Prepared by author Beth Henschen.

Upon their arrival in Washington D.C., every member of the “freshman class” received a tote bag sporting a picture of the capitol building that contained a three-hundred-plus page document called the 2004 House Manual: New Member Orientation, 109th Congress. This mind-numbing guide details the kinds of expenditures members can and can’t be reimbursed for, the kinds of mailings that can and can’t be paid for with taxpayer money, the use of various types of office equipment, a section on house rules, and even some rules for ethics. Mr. Schwarz goes to Washington. Enjoy orientation! In this brief, engaging case study, Edward I. Sidlow tells the story of what it takes to make the challenging transition from candidate to newly minted member of Congress. Following the triumphs and trials of candidate and then freshman congressman Joe Schwarz, a moderate Republican from Michigan’s 7th district, Sidlow gives students an inside look at Schwarz as he sets up shop on the Hill, gets familiar with the political environment, becomes involved in various policy areas, jockeys for choice committee assignments, develops a “style” that allows him to communicate effectively with other members while staying in touch with constituents at home, and a host of other issues that are central to legislative life. Sidlow uses an appealing first-hand reportorial and narrative style to describe events, while effortlessly incorporating data and information on specific topics from the current literature so that students can see how Schwarz’s experience compares with others. With photos and other illustrations from the Schwarz team, Sidlow brings the congressional experience to life.

Today we find ourselves at a crossroads of two powerful, unrelenting currents that are completely at odds with one another. The movement for legal recognition of same-sex unions has gone beyond the separate but equal status of civil unions to demand equality in marriage for all couples. Progress is being made on many fronts: mayoral action, clergy officiating at same-sex marriage and union ceremonies, state legislative responses, and street protests, to name a few. Meanwhile, opposition to same-sex marriage has also been gathering strength. The struggle is sure to continue unabated for some time to come, pitting those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman—and who seek to codify this belief in the U.S. Constitution—against those who find the basis for marriage between two loving, committed individuals not only in the history of our civil rights legislation and court decisions, but also in scripture and sacred religious traditions. Those who believe in extending to same-sex couples the 1,049 rights conferred by marriage as well as the supportive embrace of religious communities seek to strengthen the institution of marriage by making it inclusive and by passing laws and broadening doctrines to uphold marriage rights for all couples. This three-volume set clarifies the legal, political, religious, cultural, and social ramifications of same-sex marriage for gay and lesbian couples and their families and friends, and for the general public interested in the future of civil rights in the United States.