The South Marysburgh Mirror Book Review Hostages to Fortune by Peter C. Newman Reviewed by Sam Lanfranco PhD For some reviews the challenge is to not be a spoiler and give the plot away. That is never the case with the writing of Peter C. Newman where the telling of the story is central to a plot with a known ending. After a dozen and a half books, Newman has written “Hostages to Fortune”, a book about the Empire Loyalists, their migration to Canada, and, most importantly, their imprint on Canada. Here is a small “spoiler alert” for those living in the County: The County is a minor bit player in this story, turning up briefly about four-fifths of the way through the story. The bigger story is “How this be Canada”, more as a condition than a nationality, and the role of the Loyalists in this becoming. At the end of the book, in Newman’s acknowledgements, he writes: “...what I’ve learned is that if it’s absurd to feel you can change things, it is much more absurd not to try.” | could not agree more. Resigned to optimism, | have always believed that “We can get there from here”. “Here” is where we start, “There” will be revealed as we navigate along the babbling brooks of spring, and across the treacherous rivers of winter. At birth Loyalists had not a clue of the rivers they would cross in winter, where they would go, and who they would become or the Canada they would shape. Newman draws on family stories, in particular the Jarvis family, to put flesh on the history of the Loyalist saga. One of the ironies of the American Revolution is that both the Patriots and the Loyalists shared Newman’s imperative for action. Their notions of freedom and liberty found common ground in the wish for greater representation in their affairs of life. Those who became the Loyalists saw strength from change within the Monarchy and the Patriots saw the Monarchy as an obstacle to change. The resulting civil war, pitting neighbor against neighbor and splitting families, was as vicious and nasty as such conflicts always are. Native Americans were enlisted on both sides as opportunity presented itself. Victory by the Patriots was not followed by a “Truth and Reconciliation” process, and peace further fed retribution and Loyalist abuse. The departing Loyalists, bringing new ideas of liberty and freedom with them, thought less about “going home” to a Britain whose behavior had disappointed them, and thought more about survival and a new future. That future became Canada. (Continued on page 8) HOSTAGES FORTUNE The South Marysburgh Recreation Board The Marysburgh Mummers The Milford Fair Board Meetings, Events, Announcements Wii Bowling Milford Town Hall Thursdays from January 12th to April 27th NEW TIME! 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. NEW! Music Circle Milford Town Hall Sundays - January 8th & February 5th 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Organized by Ril Giles Milford Winter Carnival Friday night and Saturday, January 27 & 28, 2017 To reserve the Milford Town Hall or Mt. Tabor, please contact: Bruce Dowdell at 613. 476.8891 vidvar@kos.net OR Leon McConnell at 613. 476.6606 Read The Mirror on-line and in colour at www.southmarysburghmirror.com Why be a slave to your lawn? DART Property Maintenance Picton, Ontario Large & Small Lawns Spring & Fall Clean Up Small Tree Removal Tree Trimming Snow Blowing 613.503.0025 Fully Insured