Edward Cline's Holiday Gift Suggestion

This week, Beatrice pays tribute to MacAdam/Cage by checking in with several of the independent publisher's authors for their holiday gift recommendations. We start with Edward Cline on the eve of the publication of Sparrowhawk: Empire, the fourth book in his historical fiction series set in pre-revolutionary America (a subject which perhaps comes naturally to the Yorktown, Virginia, resident). He is also the author of First Prize and Whisper the Guns. Cline's broken away from the usual recommendation format, offering a whole slew of ideas from which to choose with an eclectic spirit in which perhaps any reader can find some common ground along with avenues for experimentation.

It's not cricket to ask an author to recommend just one book, especially an author who has been immersed in the 18th century for more than a decade. When I come up for air, I turn to several of my favorite leisure titles to relax or refuel for the next bout with the American Revolution. So, in the spirit of rebellion (and the holidays), here is a short list of my recommendations, chosen not only for their literary excellence, but for their ability to towel me down, quench my thirst, encourage me to get in there and win, and propel me back into the ring!

• Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. Never mind the movies, most of which have little or nothing to do with these first rate adventure tales.
  
• Rudyard Kipling’s novels and short stories.
  
• O. Henry’s short stories
  
• The plays of Noel Coward and Terence Rattigan.
  
• Ayn Rand’s novels, plays, and short stories.