Fleeing the Famine: North America and Irish Refugees, 1845-1851 Book

I had read numerous books on WW2 by Mark and was to be blunt, surprised that he would leave what I thought was his comfort zone and take on the war of 1812. For me 1812 was a deciding point for Canada. Would we remain British or become another state in the USA or not?
Loyalist's or Tories as they were called; were not treated well after the American War of Independence. Many fled to Atlantic Canada. Others to Quebec ( lower Canada ) and the Eastern Townships while other to Upper Canada ( Ontario ). All to start over again. Having to clear away forests and plant their crops amongst the stumps. It was not an easy choice and having left their comforts and lost nearly everything they had. Then in 1812 while Britain was tied up in Europe with Napoleon a new war. In reality it was a civil war as most of the new Colonists / Loyalists were being forced to make a call to fight against their previous neighbours. It was an expensive war and one that should never have happened. It could not be afforded and through major blunders on both sides was costing everyone too much to be continued. How to end it however was a question.
In Europe a group of Diplomats ( American and British )tried to figure out how to bring about an acceptable peace treaty to end a war and yet have both sides save face. It is very interesting to see how they worked on this and how we Canadians are still living with some of the decisions made in 1814 by these 8 gentlemen. Their points of view and hidden agendas and personalities all make for interesting views.
This was not what I had expected and it was a complete surprise for me. Mark carried this off and it certainly made a whole gap in my knowledge of our North American History.
Please do read.