The Loyalists: Revolution, Exile, Settlement [Paperback]

Christopher Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1994

In 1783 and 1784, some fifty thousand Americans felt that they could not support the revolution against Britain. They were called Loyalists – and there would be no place for them in the new United States.

As they streamed into the Canadian colonies to the north, they changed forever the face of settlement there. Their arrival would eventually lead to the formation of the provinces of New Brunswick and Ontario.

First published in hardcover in 1984, the bicentenary of the migration, The Loyalists tells the very human story of these people – of the societies that shaped them, the attitudes that motivated them, and the circumstances that determined their future and influenced the future of Canada. It went on to win the Secretary of State's Prize for Excellence in Canadian Studies.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In 1783 and 1784, some fifty thousand Americans felt that they could not support the revolution against Britain. They were called Loyalists – and there would be no place for them in the new United States.

As they streamed into the Canadian colonies to the north, they changed forever the face of settlement there. Their arrival would eventually lead to the formation of the provinces of New Brunswick and Ontario.

First published in hardcover in 1984, the bicentenary of the migration, The Loyalists tells the very human story of these people – of the societies that shaped them, the attitudes that motivated them, and the circumstances that determined their future and influenced the future of Canada. It went on to win the Secretary of State's Prize for Excellence in Canadian Studies.

About the Author

Christopher Moore may be Canada’s most versatile writer of history. His first book, Louisbourg Portraits, won a Governor General’s Award and continues to delight readers, and his Loyalists: Revolution, Exile, Settlement won the Secretary of State’s Prize for Excellence in Canadian Studies. He co-authored the authoritative Illustrated History of Canada, and his history of Canada for young people, The Story of Canada (co-authored with Janet Lunn), was a bestseller and won the Mister Christie Award for Children’s Books. He has also written The Law Society of Upper Canada and Ontario’s Lawyers, Canada: Our Country (co-authored with Mark Kingwell), and 1867: How the Fathers Made a Deal. He has made many radio documentaries for CBC-Radio’s “Ideas” and writes a column for The Beaver.

Christopher Moore lives in Toronto.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart; 1st edition (April 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0771060939
• ISBN-13: 978-0771060939
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,588,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always best to look at history from both sides, May 25, 2006

By 

Michael N. Ryan (Bel AIr, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Loyalists: Revolution, Exile, Settlement (Paperback)

When I was a school boy on summer vacation I casually chatted with my stepgrandfather about the things I had learned over the year about the American revolution. And then I said I wondered if I had any ancestors who had participated in the conflict.

He looked me right in the eye and told me his family secret. His ancestors had participated. They had been Loyalists. Their home had been New York but like the overwhelming majority of Loyalists, they chose to Stay in the US after the war.

They may have been loyal to Britain simply because they had always seen themselves as part of Britain, but after the war they were hardly a King and Country lot. Most simply wanted to be left alone and live out their lives in peace.

This book, which I acquired soon after it was published is the story of this peticular group, seen through the eyes of select individuals, who were between fifteen and twenty percenty of the American population in the thirteen colonies. It tries to give insight into what was their mindset as well as give the reader their history. It certainly gives that for all their loyalty, Britain was hardly a caring or sharing host.

I cetainly disagree with the author's attempted portrayal of Thomas Hutchinson as an Imperial Statesman who was a participatting member of the British Empire. Thomas Hutchinson was a local politician who saw himself in Massachusetts in positions of authority in Massachussetts. He looked to Parliment for patronage to gain local power. In many ways he and men like him are no different from the Nabobs of India who went to men like Clive and made the deal that for British backing they would go forth to tax the locals dry and share the loot. Men like Ben Franklin, the 'Rebels', also looked to Parliment but for seats. Beyond this little disagreement I have with the author, this is a great book to read.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one is my favorite, October 6, 2004

By 

Mr. Mickey J. Wind (douglaston, ny United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Loyalists: Revolution, Exile, Settlement (Paperback)

As a proud UEL member and student of the American Revolution, especially loyalists, this is my my favorite book to date.

I strongly recommend anyone that is not familiar with loyalists to read this book. It gives rich and detailed specific accounts of real people that are documented.

This book will go a long way in helping you understand Loyalists, what they were and what happened to them. It may even open your eyes to the plight of these heroic people who have been so lost to propoganda that it is sad.

We the People*

*the rights we want are only for those that think exactly like we do or you are exempt.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loyalists in the family tree, July 5, 2010

By 

Kate Parrow - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Loyalists: Revolution, Exile, Settlement (Paperback)

Now that I know I have many branches of my family tree that opted for Canada on account of their Loyalist views I can now find sympathy with them after reading this book. It is a clear delineation of the times and the choices people were faced with under the siege of war.