Jack Frake

Sparrowhawk #1

by Edward Cline

Bringing a radically new perspective to the events leading up to The American Revolution, Sparrowhawk, a new series of historical novels, establishes that The Revolution occurred in two stages: the war for independence and also a more subtle revolution that happened in men's minds that occurred many years before the Declaration of Independence. Book 1 in this new series introduces the reader to life in 18th Century England, where, despite being one of the freest countries in the world there were rumblings of discontent amongst the citizens and Jake Frake is no exception to this endemic restlessness. From an early age he has developed an independent mind and spirit, a trait that is not openly welcomed for someone of his lowly class. Fate and circumstance leads him to join a band of smugglers and he furthers their cause. Jack himself is sentenced to eight years of servitude in the Colonies and he embarks on a sea voyage aboard the Sparrowhawk, destined for Virginia.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, American Revolution, Historical, 18th Century, Literature, Epic

360 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Edward Cline is an American novelist and essayist. He is best known for his Sparrowhawk series of novels, which take place in England and Virginia before the American Revolutionary War. He is also the author of First Prize and Whisper the Guns. Outside of his work as a novelist, Cline is known for his writings on esthetics and his defense of capitalism and of free speech. As a writer, his strongest influence has been the philosopher-novelist Ayn Rand. Currently, he is a policy analyst for the Center for the Advancement of Capitalism. He lives in Yorktown, Virginia.





from wikipedia.com

Reviews

[Kent]

i learned of this author and series when our Ayn Rand Society of St. Louis group was deciding on which book to tackle next - captivating story - characters's conversations are in a language appropriate for the time period, but not so stilted that it slowed the reading - enough action and suspense to keep me interested and ready to get the next in the series

[Christopher Taylor]

This was an interesting read. Ostensibly its the story of a young man who becomes involved with the sea and the Revolutionary war in the US. It is well written and the characters are interesting, with few having simple, clear goals or motives. For the most part the historical setting is well handled, with a focus on rural Cornwall during the early 1700s.

At another level, however it is a Randian Objectivist text and sometimes the text overwhelms the story, although not as badly as Ayn Rand. There are no 3-chapter speeches here, just a few pages and some kind of heavy-handed presumptions about life, events, and persons. However, it is written well enough and has an interesting enough tale of smugglers and English countryside facing a new and dedicated customs officer.

The tale is a bit bleak, and while its pretty clear where the story arc of this series is headed, somewhat hopeless in this first volume. If you are going into this expecting a sea novel, you will be disappointed, although there are some ship events.

[Bob Hinnant]

The story is very good and the series very informative. It teaches a side of the American Revolution not generally taught. The only reason I give these books 3 stars versus 4 or 5 is that the author seems enamored with his vocabulary, tries too hard to use the vernacular of the period or both. I appreciate his efforts but it can detract from the story. I was glad to be reading the series with a Kindle so as to have the instant dictionary immediately available. In some cases, there were words used that Kindle couldn't define. I am considered to have a more than serviceable vocabulary myself but found myself challenged. On one hand it is good to expand your knowledge of our language but not to the point of detracting from the flow of the story itself.

[Brian]

Years after the American Revolution, John Adams wrote, "The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people" in the fifteen years prior to the start of the War of Independence. During that period, the nation witnessed a "radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people."

Sparrowhawk dramatizes both the intellectual and psychological revolution that led to the America's independence. Rich in historical detail, Sparrowhawk allows us to experience the heroism that ultimately created the greatest nation in mankind's history.

[Diane]

Odd libertarian slant made the characters unrealistic. It was more of a manifesto than a novel.

[Sunday Hollis]

very good story, the writing is excellent and Mr Cline is obviously well educated. Reminds me of the great Classics, but not as dry.

[Bryan]

Here is a sampling of reasons I could not finish this book.

- Plotlessness. By the time I abandoned this book, there had been murders, an abduction, narrow escapes, political intrigue, a secret induction into a gang of noble smugglers, violent fights — and I still had the empty feeling of waiting for the action of the story to finally begin, coupled with the growing awareness that it never would. Events that other authors make momentous, Cline transforms into an endless series of anticlimactic backstory anecdotes that amount to nothing.

- Preachiness so sustained and patronizing that it infuriated me even when I agreed with it. One example would be the bit where he manages to insert a speech against socialism a century before socialism came into existence.

- Torpid vagueness glazed into the pompous preening of a blowhard: "An emotion galvanized his consciousness, and on impulse, in answer to something he had once seen from a distance and now had reached, he tore off his hat to hold it high in the air in salute to the glowing triumvirate of himself, the coastline and the memory, and shouted 'Huzza!'" Really, that's what you're in for. What was the emotion? What was the memory? Was it the something once seen? Was it just a symbol? If so, of what? Who cares, it doesn't matter as long as it's triumphant-sounding, right? Huzza!

