The History and Remarkable Life of the Truly Honourable Colonel Jacque, Commonly Called Colonel Jack

A lively 18th‑century saga follows the extraordinary life of a man known as Colonel Jack, a figure who slides from the streets of London to the plantations of Virginia. Raised by a kindly foster‑mother after being taken from unknown parents, he learns the art of pick‑pocketing from a seasoned criminal, only to grapple with guilt when his theft harms an innocent. His restless ambition and a lingering sense of gentlemanly honor drive him to seek a better fate beyond the alleys that first shaped him.

The narrative thrusts him into a world of colonial enterprise, daring escapes, and a series of tumultuous marriages that reveal both his opportunism and his yearning for respectability. Along the way he encounters military service, wealth, and the precarious balance between crime and commerce, offering a vivid portrait of an era where fortunes could be made or lost in a single daring move. Readers are drawn into his relentless quest for status, while the story also reflects the broader social currents of 18th‑century England and America.