Sparrowhawk Book Five: Revolution
This fifth book of six in the series picks up in June of 1765 and follows the debate and turmoil surrounding the Stamp Act until its repeal in March of the following year. Battle lines were drawn on both sides of the Atlantic almost immediately upon the original enactment of the Stamp Act, and the repeal of that act left a trail of bitterness and animosity that would continue to fester.
Jack Frake and Hugh Kenrick continue to run their plantations while working both from within and outside the political system to bring about changes to Parliament’s chokehold on the Colonies. Jack is already convinced nothing short of war will ensure real change, while Hugh hopes that a solution will be found that will bring some political autonomy to the colonies while still preserving the bonds with England.
In-depth study of the turmoil surrounding the Stamp Act can be terribly dry and tedious. But Cline’s uncanny ability to tell a story makes it enjoyable and fast paced. This is the way to study history. This is the way to get a real feel for the emotions and divided loyalties that raged in the pre-Revolution years. U.S. History classes always paint the Revolution with a patriotic brush. There’s never any question whether it was the right thing to do or even consideration of the other side’s point of view. Cline gives us the opportunity to see the events from both sides, to see that the colonies leaving the empire was the modern-day equivalent of Alaska and Hawaii leaving the United States. Readers of his series will be treated to a great story as well as gain a deep insight into the forces that led to the American Revolution.
