Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 5,323 ratings · 172 reviews

Bernard Cornwell's action-packed series that captures the gritty texture of Napoleonic warfare--now beautifully repackaged It'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 ene...more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published February 1st 2001 by Penguin Books (first published January 1st 1988)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Best Historical Fiction

291st out of 3,151 books — 13,798 voters

Best Historical Fiction Books that Are Actually Historical Fiction

135th out of 725 books — 581 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 26, 2009 Brad rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: napoleonic-era, adventure

I am reading the Sharpe books in chronological order and have just reached Sharpe's Rifles, the first meeting of Lt. Richard Sharpe and his best friend, Sgt. Harper, and I have to admit that the moment doesn't mean all that much to me.

It's crafted to be one of those great moments in fiction, and I suppose it could have been if I had approached Sharpe's Rifles from a different direction. Had I been reading the books in order of publication or even seen the occasional installment of the BBC's Shar...more I am reading the Sharpe books in chronological order and have just reached Sharpe's Rifles, the first meeting of Lt. Richard Sharpe and his best friend, Sgt. Harper, and I have to admit that the moment doesn't mean all that much to me.

It's crafted to be one of those great moments in fiction, and I suppose it could have been if I had approached Sharpe's Rifles from a different direction. Had I been reading the books in order of publication or even seen the occasional installment of the BBC's Sharpe movies, I think I would have been delighted to see the meeting of these men. But reading the books in order gives me no stake in their relationship. I have come to appreciate Sharpe, but I don't know Harper at all and just don't care about how they met yet.

That could change as the series goes on, but I am still not sure it would make a difference as far as their initial meeting is concerned because, as I said, it is "crafted" to be one of those great moments. And I don't know that the series has what it takes to be a "great" series, let alone be important enough for the meeting of its principles to be of serious interest to the literary world at large. Moreover, the crafting of the meeting feels forced in a way that truly great meetings of characters do not. Aubrey and Maturin meeting (a fine example considering their place in the Napoleonic oeuvre), coming as it does in the opening pages of the first book with no need for a prequel, is an organic growth of the story, and its impact is given a chance to grow over the course of Master and Commander with a feeling that anything could happen. And none of that is the case with Sharpe and Harper.

Regardless, Sharpe's Rifles is a decent read, but not one of the best in the series. There are too many inconsistencies with the books that come before, and Sharpe's tendency to fall for every pretty girl above his station (which he has done in ever preceding book, yet this is never mentioned in Sharpe's Rifles) is already becoming tedious.

The battles are rousing, though, and Cornwell always includes something fun and inventive -- like Sharpe's use of caltrops against the French Cavalry -- and Sharpe's brutal efficiency consistently sates the potential bloodlust of Cornwell's readers.

Bernard Cornwell also make sure there are interesting supporting characters. Despite the weakness of Sharpe's meeting with Harper, the Irish Sergeant is a promising partner for Sharpe, and the fiery Blas Vivar, the Spanish Major trying to work a miracle against the French, succeeds in overshadowing everyone in the story. The only complaint in the supporting cast is that every Frenchman is turning into a Napoleonic era Nazi -- too cruel, too dishonourable, too clever and just a little too evil. It will become downright annoying if it continues for the rest of the books, but for now it is merely noteworthy.

Sharpe's Rifles is only worth reading if you're committed to the series, if not you can probably get away with watching this installment on BBC. I have a feeling you won't miss anything of importance.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 20, 2010 Joyce Lagow rated it 5 of 5 stars

