Troublous Times in Canada A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870

"Troublous Times in Canada" by John A. MacDonald is a record of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870, which were attempts by Irish nationalists to invade Canada from the United States. MacDonald, who was there, explores the courage of Canadian volunteers who stepped up to defend their country. The book begins by explaining the political situation in Ireland and how the Fenian Brotherhood started in the 1850s and 1860s. The author explains the motivations behind the Fenian invasions, pointing out important people and events that led to battles. MacDonald highlights that many Canadians at the time didn't know much about these important historical events, and frames the Fenians not simply as enemies, but as part of a bigger movement for Irish independence that greatly affected Canada and Britain. The beginning of the book offers a view of the mounting tensions along the Canadian border and the nervous preparations of volunteers facing the threat of invasion.