This book is a fascinating combination of history and close reading of newspaper and fictional texts. For the most part it is limited to sources that used the phrase "female husband"; however, it expands where relevant. Vignettes appear of the lives of individuals gleaned from various sources including birth and marriage certificates as well as current news items.  Then follows discussion of what is revealed by how the person was written about.

In the absence of memoirs or letters that would reveal a person's motivation, Manion focuses on society's reaction--which makes sense since interaction is so much a part of identity. Marion surveys changes from a time when there was no legal constraint to female husbands, only a social custom barrier on to a time when laws were passed and female husbands were treated with less sympathy. She traces the coupling and uncoupling of the concepts of sex and gender.and sexuality.

In an intriguing section, feminist activists are contrasted with female husbands: the activists were judged for failing at society's standards for women, the female husbands for failing to meet standards for men.  It is a nuanced study of a complex issue.