The Spread Eagle and Other Stories

In this quirky collection the narrator opens with the fanciful misadventures of Fitzhugh Williams, a boy whisked across Europe by well‑meaning parents who want him to be “the perfect American.” Through lavish summer homes on the French Riviera, Swiss ski hills, and the polished salons of aristocratic dukes, he discovers the absurdities of a life lived for appearances, all while yearning for the simple, brash freedom hinted at by the distant sight of Long Island’s lighthouse. The prose blends gentle satire with vivid, period detail, giving listeners a taste of both the gilded expatriate world and the restless American spirit beneath it.

The remaining stories branch out in tone and setting, ranging from a tongue‑in‑cheek courtroom farce to a desert‑scented tale that nods to Arabian Nights, and a breezy house‑party that doubles as a wry commentary on idle talk. Each piece offers a brief, self‑contained adventure, inviting the ear to wander through humor, nostalgia, and the occasional poignant reflection on identity.