A gaggle of giggles for local history (?) buffs By ANNE STINSON Book Critic 

September 20, 2007 

 

St. Michaels: The Town that Somehow Fooled the British. By Matthew Swanson, Illustrated by Robbi Behr.  

How much is fact and how much is fiction in the truth/legend of St. Michaels' deception of British invaders in 1813? Here's a wonderful spoof on the controversy that gave rise to the claim that townspeople hung lanterns high in the trees to fool British gunners intent on destroying shipyards that turned out boats to harass the enemy in that conflict.

 Here's a new, totally outrageous account of the incident, one that's so tongue-in-cheek the reader will howl with laughter.