Sparrowhawk, Book One: Jack Frake

One of the most interesting aspects of the Sparrowhawk series is the depth of research that Edward Cline performed to create his 18th century setting. He had to master the social atmosphere, the spoken and written language, the laws, the commercial aspects, the philosophy and the arts of the period. In addition, he had to develop a detailed sense of place for the various settings and a thorough understanding of the actual historical personages that appeared in the story. The proof of his success is the fact that the books transport you into the period and make you feel that you are a part of the action. This series is, not only, great literature, but, also, a great learning experience.The Sparrowhawk flag is a prime example of this research. In Book V, Mr. Cline describes, in detail, a red and white striped ensign with a St. George's cross in the canton that was one of the early jacks of the English East India Company (EIC). He weaves into his story, by reference to actual historical events, how this flag came into the hands of a resident of Caxton, the Virginia town that is the center of much of the action. The flag is modified by the Sons of Liberty, the group of Caxton patriots, by replacing the St. George's cross with a blue canton containing the legend "Live Free or Die". Although the Americans carried flags of many designs during the Revolution, there is no real history of the actual origin of the stars and stripes. Mr. Cline provides an eminently credible one.As he has written elsewhere: "No history of the American flag even mentions the EIC jack, although it was obvious to me what its origin must have been, having gone onto the National Maritime Museum site in London in the course of my researches and seen the depictions of the East Indiamen. Omission of the jack in those histories startled me. But, by charter, East Indiamen were not permitted to call on North American ports. So no colonial American who had never voyaged to Britain would have ever seen one. Benjamin Franklin, however, spent a good portion of his life in London (later in Paris), as did many other colonial Americans, such as Arthur Lee. Immediately east of London Bridge on the Thames were the warehouses and docks of the East India Company, in the Pool of London, where the Indiamen loaded and unloaded cargoes. Franklin, Lee, and numerous other colonial Americans who crossed that bridge had to have seen the Indiamen and their jacks."More details about the Sparrowhawk flag (including illustrations) and the Sparrowhawk series, in general, can be found at the "drurytrantham" blog.

This was a good story but the book had obviously never been proof read. Innumerable typos caused a lot of double takes.

Edward Cline sets his Sparrowhawk series in what was truly an extraordinary time for Western Civilization. This was the era of the European and American Enlightenments. The 6 Sparrowhawk novels specifically span the three decades leading up to the American Revolution.Two heroic characters are developed in books one and two who run through the entire series, Jack Frake in the first, and Hugh Kendrick in the second. One is an English commoner, the other an aristocrat, and they interact throughout the series in fascinating ways, especially when they find themselves neighbors in America. Joining them along the way is a host of other vivid characters, many heroic, many villanous. The experience is exhilarating, the characters unforgettable – on both sides of the Atlantic.I’ll say no more for fear of spoiling the experience for any reader who tackles this series. Recently, I finished it myself, and envy all those who still have that experience ahead of them. There is passion, romance, evil, tragedy, glory, and inspiration. I could say I wish I were still reading Sparrowhawk, but I know that eventually I will again. Sparrowhawk will permanently remain in my Kindle library.For potential readers who might find the prospect of a six book commitment daunting, I would point out that each book is a stand-alone work and can be enjoyed as such. At the same time, each is deftly connected to all the others, with unifying themes, objects, and literary devices running throughout to enhance those connections. Be forewarned – once you start, you will find yourself compelled to read them all.The history of the period is momentous, and Cline is a master dramatizer of it.

Why call the book "Sparrowhawk" and use a picture of a ship as the cover if you're planning to write an almost completely land-based story?

I can only echo the accolades offered here by the other five-star reviewers. Although earlier in life I was devoted to literature and am still a voracious bookworm, I now rarely read modern novels anymore, having found so many of them to be disappointing, off-putting, irrelevant, or just downright bizarre and a waste of time. I also did not consider myself to be particularly interested in the time period of the "Sparrowhawk" series. Yet I am interested in learning history on my own, and the books of Jane Austen and David McCullough ("John Adams" and "1776" in particular) are favorites of mine, so on a friend's extremely enthusiastic recommendation, I checked out "Sparrowhawk Book One: Jack Frake." I was NOT disappointed. I was enlightened, enthralled, and excited. In fact, now I find the time period fascinating and I want to learn more.Ed Cline's writing and his aim and scope are amazing and masterful, and his research is phenomenal. He makes his material and his people come alive while being totally authentic. His descriptions of London alone are worth the price of the book. "Jack Frake" is a work that combines compelling action (an original plot), memorable characters, historical information, and important philosophical ideas leading up to the American Revolution in a way that makes me want to stand up and cheer. It is a rare pleasure to find such a book and such an author. I just want to say "Thank you, Mr. Cline!" I am now speeding through "Book Two: Hugh Kenrick" and glory be, it's even better! This is a series I will thoroughly enjoy, reread, keep, and recommend to others.

Great book. The author obviously knows his history, which makes the entire atmosphere more engrossing. I recommend this book for its strong characters; bold, tactful, rational, and courageous. If you enjoy Ayn Rand's novels, Edward Cline is a fine addition to heroic tales.