From New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, the first exciting adventure in the world-renowned Sharpe series, chronicling the rise of Richard Sharpe, a Private in His Majesty’s Army at the siege of Seringapatam. “The greatest writer of historical adventures today.” —Washington PostRichard Sharpe. Soldier, hero, rogue—the man you always want on your side. Born in poverty, he joined …
—Washington Post
Richard Sharpe. Soldier, hero, rogue—the man you always want on your side. Born in poverty, he joined the army to escape jail and climbed the ranks by sheer brutal courage. He knows no other family than the regiment of the 95th Rifles, whose green jacket he proudly wears.
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Cornwell’s first iteration of the Sharpe series introduces us to the famed protagonist, but believe it or not, this was actually released AFTER Sharpe had blown up (not literally!) and brought so many eyes to the Napoleonic Wars. It is technically a prequel, of sorts, but it certainly reads as though Cornwell planned it all along. A great place to …
Sharp as a young man in India. Great story of heroism and courage..
One of my favorite series. If you’ve not read it, you should.
The legend begins…with a bang. Lots of bangs, in fact. The action starts on the first page and just keeps going, with detailed descriptions of both the battles and the brutality that was life in the last year of the 18th century. The character development is excellent, the plotting tight, and the humor dry. A fine beginning to the epic series …
I’ve read everything Bernard Cornwell has written starting with the Sharpe series. Verying entertaining and loved the peak into history I hadn’t experienced before.
As I’ve said before, the Richard Sharpe series is great for fans of historical fiction in general, and the British Raj specifically.
The entire Sharpe series is great and this book is one part of the whole story. A great way to read and learn history along with a little fiction.
Loved it, especially Richard Sharpe!
The Sharpe novels are all entertaining, and you learn some history while reading them, There does seem to be some formula to the novels, and this is no exception, showing Sharpe in his early days in India before becoming an officer, and without Harper, but sensing exactly what to do at the best time and being a bit superhuman– but the book is an …
This a gritty realistic story about a largely unknown war for Americans. It’s historically accurate fiction that will have you entralled. Characters are flawed, but the heros are noble. You’ll want to read the whole series when you’re done with this one.
As a young man I loved the books of George MacDonald Fraser’s Flashman. Flashman is a rouge and scoundrel that always seems to come out on top. The book starts in India in the 1800’s. In this way and many others The Sharpe series parallels Flashman. First and foremost both series are well researched and most of the major historical events in …
I read so many books and get half way through and just quit so I went back to Bernard Cornwell where you can’t go wrong. I am on the second book in the Sharpe series.
I love well written and researched historical fiction. War is a terrifying, nasty, violent, bloody, heartless, dirty, and often boring, business, mostly conducted in uncomfortable, unhealthy, nasty and dirty conditions. If the characters are fighting men (or if taking place in this century, women), it needs to be portrayed that way if it’s to be …