Revolution

by Edward Cline

Book Overview

The American Revolution did not just happen. It was the culmination of two centuries of Enlightenment ideas that entered men's minds and were refined and honed until they expressed themselves in an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596921099
• ISBN13: 9781596921092
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Lawson Library
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The Sparrowhawk Flag

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.

Excellent book

The Sparrowhawk series is excellent. I'm reading this one for the third time and eagerly anticipating the new one in December.

Lazy Readers Need Not Apply

If you're someone who prefers light, purely escapist reading that doesn't require much active thought on your part, this is definitely not the book for you. I'm not saying it isn't a moving, tension-filled story, because it most definitely is (though thank goodness it's not "moving" in the sticky, maudlin sense that's so prevalent today, where authors drop anvils of loss, despair, and pity on your head). It's only that Cline doesn't cater to intellectual laziness. This is a book of astonishing historical richness, built on an uncompromising philosophical foundation. The dialogue is written with nuanced, historical phrasing and a deep lexicon that require care and attention. I freely admit that several times I had to re-read passages for some subtlety or detail or witty allusion. And every single time I was rewarded for doing so--rewarded by a chuckle or increased comprehension of an historical point (internal vs. external taxation anyone?). "Sparrowhawk: Revolution," is one of those rare novels that you finish feeling that your time was well spent, that you were entertained and educated at the same time, and that you simply must read again. My only problem now is an enormous anticipation for the final book of the series. Two weeks after finishing "Revolution" and I'm still thinking about the clues that Cline left us and asking questions, many of which have to do with the reappearance of Reverdy. Is she what she seems? Or is she more concerned with living up to her husband's expectations than with having high expectations of herself and living up to them? Is she a woman of the mind--enough to keep from languishing after public gaiety? And when her husband is called on to make difficult choices, what role will she play in those decisions? These questions and many more about what the war will bring to the Kenrick family, to John Proudfoot, to Jack and Etain, to Danvers and his ilk...my mind is whirling with them. P.S. Let me add my appreciation to that of the other reviewers for the book's cover art...it's beautiful.

The Beginning of the End

This fifth of the six volume series that is already a timeless classic for the ages, leaves the reader eager for more. This volume takes the characters from the historic Virginia Resolves opposing the Stamp act described in Volume 4 through the heroic resistance to the Stamp Act by the Sons of Liberty and the British political intriques leading to the expedient repeal of the Stamp Act and simultaneous bullheaded passage of the Declaratory Act. This series, and this volume in particular, does a wonderful job of detailing the incredible obstacles to, and the glorious achievement of the American Revolution. The beauty of this Sparrowhawk volume and, indeed the entire series, is the illustration of how ideas have consequences and the power of principles in predicting reality and guiding heroic men's actions. This volume shows the evolution of thought on the part of the colonists from formulation of arguments designed to specifically attack the Stamp Act to a deeper realization of the requirement that the protection of liberty in America will require complete separation from Britain. By showing that the repeal of the Stamp Act was purely a pragmatic gesture on the part of the British, and contrasting it with the Declaratory Act's declaration of absolute power over the lives of Americans, Cline clearly shows why the Stamp Act battle is a short lived victory, and simply the "beginning of the end" of the domination of the British over America.

Historical Fiction at its Best

The fifth volume of Edward Cline's Sparrowhawk series in now available. I received my copy last week. It is a handsome hardback and a rare treat for me, since I live on a paperback or used book budget. Revolution picks up right were Book IV: Empire left off, with the debates surrounding the repeal of the Stamp Act. The novel's action takes place in Virginia and London. In Virginia the patriots are working to keep the hated stamps from entering the colony, even if that means using force against British colonial authority. The patriots also have to keep an watch on local "moderates" who will sell out Virginian liberty for peace and quiet. For most of those in the British Parliament, liberty is not an issue. The primary concern is the cost in both trade and of military force of enforcing the Act. The rare exception is the circle of MPs revolving around the Baron Kenrick. Kenrick's son Hugh is also a patriot leader in Virginia. While Hugh is leading the local Sons of Liberty, Dogmael Jones is the only MP who will uphold colonial liberty in Parliament. Cline's portrayal of the debate in Parliament is based on a wealth of research. It is also, to my knowledge, the only example of the 18th century Parliament being presented in fiction. As Cline makes clear the shortsighted ministers, with the Declaratory Act, are only putting off the reckoning for a short time. In the next, and last, installment of the Sparrowhawk epic Book VI: War Cline will have to resolve the potential differences between his two main protagonists, Hugh Kenrick and Jack Frake, and tie together the various sub-plots. I'm eagerly awaiting the last volume of this masterful series of historical novels that honors the architects of our liberty.