The author described this book as "a true epic — there's nothing like it in the world." I hope he's right.

[Bill Krieger]

 

I'll paraphrase David Mamet – if you're going to proselytize, then you better be danged entertaining while you're doing it. Agree or disagree with the message, this is the primary failure of Sparrowhawk. It's not very entertaining or interesting.

After the story, author Edward Cline's first acknowledgement is Ayn Rand. The influence here is obvious when reading Sparrowhawk; Cline's style is Ayn Rand-ian. (ha) Hey, I'm a fan too, and I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged, but Sparrowhawk isn't as good. Much of the problem lies in the lead characters, the heroes of the story. They seem, to a man, to be sanctimonious fops. I may agree with their cause, but they're pretty insufferable.

The historical fiction parts of the story are okay. The writing style is straight line. This happened, then that happened, and so on. There's very little humor.

QOTD

Wicker sat back and frowned in tentative amusement. “Explain that, please, Mr. Smith.”

“All taxation is assault. It is merely a more refined, efficient, and insidious form of theft, but essentially the same as that practiced by highwaymen. We smuggled our goods past the thieves. The thieves, however, found us out, and assaulted us back. We fought back, as is our right.”

- Sparrowhawk

Not a good read.
thanks... yow, bill

 

[KarlaC]

I have no idea where I got this book, but I found it on one of my shelves, and finally decided to read it. The book I have is an ARC, which I picked up somewhere. Ta da!!! It just hit me where it came from! Back in 2000, I was a library technician student. I went to an ALA conference. Publishers were giving their books away for free. The book has a publication date of November 1 2001 on the front cover.
With that being said, this book is by far my biggest surprise read of 2023. I've read a lot of books about the American Revolution, but have never read one that lays out the cause of the Revolution. Basically, this book lays the argument that because of the oppression and taxation of the people by the Crown of England, their discontent grew and grew. Once over in the colonies, they knew what kind of government they didn't want. A KING! And they were willing to fight for it. It was a very enlightening book for me. I'm not sure if I'll read the following five books in the series, but I'm glad to find out they have been published.

[Foster Meyerson]

Objectivist pirate book.
If those words don't interest you, move along.

If you've stayed, it's a pretty good swing at doing something on the level of Ayn Rand, doesn't quite reach the height of intrigue, but it also doesn't pull multi-chapter lectures, for better or worse.

The characters really are quite compelling, and crucially, they have real agency within the story.
Everyone earns their growth/conclusion throughout.

A good read.

[Manske]

Historical fiction about England before the US revolution

Objectivist-inspired and consistent though it seems to have some anarchist sympathies. First book of a series I plan to read.

[Michael Burke]

Very well written fictional but accurate partial history of smugglers and the Revenue men.
Many of the behaviors fomenting the beginnings of the revolution
Whether the Protagonoists are real or not they and their stategems are interesting to read about

[Judith]

I just happened to notice this book on the library shelf referencing the American Revolution and picked it up on impulse. I’m so glad I did. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. Cline’s characters draw you in - you have to know what happens to them. So happy this is a series!

[Anne Patkau]

Sad moral, true patriots die. We have not yet rung triumphant bells of equality. From early on, Jack knows right from wrong. Or knows he's right. He gets in with only smuggler gang who practice justice, freedom, checks merchants charge price less taxes, want Utopia less single ruler -- Colony?

[Tony]

I was looking for something light- something historical fiction- and something centered around the pre-revolutionary century in England. Cline certainly does his research- most of the vocablary he laces throughout the story is older english...at least my dictionary pegged most of the terms to the 18th and 17th centuries. If you read the novel in an English accent- it actually works and can facilitate the speediness of the read. The book can be read in a few sittings and although it starts off a little slow in the first one hundred pages, it becomes something you all-of-a-sudden find yourself deeply engrossed in.

Cline had access to many of the archives at Williamsburg and William and Mary, and he uses these primary sources to add validity to the tale. Cline does a good job presenting the outright burdensome tax structure that infected 17th and 18th century England and the corrupt tax commissioners working for the Crown- so much so- I found myelf becoming more and more libertarian as I turned each new page.

The main characters in the book are smugglers who represent enlighted, educated, and sophisticated Robin Hoods of their time. They evade taxes, sell exotic goods for reduced prices, engage in political debate, perform theater and write! The story provides a fresh way of looking at the concepts of self-determination, individualism, and laissez faire economics. Although I was a bit dissappointed that the story fell short of painting a vivid picture of what it was really like- socially- to live in 17th and 18th century England, it's certainly worth a read.

