The long wait is nearly over! I, ELIZA HAMILTON will be available everywhere on September 26 - but those of you who'll be in the Philadelphia area next weekend will be able to get yours early at a very special booksigning in Birmingham Township, PA.
The booksigning will be part of Brandywine 2017, a weekend-long re-enactment event that marks the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine. Brandywine was the largest land battle of the American Revolution between the Continental and British forces, with 30,000 combatants meeting on the Pennsylvania fields and farms. Although the Americans lost, the battle proved that the Continental Army was to be taken seriously as a fighting force. General George Washington was in command, and with him was a young French aristocrat, the Marquis de Lafayette, making his first appearance on the battlefield for the Americans.
Oh, and there was also another young officer at the battle, serving as one of General Washington's aides-de-camp - Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton. Can you understand now why I wanted this to be my first signing for I, ELIZA HAMILTON?
Nearly a thousand uniformed Revolutionary War re-enactors will gather from around the country to recreate the battle, fighting on the same farmland as the original battle more than two centuries ago. There will be cavalry, dragoons, cannon fire, muskets, rifles, and military music. Before and after the "battle", visitors will also be able to tour the authentic encampments and observe military inspections, and check out the 18thc-style wares offered for sale by dozens of vendors and sutlers. There will be other authors, too, offering fiction, non-fiction, and children's books, all with a Revolutionary War connection.
Perhaps best of all, the event is free, with plenty of free parking. Check out the Brandywine2017 website for all the details, plus directions.
I'll be signing I, ELIZA HAMILTON on Saturday, September 16, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, in the author tent near the entrance. Hope to see you there!
Photograph courtesy Brandywine2017.
Read more about Eliza Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton in my latest historical novel, I, Eliza Hamilton, now available everywhere. Order now.