I received a Galley audible proof of 'From Underground Railroad to Rebel Refuge'. This book contains information about how Canada played within the American Civil War which I had never read. While not an academic, I have read extensively about the American Civil War and this book showed me unexplored vistas. Not surprising and shown throughout American historical literature, many Negros were able to flee slavery across the border to Canada. The numbers were larger than I knew about, the bounty hunters going into Canada did not surpirse but I had not realized the scope, and the stories told within this book brought out much more. One of the surprises for me was the attempt by the South to drag Canada into the Civil War, a real spy versus spy saga. I would highly recommend this for history buffs.

As an adult I have become more interested in history, not just of the USA but all the older wars and how they affected other countries. This not only talks about the underground railroad and slavery but also how it impacted Canada and other countries when US citizens started to flee for safety and to be free. I can't help but wonder what it was like for so many to have made that journey so far from where they came from just to have to make another journey so much farther just to be free to live like they were before someone stole them away.. Later in the book it started to voice opinions when talking about the presidents and that is where it lost my interest. We all have opinions but when it comes to history I don't believe we should plug ours into the story. I will give this a 3 for the underground railroad part of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review From Underground Railroad to Rebel Refuge.

Author: Brian Martin
Published: 10/25/22
Narrator: Chris Sorensen
Genre: History -- Nonfiction (Adult)

Chris Sorensen did a nice job narrating. His voice and animations were equivalent to a night class professor. All the material is given in a relaxed fashion.

The synopsis is clear, and I'm not going to repeat it. There are no spoilers.

This is a true history book. I prefer a story as opposed to an antedotal. The text is truly dry. At one point, I was tired and had to stop listening, the facts were being spoken in a fashion consistent with having the phone book read to me. I was exhausted mentally.

I believe this is written for smart people. Those who prefer nonfiction with history specific details may enjoy this. I sat down without thinking, surprised I wasn't being told a nonfiction story. Now, if this was on Antarctica, Shackleton, and the first group to make it, I'm all in. There are no phone book readings.

I would definitely gift this with a bottle of wine, cognac, cigars, flowers.

Please don't be deterred by my rating. This from a nonfiction history standpoint is not my niche.

This book is more a commentary on Canada’s relationship with African-Americans but it also Delves in to other facets of that. From being a safe haven for runaway slaves even being a safe place for their oppressors Canada has had a long varied history with racism and oppressing. Not unlike their southern neighbor they’ve had their issues as well as they’re good points when it comes to the treatment of African-Americans in this book covers it all from the Civil War to the reestablishment of the clue clucks clan and I found it also very interesting. I listen to the audiobook and thought the narrator had a very engaging voice he sounded like a true Canadian. Are use the term African-American for lack of a better term I know if Black people were born in Canada they are now Canadian Africans a song version of that but in Lou of a better word are used a safe standard. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This is a fascinating history of the relationship between Canada, the U.S., and the Confederacy. Initially, as part of the British Empire, Canada had outlawed slavery earlier and thus had some sympathy for the Federal cause. Later, especially as there sprung up beliefs in annexation by the United States, Canada drifted toward cohesion, closer ties with Britain, and became a home to CSA plots, recruits, and veterans. Apparently, much of this occurred in and around London, Ontario. This involved the Ku Klux Klan and other post-Civil War racism which is documented well into the 20th Century.

While it is not a strictly Canadian part of the story, there is much interesting detail about the effect The Birth of a Nation , the 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish, had on the rebirth of The Klan.