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Crossing Over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann ACT
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Crossing Over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann ACT Hardback - 1994

by David J. Langum

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From the publisher

Crossing over the Line describes the folly of the Mann Act of 1910--a United States law which made travel from one state to another by a man and a woman with the intent of committing an immoral act a major crime. Spawned by a national wave of "white slave trade" hysteria, the Act was created by the Congress of the United States as a weapon against forced prostitution.

This book is the first history of the Mann Act's often bizarre career, from its passage to the amendment that finally laid it low. In David J. Langum's hands, the story of the Act becomes an entertaining cautionary tale about the folly of legislating private morality.

Langum recounts the colorful details of numerous court cases to show how enforcement of the Act mirrored changes in America's social attitudes. Federal prosecutors became masters in the selective use of the Act: against political opponents of the government, like Charlie Chaplin; against individuals who eluded other criminal charges, like the Capone mobster "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn; and against black men, like singer Chuck Berry and boxer Jack Johnson, who dared to consort with white women. The Act engendered a thriving blackmail industry and was used by women like Frank Lloyd Wright's wife to extort favorable divorce settlements.

"Crossing over the Line is a work of scholarship as wrought by a civil libertarian, and the text . . . sizzles with the passion of an ardent believer in real liberty under reasonable laws."--Jonathan Kirsch, Los Angeles Times

Details

  • Title Crossing Over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann ACT
  • Author David J. Langum
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First edition
  • Pages 324
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher University of Chicago Press, Chicago
  • Publication date 1994-12
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780226468808 / 0226468801
  • Weight 1.36 lbs (0.62 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 1.07 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 2.72 cm)
  • Category History - U.S.
  • Library of Congress subjects Sex customs - United States - History, Prostitution - United States - History
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 94013292
  • Dewey Decimal Code 306.742
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago...
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender, and Culture)

by Langum, David J

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University Of Chicago Press, 1994-12-12. Hardcover. Like New. SIGNED FIRST EDITION. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1994. Fine in Near Fine jacket. Inscription by author on fep, dated 1997. Clean pages. Light shelf wear to jacket, else fine. A nice copy.
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Crossing over the Line : Legislating Morality and the Mann Act
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Crossing over the Line : Legislating Morality and the Mann Act

by Langum, David J

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University of Chicago Press. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Crossing over the Line : Legislating Morality and the Mann Act
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Crossing over the Line : Legislating Morality and the Mann Act

by Langum, David J

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9780226468808 / 0226468801
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University of Chicago Press. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago...
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender & Culture)

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University of Chicago Press. Used - Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago...
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender & Culture)

  • Used
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Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780226468808 / 0226468801
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University of Chicago Press. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket.
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago...
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender & Culture)

by Langum, David J

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  • Hardback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780226468808 / 0226468801
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University of Chicago Press. hardcover. Good. 6.3x1.3x9.3. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago...
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender & Culture)

by Langum, David J.

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  • Hardback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780226468808 / 0226468801
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hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
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Crossing over the Line: Legislating Morality and the Mann Act (Worlds of Desire: the Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender & Culture)

by Langum, David J

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University Of Chicago Press, 1994-12-12. Hardcover. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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