“Apart from the rousing battle scenes, the author is as his best in evoking a long-gone era through clever detail.”–The New York Times Book Review A corrupt political enemy is determined to disband the South Essex Regiment — and to destroy Major Richard Sharpe. Sharpe returns to England and discovers an illegal recruiting ring that sells soldiers like cattle to other divisions. The ringleaders … divisions. The ringleaders know Sharpe is on their trail, and they try to kill him at every turn. But Sharpe is fighting for his command, and as he moves from the dark slums of London to the highest courts of political power, Sharpe will risk charges of treason and death for a final chance at revenge.
“A ripping yarn.”–The Washington Post
“Consistently exciting . . . these are wonderful novels.”–Stephen King
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The Sharp novels are an amazing tour de force through the British forces fighting Napolean in Spain. Excellent research and amazing writing propel the story along.
Cornwall continues his historical review of the Napoleonic Wars in Spain, and the disruption it caused in Britain. Sharp returns to Essex, his regiments home, where he discovers his reserve battalion is missing. Sharp is a natural leader of soldiers in the field, but unprepared for dealing the the lords and gentry who rule in the War Office. As he stirs the pot, powerful figures send men to assassinate Sharp. He relies on his old haunts as a lad to help hem survive. He turns the tables to recover his missing battalion and return to the war, as the Duke of Wellington attacks the French homeland.
One of my favorite authors who is also possibly the leader in alternate histories. This series of books deal with a period of history that is rarely covered these days.
Lots of action gripping story and historically correct. It’s a good and exciting series of books.
A great book, you’ll want to follow these characters though out the entire series!
The Sharps adventures are always interesting to read. Some history, some drama. Recommended for anyone who cares for military history
I thought it had a great story. I have told others about this one, and others in the series. I have them all two times thought the years
I look forward to reading everything by this author! His characters are real, his story are fast paced!
Very realistic, well researched, and the maps are very detailed so a person can understand what happened and why. Great fictional history about the Napoleonic Wars
Another of Bernard Cornwell’s extremely well written adventure stories. As is usual in this series, Sharpe gets himself into an almost inextricable situation and then manages a fortuitous escape at the very end!
Bernard Cornwell does a great job in giving you details of war & life in the Napoleon era, without getting bigger down. Do yourself a favor and read the whole series, beginning in India, you won’t be disappointed.
I have read most of the Sharpe series and find them fun and interesting to read. You can learn a fair amount of history while reading them. Sharpe is a very interesting character who came from nothing and achieved much.
I love the Sharp character and author Cornwall. This adventure does not disappoint. Fast-moving and often tongue-in- cheek, once started it is hard to put down.
I liked the entire series but preferred the section set in Spain during the Napoleon wars. It was a tv series also.
Great world to get lost in.
Cornwell is an excellent author of historical fiction, both the Sharpe series and the Uthred series. I highly recommend both. To get the most out of the series, read them in order. Very good character development in both series. The Sharpe series highlights the inequities of the English class system of the early 1800s. Privilege vs. competence. Lots of military action.
This book is just one in the Richard Sharpe series. These books are THE BEST series I have ever read. Each book is just as good as the one before it. Very satisfying from beginning to end! Read this book! Read them all! You will not be disappointed!!
I recommend this to anyone looking for great historical fiction with strong, believable characters and who likes action developed through great writing.
Cornwall continues his historical review of the Napoleonic Wars in Spain, and the disruption it caused in Britain. Sharp returns to Essex, his regiments home, where he discovers his reserve battalion is missing. Sharp is a natural leader of soldiers in the field, but unprepared for dealing the the lords and gentry who rule in the War Office. As he stirs the pot, powerful figures send men to assassinate Sharp. He relies on his old haunts as a lad to help hem survive. He turns the tables to recover his missing battalion and return to the war, as the Duke of Wellington attacks the French homeland.
Another great read by Bernard Cornwell in the Sharpe Saga; there is an unrealistic element in the story line and how it plays out, but the supporting cast is really well positioned and portrayed. Given a mad king and a shockingly useless Regent, Sharpe is a combination of SGT Fury, Sam Spade and Nero Wolfe…it’s one where I have to recommend this particular series in the Sean Bean-Sharpe saga. Amazingly well done…