Click the book cover above to order "Civil Wars: A Battle for Gay Marriage" by David Moats from amazon.com

The parents are seated, the guests are smiling, and the officiate awaits the happy couple. A wedding is about to start.

The groom looks dapper in his tux, a spring-like blossom pinned to his lapel. He's a little nervous, but ready to embark on this trip with his beloved.

The groom looks dapper in his tux, a spring-like blossom pinned to his lapel. He's a little nervous but he's been waiting for this day for a lifetime.

A misprint? No, just the exercise of what many argue is a basic civil right.

The battle for and against Proposition 8 vehemently rages in California, months after its passage disallowed same-sex marriage. In the book "Civil Wars: A Battle for Gay Marriage" by David Moats, you'll read about another historic political skirmish for the rights of gays and lesbians to march down the aisle.

Nearly twelve years ago, in a small town clerk's office in Milton, Vermont, Holly Puterbaugh and Lois Farnham kicked off a small snowball that became an avalanche of controversy and court-fight. The two women filed for a marriage license.

Within two months, four other people – a lesbian couple and a gay couple – did the same thing. All were turned down by their town clerk. All six sued the state.

The Vermont Supreme Court's eventual decision was a curious one: the lawyers, Beth Robinson and Susan Murray, technically won the case, but the Court turned the ultimate decision over to the Legislature. To win the right for gay marriage, the lawyers would have to fight again.

But it wouldn't be easy. When the news broke nationally, a loud outcry followed. Religious conservatives weighed in with their opinions. Legislators were badgered and intimidated. Gays, lesbians, and their families gave impassioned pleas on behalf of their loved ones. Neighbors spoke out against neighbors at Vermont Town Hall meetings, and unlikely supporters were surprised by unexpected dissenters. Those who wanted to see the issue die were vociferous in their desire. Those who wanted to see it pass were hurt by the anger but insisted, as Moat says in his introduction, "When love shows up, it does not always obey arbitrary social conventions."

When I first opened this book, I thought it was going to be dry, dry, dry. I was wrong, wrong, wrong. "Civil Wars" rivals any good legal thriller, but it's all true.

Beginning with the Vermont Supreme Court decision and ending with the political aftermath of the decision to create "legal unions", author and journalist David Moats weaves in the life-stories of the people who acted as catalyst for the initial lawsuit, as well as legislators for whom the decision had personal importance, politicians willing to "do the right thing" and the behind-the-scenes people whose stories inspired those involved.

Though "Civil Wars" was published in 2004, I think it's more relevant than ever, particularly in light of the California battle over Proposition 8. No matter which side of the aisle you're on, and though this may be a challenge to find, you need to read this book.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.