The Ancaster News covered and reported on the official launch of Redcoat 1812 in its November 1, 2012 edition:
"Nixon discussed how he weaved fact and fiction together to create a compelling tale of the war that is both entertaining and accurate."
The entire article may be found at http://www.hamiltonnews.com/whats-on/novelist-blends-fact-and-fiction-in-redcoat-1812/
Monday, 5 November 2012
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Upcoming Appearances
This week I will be at Indigo in Upper Stoney Creek on Thursday, November 8 from 6-8 pm. and at Indigo in Burlington on Saturday, November 10 from 1-4 pm. Hope to meet you.
Friday, 26 October 2012
Book Review
Just recently I received a review of Redcoat 1812 by email from retired secondary school principal and current Catholic school trustee John Valvasori. This is what he said:
"I finished your book yesterday and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was amazing to put into historical context all the streets, villages, sites in the Niagara peninsula that I am so familiar with. I found the story-line exciting. You have great insights into not just the facts, but the personal feelings of one who was there. As the book progressed, your descriptive prose in many scenes was outstanding.
You could actually change my mood just by describing the scene. Most importantly, you educated me, and I believe that was your primary aim."
"I finished your book yesterday and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was amazing to put into historical context all the streets, villages, sites in the Niagara peninsula that I am so familiar with. I found the story-line exciting. You have great insights into not just the facts, but the personal feelings of one who was there. As the book progressed, your descriptive prose in many scenes was outstanding.
You could actually change my mood just by describing the scene. Most importantly, you educated me, and I believe that was your primary aim."
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Hamilton Public Library Talk
On Monday, December 3, 2012 I will be doing a reading from the novel at the Turner Park Library Branch on Rymal Road at 7:00 pm. It is terrific to be included in the Hamilton Public Library Authors Series.
Also, I will be participating in the 2013 War of 1812 Bicentennial Symposium/Living History Conference
in Hamilton on March 2, 2013. As details are confirmed I will provide more information.
Also, I will be participating in the 2013 War of 1812 Bicentennial Symposium/Living History Conference
in Hamilton on March 2, 2013. As details are confirmed I will provide more information.
Monday, 22 October 2012
CH TV Interview
On Thursday, October 18, 2012 I was interviewed on CH Morning Live by Bob Cowan about Redcoat 1812. The five minute interview may be seen at www.chch.com/index.php/morning-live-blog/item/10073-redcoat-1812 Special thanks to Bob Cowan. He is an enthusiatic interviewer with a genuine interest in the Wat of 1812. His support contributed to a filled Old Ancaster Town Hall for the book launch.
If you missed the launch but are interested in meeting me, I am having book signings at the following locations: Saturday, October 27 12-3 pm. at Chapters in Ancaster, Thursday, November 8, 6-8 pm at Indigo in Stoney Creek, and Saturday, November 10, 1-4 p m at Indigo in Burlington. Hope to see you there.
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Book Launch
Fieldcote Museum and the Hamilton Historical Board will host the launch of Redcoat 1812 on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at the Old Ancaster Town Hall in Ancaster, Ontario at 7 pm. Admission is free and all are welcome. I will discuss the differences between historical fiction and non-fiction history before reading
a passage from the novel. Bring your questions about the War of 1812. I will try my best to answer them.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
The Star Spangled Banner
The Star Spangled Banner
Inside the Smithsonian Museum of American History hangs the fifteen star and fifteen stripe flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the British naval attack in 1814. This is the flag that inspired the poem and eventually the American national anthem, for most Americans the most enduring legacy of the War of 1812. But was this the flag that the American infantry carried into Canada during the war?
Apparently not. Although there are reports of the Stars and Stripes flying above Fort Niagara, on Oliver Perry's ship during the Battle of Lake Erie, and with Andrew Jackson at New Orleans, American infantry regiments as their national colours appear to have carried the Presidential Ensign. This flag, essentially displaying the presidential seal, has an American eagle with wings spread, on a navy background beneath
a field of stars. In 1812 the flag had seventeen stars, reflecting the number of states in the union prior to the war. The Presidental Ensign can still be seen today on ceremonial occasions opposite the Stars and Stripes flanking the President.
Why might the United States Army entering Canada not carry the Stars and Stripes?
I offer this speculation. The Stars and Stripes flag adopted by the Continental Congress during the American Revolution represented the thirteen colonies. As additional states joined the union, adjustments to the flag were deemed necessary. But just adding stars and stripes became problematic. By the time that
Mary Pickersgill's banner flew over Fort McHenry there were already seventeen states in the union, not fifteen. Not until after the War of 1812 had ended, did the American Congress in 1818 approve President Munro's bill establishing the national flag as thirteen alternating red and white stripes and twenty stars, twenty being the number of states in the union at that time. Given the debate over how to alter the flag, U.S. Regiments must have decided to avoid any controversy and to carry the Presidential Ensign instead.
Inside the Smithsonian Museum of American History hangs the fifteen star and fifteen stripe flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the British naval attack in 1814. This is the flag that inspired the poem and eventually the American national anthem, for most Americans the most enduring legacy of the War of 1812. But was this the flag that the American infantry carried into Canada during the war?
a field of stars. In 1812 the flag had seventeen stars, reflecting the number of states in the union prior to the war. The Presidental Ensign can still be seen today on ceremonial occasions opposite the Stars and Stripes flanking the President.
Why might the United States Army entering Canada not carry the Stars and Stripes?
I offer this speculation. The Stars and Stripes flag adopted by the Continental Congress during the American Revolution represented the thirteen colonies. As additional states joined the union, adjustments to the flag were deemed necessary. But just adding stars and stripes became problematic. By the time that
Mary Pickersgill's banner flew over Fort McHenry there were already seventeen states in the union, not fifteen. Not until after the War of 1812 had ended, did the American Congress in 1818 approve President Munro's bill establishing the national flag as thirteen alternating red and white stripes and twenty stars, twenty being the number of states in the union at that time. Given the debate over how to alter the flag, U.S. Regiments must have decided to avoid any controversy and to carry the Presidential Ensign instead.
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