The nine dense chapters of this book offer not only a rich reconstruction of the more than a century long and tormented history of the debate over divorce in Italy; they are a precious contribution to overall Italian political history and in particular the history of the state-church relationship in that country. - The American Historical Review ...A precious contribution to overall Italian political history and in particular of the state-church relationship in that country. - The American Historical Review Mark Seymour's study of the divorce debates in modern Italy is a significant contribution not only to the history of Italy but also to the history of the politics of family and marriage in Europe. For scholars of Italy, Seymour's work shows how an issue like divorce, long considered unimportant as a social, economic, or political force in the making of modern Italy, illustrates the continuities between liberal Italy, fascism, and the republic and offers a more nuanced picture of the way in which political power was understood and wielded. - Linda Reeder, Journal of Modern History Clearly written, full footnoted, with a timely bibliography and coise index, the volume is an important addition to modern Italian political and social history... Recommended. - CHOICE