Book excerpt: Castine is a delightfully tranquil village located on a peninsula bounded by the Bagaduce River on one side and Penobscot Bay on the other. It makes a powerful impression upon all who visit: indeed the very name Castine conjures up images of verdant landscapes, of sea-washed shores, and of life in a serene Maine village; images so magical that they become ingrained in one's memory. Castine is a charming, peaceful place, but it has not always been so. Visited as early as 1604 by European explorers and traders, Castine has since been known as the "Battleground of Four Nations" because French, Dutch, English, and American soldiers have fought for control of this strategically important place over the years. The remains of two forts-- Fort George and Fort Madison--stand testimony to the part that Castine played in America's formative wars.