Colonel Jack

About this book

Like several of the main characters in Defoe's stories (Captain Singleton, Moll Flanders), Colonel Jacque never really knew his real parents; and he is always looking out for the main chance. His chief interest is commerce, and he becomes an Anglo-Saxon trader. It is the story of his successful trading which probably accounts for the continued popularity of this story throughout history. The following fairly well sums up the story of Colonel Jacque, (and was included on the title-page of earlier printings of this story which was first published in 1722)... "The History and Remarkable Life of the truly Honourable Colonel Jacque, vulgarly called Col. Jack, who was born a Gentleman; put 'Prentice to a Pickpocket; was six and twenty years a Thief, and then kidnapped to Virginia; came back a Merchant; was five times married to four Whores; went into the Wars, behaved bravely, got Preferment, was made Colonel of a Regiment; came over, and fled with the Chevalier, is still abroad Completing a Life of Wonders, and resolves to die a General."