Members of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee collaborated with the American Friends of Lafayette to produce a book titled "Lafayette: America's Young Hero & Guest."

In 1777, 19-year-old Lafayette defied his king and left his family behind in France to come to America to fight for independence and freedom. He was injured during the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777. Brandywine marked the beginning of Lafayette's becoming an American hero.

Lafayette became a trusted member of Gen. George Washington's staff. America was able to defeat the British with assistance from France, which provided crucial supplies and troops at Lafayette's urging.

The American Friends of Lafayette, a national organization, is re-creating Lafayette's tour of America. The organization established a Bicentennial Committee to commemorate the Farewell Tour of Lafayette.

The Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee is organizing celebrations in Chadds Ford, West Chester, and Delaware County. Lafayette had a grand dinner in Chester on Oct. 5, 1824. His visits to Chadds Ford and West Chester took place on July 26, 1825. The modern celebrations will take place exactly 200 years after Lafayette's visits.

The new book, "Lafayette: America's Young Hero & Guest," was written by Bruce Mowday and Alan R. Hoffman, American Friends of Lafayette president. Original illustrations were contributed by Chadds Ford artist Shay Aubrey Allen.

Portions of the proceeds of the 74-page book will be donated to the American Friends of Lafayette's Bicentennial Committee. For copies, contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com.

For more information on the American Friends of Lafayette Bicentennial celebration, visit http://www.lafayette200.org. For information on the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee, search for the organization's page on Facebook.