Revised Edition | Hercules of the Revolution

In September 2010, I set upon the task of preparing the Hercules of the Revolution manuscript for publishers. While the editing first began as a simple exercise of cleaning up syntax and mechanics, it quickly developed into a full-blown revision.

Due to time constraints, I was forced to sacrifice some things with the first editions, least of all a thorough proofreading. But I had also wanted to incorporate additional scenes apart from the war to illustrate Peter’s softer side as well as demonstrate more effectively God's purpose for Peter's life.

After a year of working late nights and many weekends, I am thrilled to say the new edition is now available!

Since Hercules of the Revolution is a true-life novel, in Gordon Liddy's words "a Roman à clef," it remains largely unchanged, but throughout the manuscript, you will find that we have:

• incorporated Peter's thoughts throughout to build his character and break up long sections of narrative
• painted more detailed descriptions of plantations, interiors, characters and other various settings and objects
• enhanced the conflict of George Carrington in various scenes throughout, creating a tense love triangle between him, Peter and Susannah
• added more romantic, tender moments between Peter and Susannah (which I know all you ladies will enjoy!)

The manuscript boasts over 100 additional pages, some of which include brand new scenes:

• Peter learns about spiritual freedom and his heavenly Father when he attends a gathering of the underground church with the other slaves on Hunting Tower plantation
• Christina Hench, the sad woman at Yellow Springs Hospital who nurses Peter back to health
• The slave child Eli at the Anderson plantation that Peter befriends and ultimately saves
• Christmas preparation and celebration at Anderson plantation
• A dramatic blizzard that threatens Peter’s life
• The popular colonial tradition of the Twelfth Night Ball, where Peter has the chance to make his case for freedom and establish himself as a leader in the community if he can overcome George’s attempts to humiliate and discredit him.

Much of this work would have not been possible without Heather Walls. She worked relentlessly for over a year to edit and revise this epic manuscript. Heather’s detailed descriptions of surroundings, Peter’s thoughts, and further development of the romance were invaluable additions to the story of my great-grandfather. Because of her hard work, I was able to deliver the very first copy of this revision to the First Lady of Portugal - Maria Cavaco Silva - at a luncheon in Mount Vernon in November.

I hope you enjoy the new edition! If you read it, let me know what you think!

Fall Recap | First Lady of Portugal

A lot has happened over the autumn months as I've continued to tell Peter's story, so I thought I'd catch you all up.

October 25 - I've been traveling so much that I didn't realize that I was in The Stanly News & Press for my last impersonation of Peter Francisco until I went to my PO Box this morning. The hostess of the event cut out the article and mailed it to me. It's one of the better articles I've read and includes a couple of video clips.

November 8 - I received word that WVPT — one of PBS's largest reaching stations with a potential 6.1 million viewers — will be broadcasting my documentary in the near future into VA, WV, MD, and DC. I'll keep you posted on broadcast dates.

November 10 - I received a phone call from the Army Historical Foundation and they have decided to add one of Peter's swords to the $200 million National Museum of the US Army that is scheduled to open in 2015. They anticipate 750,000 annual visitors. What an honor and a great way to preserve Peter Francisco's legacy! There are three dress swords that Peter Francisco owned that are in museums today. Peter saved Colonel Mayo's life (story in my book) down in Camden, South Carolina, and Mayo gave him a sword after the war to thank him. That sword is at a museum in Richmond but it's not on display. So, I called the Army Historical Foundation asking them to put it on display in the "new" army museum. He told me today that they are moving forward with my suggestion. Wahoo! They are going to use a picture of Peter as well in the display. The curator of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Collection Center offered their oil painting on a permanent loan to the Peter Francisco exhibit at the museum.

November 11 - Josh and I hit the road for Richmond & Washington, DC. We attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Peter Francisco's grave in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in honor of Veterans Day which was organized by the VA Sons of the American Revolution & the Society of the Descendants of Peter Francisco. I came dressed as Peter and it seemed people were taking my picture from every direction. One lady said, "It's really strange seeing you here at your grave, Peter."

