Bernard Cornwell’s action-packed series that captures the gritty texture of Napoleonic warfare–now beautifully repackagedIt’s 1809, and Napoleon’s army is sweeping across Spain. Lieutenant Richard Sharpe is newly in command of the demoralized, distrustful men of the 95th Rifles. He must lead them to safety–and the only way of escape is a treacherous trek through the enemy-infested mountains of … enemy-infested mountains of Spain.
more
Exceptionally well researched! Accurately deescreiptive. Feels like you could actually be there – scared and sweating – and happy to be in a green uniform instead of a red one! Five on a scale of five.
The Sharpe novels are formulaic and predictable in outcome, with the protagonist prevailing in the end. Nevertheless, they are interesting, well-plotted, easy to read and entertaining.
Love the entire series.
Excellent characters and well written historical novel.
Another great Sharpe book. Start at the beginning and take a journey with this great character!
I loved the entire series.
This book was my introduction to Mr Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe, one of my favorite characters, whom I followed for about 20 books in this series. There was a TV series about him, years ago. It didn’t stir my blood like the books, though. I hope you have as much fun with this as I did.
Great historical fiction, have read the whole series and would recommend it. Bernard Cornwell never disappoints.
I suspect many readers will like the combat actions during the Napoleonic War. I found the passages on how a newly commissioned Richard Sharpe gained the respect and command presence over a group om soldiers who were, until recently, his peers. Any soldier who has been promoted to NCO or commissioned and then has to command a group of soldiers who were his/her pals will immediately recognize the problem. A great read.
Sharpe’s Rifles is part of series of novels written by Bernard Cornwell about the realistic and compelling participation of Richard Sharpe in the Napolionic wars. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifleman for more details about Rifleman.
A favorite series. Chronologically the first in the series.
THE John Wayne type hero.
Another winner in the Sharpe series. Full of historical notes, no stretches of the the imagination to move the story forward and an all-round believable Hero! I will admit that he has very bad luck in choosing women, though.
A great series about the Napoleonic wars and the British rifles. Gritty action and realistic to the horror of war. Great story building and easy to get immersed in.
This is a great series
I’ve read all of Cornwell’s Sharpe’s novels and recommend them all.
Bernard Cornwell, in my opinion, has only one peer, Patrick O’Brian. I would give up any 10 books in my library for one of theirs.
Great story and historically accurate.
Beginning of the Richard Sharpe series in the Peninsula. Well-worth reading.
Bernard Cornwell is generally considered to be one of the best, if not the best, writers of historical fiction active today, and the Richard Sharpe series was his first big success (helped along by the BBC production of the Sharpe saga based on the books.) In an era when officers in the British army purchased their commissions, and came from the nobility and gentry of the nation, Richard Sharpe is the exception. He was born in the rookeries of London, one of the thousands of British lower class males who were given the choice between the army and the hangman. Sharpe enlists and finds that he has a talent for fighting his country’s enemies (and a few of his personal enemies as well.) He rises to the rank of sergeant which is generally recognized as the limit to how high he can go in the Army of the turn of the 19th century. A few men from the ranks have received commissions, but that is extremely rare. Sharpe uses his talent for fighting and for survival to save the life of his commander, Sir Arthur Wellesly, who is destined to become the Duke of Wellington, while serving in India. As an expression of gratitude to Sharpe, Sir Arthur promotes Sharpe to ensign the lowest rank of officer. We learn all of this in flashback as Sharpe’s Rifles takes place in Spain as both Sharpe and Sir Arthur are part of the British army fighting the French in the Peninsula War. Sharpe has been assigned to the 95th Rifles, a sort of experimental unit which, as its name suggests is armed with rifles and not smooth bore muskets like the bulk of the army. Sharpe is given the job of quartermaster responible for the supplies, but fate has other ideas. During a disastrous retreat, all of the other officers of Sharpe’s company become casualties leaving Sharpe as the only officer who takes command by virtue of his new rank. He must whip this unit of misfits into a fighting unit, but first he must gain the confidence and respect of the men, including the large presence of Private Harper, a belligerent Irishman with a reputation of a trouble-maker. Of course, Sharpe prevails using his talents as a fighter and survivor, claiming Harper’s friendship in the process. Through the crucible of battle, Sharpe again proves his worth to Sir Arthur who is “temporarily” persuaded to leave Sharpe in command. As the series progresses, Sharpe and Harper go from one battle to the next, proving time after time to be a value to Wellesley, and Sharpe continues to climb the promotion ladder.
It is in the battle scenes that Cornwell is at his best. No one writes battles better than him. The battles are the highpoint of each of his series of historical fiction. The Sharpe series, in my opinion, is still the best. What better place for the reader new to Bernard Cornwell to start than at the beginning with Sharpe’s Rifles.