Jack Frake has no chance at life. His parents are beaten down and abusive. Uneducated and without hope he faces a life of bitterness and failure. That is until he runs away to a life of hard work in the big city and even better falls into league with the greatest smugglers of the time.

     This is a story of action and adventure in the days preceding the American Revolution. Mr. Cline develops a cast of formidable characters who march boldly across the page painting an excellent picture of the discordance and tempest of the times. The author shows the great disparity between the haves and have nots that produce the compelling force for our break with the king.

     This is the first book in a series on the American revolution. I met Mr. Cline in Willimsburg, Va while on vacation. His stated intention for the series is to show the early lives of the people who make the revolution happen and the forces that act to shape our history. “Sparrowhawk”, which takes place entirely in England, is a good start and a good read. Anyone who is interested in American history and likes a fast paced read will enjoy this book.