"Troublous Times in Canada" is a historical account written by John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. Macdonald sheds light on a critical period in Canadian history that followed the conclusion of the American Civil War in 1865. Macdonald expresses his concern that Canadian authors and historians have largely overlooked the gravity of the events that transpired during this time. The author emphasizes that the Fenian troubles of 1866 and 1870 posed significant dangers to Canada, which, if not addressed promptly, could have led to the severance of Canada from British dominion. Macdonald draws on his personal experiences serving on the Niagara frontier during the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870. He aims to provide a faithful account of the events during these campaigns, relying not only on his memory but also on official records and reports from the Militia Department in Ottawa and the Ontario Bureau of Archives in Toronto. "Troublous Times in Canada" by John A. Macdonald serves as a historical record of the Fenian troubles in Canada, offering insights into the challenges faced by the young nation during a critical period in its history.

In the turbulent decade which produced the Canadian Confederation of 1867, a group of seasoned veterans of the American Civil War turned their attention to the conquest of Canada. They were Irish-American revolutionaries — unique because they fought under their own flag. They were know as the Fenians and they believed that the first step on the road to the liberation of Ireland was to invade Canada. The Last Invasion of Canada vividly recaptures the drama of the decade. It recounts the fledgling nation’s rag-tag, but patriotic, defence against an enemy committed to a glorious cause, but with only scattered resources. It is a story of courage, espionage and petty crime, and of mismatched motivations and goals.

The 1st volume (1896) includes important publications of 1895.