Lawson focuses attention not only on the changing nature of British imperial governance in the age of the American Revolution but also on the significant new developments taking place in Britain at the time. Quebec played a pivotal role in the shift away from the rigid principles of Protestant political exclusionism by challenging the fundamental tenets of English constitutional order. The attempt to bring English law, religion, and custom to Quebec forced the State to revise its whole approach to the existing political and religious problems of the day. In forming his argument, Lawson has made use of material which has recently come to light.

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"Lawson expertly explains how and why the political problem posed by the conquest of Canada helped to begin the transformation of British politics." Julian Gwyn, Ottawa Citizen. "This important book provides a fresh perspective and challenges existing assumptions. Most important, it explores the handling of the issue at the centre of the empire, London, thus underlining the creative tension of the colonial/imperial relationship." John Kendle, Canadian Historical Review. "A convincing, well-balanced, assured synthesis of the material, well written and stylish ... The issues are placed surely in a new context, interlocking the imperial and domestic." A.F. Madden, Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History.