The key focus of this book, the term loyalist refers to Americans who chose to support the British government in the Revolutionary War. Despite the current connotation of the word as describing a fanatic or true believer, loyalists during and after the Revolutionary War were ideologically diverse, choosing to remain faithful to King George III for widely varied reasons. Loyalists often advocated for reforms to the relationship between Britain and the American colonies short of revolution.

This term refers to the perspective from the center of the British Empire, namely London. Throughout the book, metropolitan contrasts with provincial, points of view from Britain’s colonies.

Patriot refers to those Americans who supported revolution against the British monarchy and full independence for the United States. Patriots believed that the relationship between the British government and the American colonies was beyond peaceful reform.