More illuminates fascinating history along an important stretch of Canada's "South Coast" along the upper St. Lawrence River and the lower Great Lakes between Montreal and Windsor. During the first half-century following the 'Conquest' in 1760, tens of thousands of French-Canadians working along this water highway became critically important elements in the defence of Canada. The Canadiens made major contributions to Canada's survival through several American invasions aimed at annexing the then-British colony in 1775 and in 1812-14. No other histories of Canada have examined in detail the role and work of these mostly anonymous and largely forgotten mariners - sailors, shipbuilders, and batteau men alike - and this book reveals new aspects of the developing relationship between British, French-Canadian and American settlers. The permanent division of North America into two nations north of Mexico that resulted was a significant event in world history. David More has been chronicling Canadian-American history in fiction and fact since 1977 including the award winning Smithyman Saga. While researching for his novels, More discovered the untold history of Canadians involved in defending Canada from the Americans, and wanted to ensure their importance and heroics were documented and remembered.

More is an award winning scholar within his MA and Ph.D. in Colonial Canadian history. Living in Kingston, More is happily married for more than 47 years to his wife Donna, and they have one daughter. He can be found writing his next books in, and "continually improving", his 1856 Limestone home near Lake Ontario.