex marriage]. This new book tells the story of the legal and cultural shift on same-sex marriage, its backlash, and how it has evolved over the past fifteen years. Unlike other books on the topic, Pierceson provides a comprehensive account of both the successes and failures of the movement from a legal, political, and social perspective. There are many strengths to the book, including Pierceson’s focus on the historical evolution of the issue and a comparative assessment of same-sex marriage around the world, in the various regions of the U.S., and at the state level. It is also a nice addition to the literature on courts and social change and would be a good candidate for classes on the topic. . . . Pierceson’s careful analysis of same-sex marriage in the U.S. persuasively demonstrates the crucial role of courts in achieving social change.

Law and Politics Book Review

Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court, by political science professor Jason Pierceson, provides legal, political, and cultural context for the Supreme Court’s recent gay marriage decisions by tracing the gay rights movement’s campaign for marriage rights all the way back to the 1950s. Pierceson creates a valuable map of a decades-long civil rights movement marked by distinct successes and failures. ... Same-Sex Marriage in the United States remains accessible and an enjoyably informative read. It promises to be a valuable addition to any collection and is recommended, especially for academic institutions that offer programs and courses related to human rights and social justice.

Law Library Journal

Jason Pierceson’s comprehensive and well-documented volume is a welcome and essential addition to the literature on same-sex marriage, and will surely be widely used by scholars, in classrooms, and in particular as a very handy one-stop reference guide to how each state’s policies came about. And it is timely. ... It is challenging to write a book on a rapidly changing subject, and challenging to frame the argument when the ground is constantly shifting. Pierceson’s book is firmly grounded in the literature on the role of courts in U.S. political practice, and this literature shapes the analysis throughout the book. ... The debate over same-sex marriage—marriage equality—is a deeply normative as well as a deeply practical debate. Pierceson’s book is a useful contribution to this ongoing discussion in the discipline and in the world of practical politics.

Gender & Society

Pierceson provides a timely exploration of marriage equality's path to the U.S. Supreme Court, demonstrating that the Court's ultimate intervention takes place against the backdrop of a long-term—and largely state-based—legal, political, and cultural battle for relationship equality. His detailed exploration of the movement for relationship equality at the state level reveals the crucial and productive impact of LGBT advocates' sophisticated litigation strategy. Pierceson's analysis demonstrates that if marriage equality ultimately prevails, advocates' shrewd deployment of litigation must be counted as a significant contributor to that success.

Douglas NeJaime, Loyola Law School