Check out all the pictures and back story on: Flickr | Facebook

November 12 - After multiple discussions with the Portuguese Embassy, I was honored to bring Peter Francisco to life for a private luncheon with the First Lady of Portugal and other dignitaries at Mount Vernon. I gave Mrs. Cavaco Silva the first revised copy of Hercules of the Revolution, which I've been working on for the past year. The new edition contains an additional 30,000 words (~100 pages)! Hopefully, this will set up the perfect PR opportunity to hand deliver my book to the President of Portugal when it's translated into Portuguese.

Check out all the pictures and back story on: Flickr | Facebook

Daughters of the American Revolution | Charlotte

Just over 100 members of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) turned out yesterday morning to hear Peter's story. Several of them had seen me before, but most had never heard of my great-grandfather. I signed books/DVDs for an hour and a half afterwards and I sold out of my books. One lady wrote her check out to Travis Francisco! Hmmm...

Funny story: After arriving at the venue, I realized that I had all of the parts to my colonial outfit (shoes, hat, wig, sword, etc) except my shirt. Then I realized I didn't have enough time to go home before "the bright lights hit me". So ... I went w/o a shirt! :0) Just kidding. I talked to one of the DAR ladies who had been a curator at the Charlotte Museum of History before and she knew where some clothes were at the museum. Turns out ... they had the exact same shirt and size that I needed hanging in their wardrobe. Go figure! Another way of saying that ... go God!

Hope everyone had a great new year. I'll be posting a recap of happenings this fall along with pictures of my meeting with the First Lady of Portugal, so stay tuned!

Peter Francisco Honors America's Finest

It's hard to believe 10 years have passed since that tragic events of September 11, 2001. I was at home in Bonney Lake, Washington, at the time, long before my epiphany about my ancestor Peter Francisco. Michelle was home with the boys, Austin then 2 and Josh a newborn. I was about to go meet with a client when I heard about the plane hitting the North Tower at the World Trade Center. Like many, I thought it was an accident at first. But when the second plane hit the South Tower, I realized it was much more than that. I was hit with a wave of emotion. At first I felt numb with disbelief that this was really happening and helpless to do anything. That quickly turned into sadness when the towers fell and the Pentagon was hit, and I came to grips with the harsh reality of life lost. Then I was just angry. Angry that terrorists had found a way to get to us. Angry that anyone could think so little of human life. Angry that the many brave and selfless who had come to aid in the rescue had become unintended casualties. All I could think was: this means war.

Looking back, I wonder now if my sentiments on September 11 mirrored at all those of the people who lived and survived alongside battlefields and skirmishes of those old wars, like the Revolutionary War. Some joined the cause in attempt to keep the fighting from reaching their homeland. Others came to aid the wounded. Some were simply too close to the fighting. Theirs was an innocent sacrifice.

These were the feelings that influenced me when I was invited to speak at Dayton Ave Baptist Church in Xenia, Ohio, on September 11 to a crowd of America's finest police officers and firefighters. Pastor Jon Young honored the officers with a gift from the church.

My sermon was on Honoring Their Sacrifice, and I delivered it as Peter Francisco set in the year 1800. The political climate would have seemed familiar. Candidates for that year's election were campaigning hard for votes. The nation was at war. The government was struggling to pay for out-of-control debt. The Alien & Sedition Acts had been passed in 1798 in part to prevent a violent rebellion similar to the one in France but was viewed by many as the federal government infringing on state's rights. People were rioting in the streets. Revolution was again in the hearts of young America. Had they so quickly forgotten the sacrifice and bloodshed of their fellow countrymen a mere 20 years before or was the fiery passion for freedom still ablaze?

And what about us? Are we still able to recall the feelings of anger, helplessness and loss as we did that September day just 10 years ago? Regardless of the political storm, we should never forget those that sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We should honor their sacrifice! During my sermon, I outlined three practical ways we as citizens can do just that: stay involved in our culture, preserve the family structure, and teach the next generation.

   

There were about 400 in the first service and 300 in the second service. I wasn't wearing the 6' broadsword during the sermon, but I brought it out towards the end. You should have heard the gasps in the crowd. I love that response!

My youngest son Josh traveled with me to Ohio. Afterward, we had lunch with Pastor Jon Young and his family, then Josh and I visited the National Museum of the US Air Force. We only had an hour and a half to visit the museum, but we could have been there for several days. It was truly a fitting way to cap a day honoring America's heroes.

Check out all the pictures on: Facebook | Flickr

What are some ways you have honored the sacrifice of America's heroes?