A Freemason for 38 years, James McNabney of Highland, learned much about the organization's history from his years serving as chairman of its education committee. Using that knowledge, McNabney, a retired insurance executive, has written "Born in Brotherhood" (Authorhouse 2006). The book is about the Revolutionary War and its heroes, many of whom were Freemasons.

"General Joseph Warren was the most ardent patriot and the Grand Master of All Ancient Masons in North America -- yet no one knows him," says McNabney, who did extensive research for his novel, which took more than five years to write.

"He didn't join the army for money or revenge, but just for patriotism. He was elected head of all the armies of New England. If he hadn't been killed at Bunker Hill fighting in the trenches with the troops, he would have probably been president of the United States."

McNabney, who wrote the bicentennial pageant "Founded on Faith," which was performed in Highland, also has discovered other interesting nuggets of history about the Freemasons.

"Thirty-three of Washington's generals, that's over three quarters of them, were Masons," he says. "They weren't always the best generals, but they were honest and hard fighters."

Another famous Freemason who fought in the Revolutionary War was Nathaniel Green, a first degree Freemason.

"He was Washington's favorite general," says McNabney, who retired early from his successful insurance practice to devote his time to researching and writing his book. He read more than 100 books on the subject and also spent two weeks at the Grand Lodge of Masons in Boston, delving into the organization's history.

Besides chronicling the Freemasons' impact on the founding of this country, McNabney also wrote "Born in Brotherhood" as a way to show readers that America stands for principles that unite, not divide, us and to remind us that we should oppose tyranny in any form.

James McNabney will be signing books for the Hammond Historical Society on Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m.at the Hammond Main Library, 564 State St. For more information, call (219) 931-5100. His book can be purchased online through www.amazon.com or www.authorhouse.com