Introduction: Marriage as a political institution. I Historical development. Chapter 1. The "duties as well as privileges of freedom" ; Chapter 2. "What constitutes a valid marriage?" -- II. The long culture wars. Chapter 3. "Marriage is one of the basic civil rights of man" ; Chapter 4. "Marriage is the foundation of a successful society" ; Chapter 5. "We're in a battle for the soul of the nation" -- Conclusion: "Is there hope for the American marriage?".