Duane Pierson: Annie and the Prince of Wales *at Longfellow Books*

Annie and the Prince of Wales by Duane Robert Pierson
Friday, November 30th, 7:00pm at Longfellow Books

The future king of England comes to Portland Maine, as does the British fleet. There is a magnificent ball for the officers. A thousand militiamen escort the Prince down Congress Street to the harbor. Thousands of visitors come to the peninsula to see it all. Annie Murphy and Addie Harman fall in love and meet their future husbands.

This novel is about something that actually happened, now completely erased from the collective memory. Not many are aware that the biggest event in the history of Portland, Maine took place over a period of days in October 1860. At that time the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), concluding a 90-day tour of North America, came to Portland Harbor to embark for home in England. All this occurred just two weeks before Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. At that time the country was also in the midst of what is known as the Second Great Religious Awakening.

Needless to say, the peninsula upon which Portland stands was swamped with visitors. There were the famous, politicians of the highest order, miscreants such as pickpockets and burglars, and just plain people. The British fleet was anchored in the harbor. The grand ball for the officers of the fleet was held in the magnificent new town hall. Militia companies from around the state came to escort the prince through town in a gigantic parade. The harbor filled with British men- of-war who put on a fantastic show as 21 gun salutes rebounded and rockets flared while hundreds of sailors went up the shrouds into the rigging to stand hand in hand manning the yards.  The novel is historically accurate. However, it does have fictional characters living their lives, having romances, interacting with the visitors and enjoying the festivity.

Join us to celebrate the release of Annie and the Prince of Wales by our talented, and dear friend, Duane.  The book is a perfect gift for any fan of Maine, history or just good writing.

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