Two hundred years ago in 1812, the U.S. Navy saved our country and our way of life. On July 14, at the Town Hall in the Boothbay Railway Village, you can talk and listen to the man who knows the whole story, George Daughan, author of “1812: The Navy’s War.”

Daughan is one of four authors who plan to speak at Books in Boothbay: Maine’s Summer Book Fair, Maine’s largest single day literary event and the gathering place for 40 authors from around our state. His speaking time is at set for 3 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., you can hear Monica Wood, author of “When We Were the Kennedys: A Memoir from Mexico, Maine.” At 2 p.m. is Tess Gerritsen, who will speak on her book “Ice Cold,” and at 2:30 p.m., Sarah Braunstein, author of “The Sweet Relief of Missing Children.”

The entire list of visiting authors can be seen on Books in Boothbay’s blog www.booksinboothbay.blogspot.com.

Books in Boothbay is presented by Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and Boothbay Railway Village. Entrance and parking are both free and each $5 train ride qualifies the buyer to enter a drawing to win tickets to “A Day Out With Thomas” in August. Visitors can also take a spin on the steam train which leaves the Freeport Station at regular intervals during the day.

Built 100 years after the war of 1812 (in 1912 of course), retired in 1961 and acquired and moved to Boothbay Railway Village in 1964, Freeport Station was the shipping point for the successful L.L. Bean business.

Books in Boothbay has a history of its own, now in its eighth year. A special treasure hunt around the grounds of the Boothbay Railway Village has been added this year in celebration of reading, exploring, and discovering.

Mark your calendar – Saturday, July 14, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. with a special authors’ reception to follow, also open to the public. Books in Boothbay is supported by Maine Writers and Publishers’ Alliance and Sherman’s Book and Stationery Store.

For more information, call the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library at 633-3112 or go to www.booksinboothbay.blogspot.com.