[Kristina]

This is neither a history book nor a storybook; this is a book on the evolution of individual philosophy about one's place within oneself, one's community, one's government, one's state and the world. That isn't to say that there is no history or no stories in it - on the contrary, the philosophical transformation is seen through the eyes of Jack Frake, a boy living in 1740s England, whose every new stage in life is generally accompanied by a profound 'spiritual' (in the sense of "this is who I am," "this is what I believe in and what I stand for") epiphany or understanding. But the historical narrative provides only the backdrop against which Jack goes from being an unloved country boy, albeit very bright, to a Man with a sense of self and purpose, albeit a convicted felon. The true beauty of the book, much to Edward Cline's credit, is that the story illustrates the philosophy and the philosophy underpins the story - one without the other would make for uninspired reading.

[Shane]

What a great swashbuckling tale! This is a continuation of my "Libertarian Fiction" reading list. Many of us know about our founding fathers and what they went through to create the Declaration of Independence and build a country through revolution after. This book addresses the question 'what came before?'

The story of Jake Frake uses the familiar 'coming of age' approach to a complicated story. In this case; it is the story in a sense of a boy raised by wolves (or pirates). These wolves are not of an evil variety but the sort that keep a herd healthy. Part of the cycle of life were the wolves are free and the cattle are slaves.

Cline accomplishes this with fascinating characters and rich, colorful prose. It is a grand adventure in historical fiction.

[Diane]

At first, I must admit, I did not like the writing style of Mr. Cline. It seemed tedious and dry. But as the story warmed up and the plot thickened, I got into it. It is set in a period in England that I had been looking into for our family history. So it really brought to life what had happened to our ancestor back then, and the social mindset behind it all. I had every intention of finding the next installment in the Sparrowhawk series, to see how closely it followed the migration of our people to the New World. Haven't done it yet, though.

Friends, I have a copy of this book if you wish to borrow it.

[Corto]

This was a gift that I wasn't excited read (simply based on the cover design and title), but I recently jumped in and was pleasantly surprised. First off, plain and simple, this is a polemic for pure capitalism disguised as an adventure story starring a young boy in mid-18th century England. I can't say I agree with all of the ideas Cline is pushing. However, despite my qualms, I think it's a very intellectually stimulating book. The political and economic history of the time, as well as minute details of the milieu itself are integrated seamlessly. Very well written and exciting.

[Jon]

Jack Frake Sparrowhawk Series 1-7

Heckuva good read. Series of books following the life of a boy growing into a man, Jack Frake, in the 1700s, just before the American Revolution. Brings you back into the mindset and life of the era.

I really enjoyed it from start to finish. Thanks Edward Cline, for the wonderful story and the history inadvertently learned as I escaped into the world of the haves and have-nots of the 1700s. No wonder there was a revolution! Just awesome.

[Barb]

There is much to like in this historical fiction set in England in the mid-seventeen hundreds. but after reading a hundred and forty pages and didn't feel connected to the main character. The writing is good and I could easily imagine the setting and the scenes as they unfolded. The story has much interesting history woven through it but sometimes the details slow the story down and it felt somewhat unemotional. I think that this one might be good for guys.

[Derek Baker]

Historically based fiction, but not heavily romanticized; author made up characters in real historical settings (Revolutionary war); heavy emphasis on the ideas and writing that influenced people
Not a typical dramatic page turner like most fiction, but compelling if you are interested in the development of ideas in the time period.
Book Two was my favorite; liked the intellect of character Hugh.

[Todd]

Written by a local Williamsburg, VA author. My mom actually worked with him while he wa writting the first two in the series. He signed them with a very nice personal note. I was visiting with her and had no idea that she had the copies. I saw them on the shelf and borrowed them. I read the first this one in about a week.

[Claire Kopp]

I found this book very hard to read, the prose were difficult, and at times boring. I was disappointed, since I was very interested in the subject matter (pre-Revolutionary War in Britain). I will be curious to see what my other book club members think- was it just me?

[Amanda]

Wow! This was really good. It was a great perspective of an important time. Reading about the smugglers was fun and exciting too. Lots of comparisons can be drawn to the political tensions of today, but there are many differences too. I definitely plan to read book 2 soon.

[Stephanie]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not normally one for historical fiction but Cline wrote a very exciting story that was authentic without feeling stodgy. I'm eager to read the rest of the series.

[Angi]

Interesting. Historical fiction. Takes place in England in the early 1700s. A boy learns about ideas of independance and democracy from a group of Rogues.

[Milt]

dbg

[Don Livesay]

A well written, historically sound page turner. Before I read this I thought only the the British colonies had trouble with unfair taxation.

[Bob Bartsch]

Great character development, wonderful descriptions of 1700's British gov't and import export laws, establishes Jack Frake for later books in series.