#6 in the Richard Sharpe series.[return][return]Two years have passed since the Copenhagen campaign, and in January, 1809, Sharpe finds himself, along wiht about three hundred men of the 95th Rifles, in Galician Spain running for safety, along with the rest of the defeated British army, from the French victory at Corunna. But in the retreat, Sharpe and the Rifles have become cut off from the main part of the army. Far from taking part in the fighting, Sharpe is Quartermaster of the 95th, a menia...more #6 in the Richard Sharpe series.[return][return]Two years have passed since the Copenhagen campaign, and in January, 1809, Sharpe finds himself, along wiht about three hundred men of the 95th Rifles, in Galician Spain running for safety, along with the rest of the defeated British army, from the French victory at Corunna. But in the retreat, Sharpe and the Rifles have become cut off from the main part of the army. Far from taking part in the fighting, Sharpe is Quartermaster of the 95th, a menial and to him, humiliating task. Still, he tries to fulfill his duties, making sure that the men load up on extra powder and shot as they prepare to leave everything behind and run.[return][return]However, before the Rifles can fully recoup in the small village in which they're recovering (mostly by drinking themselves insensible), the French appear in the form of dragoons, cavalry. As a result of the ensuing fight, all the officers die, leaving Sharpe in command of a much reduced band of Rifles who do not accept his authority--he is not a proper officer in their minds, not a "proper gentleman". As Sharpe, keenly aware of the resentment and feeling awkward in his new role as commanding officer, makes plans to lead the men to safety, he is met with rebellion in the ranks. The men designate Rifleman Harper, a big bull of an Irishman, as their "spokesman"--in reality, as Sharpe realizes, to kill him. Sharpe and Harper engage in a fight to the death--which is interrupted, just as Sharpe is about to skewer Harper, by the appearance of a Spanish cavalry officer, Major Blas Vivar and what is left of his company of elite cavalry, the Cazadores.[return][return]Thus begins the strange odyssey of Sharpe and the Rifles as they accompany Major Blas to Santtiago de Compostela, Spain's holiest site, and an impossible mission which results in a suicidal attack on the French.[return][return]This is military action-adventure at its very best. The action is non-stop and the fight/battle scenes are superbly written. As an ardent fan of Patrick O'Brian and the Aubrey/Maturin series, I must say that Sharpe's Rifles is as least as well written as O'Brian's best; the only difference is that Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin evolve into far more complex characters--Sharpe, over 6 books, has not changed much. But he's developed enough to be believable, and devotees of the genre will not even notice the lack.[return][return]highly recommended.(less)

like · see review

Dec 20, 2011 William rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you would like to fight in the Nepoleonic war, and experience what it was like to be a ground pounder on the battle field, read Bernard Cornwell's epic series about the fictional rifleman Richard Sharpe. This novel and it's companion books are full of cannonball, musket, sword play, and the rifle's effectivness in the war from a foot soldier's viewpoint. The Brittish Army of the early 19th century, and the officer corp's prejudice and resentment toward a private who gets promoted to officer r...more

like · see review

Dec 14, 2011 Steve rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction

For me this was a mixed book. I really wanted to like Sharpe, expecting to encounter a land-bound version of Horatio Hornblower or Jack Aubrey. Moreover, I have watched one half of an episode of the television series starring Sean Bean, and Bean made me like Boromir of all people.

My sense is that the problem with Sharpe is the same problem identified by others with much other modern fiction, that it is so intent on characters having fatal flaws that it often flubs making the characters compellin...more For me this was a mixed book. I really wanted to like Sharpe, expecting to encounter a land-bound version of Horatio Hornblower or Jack Aubrey. Moreover, I have watched one half of an episode of the television series starring Sean Bean, and Bean made me like Boromir of all people.

My sense is that the problem with Sharpe is the same problem identified by others with much other modern fiction, that it is so intent on characters having fatal flaws that it often flubs making the characters compelling.

Rick at the blog Rocketpunk Manifesto has argued there is a distinction between literary fiction and romance these days (See post "A Genre With No Name"). Romance does not mean "guy and girl" but rather, as seen in Rick's citation from Debra Doyle:

"a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious"

Making the character "perfect" is of course a direct road to boredom. But making the characters too beholden to their fatal flaw makes them both unpleasant and dull. The character must have features that redeem them in some way, particularly in romantic and heroic stories. The brilliance of the Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin pairing is that while Stephen is a classic tortured psychological character in many ways, his skills as a surgeon, his hopelessly landlubber nature, and his friendship with Jack Aubrey redeem him from being a bore. O'Brian was able to put real warmth into the friendship between Stephen and Jack, it is not an act, these characters clearly care for each other.

Sharpe has so much potential in this book, but most of the time I spend just being annoyed with him. His personality flaws make him unpleasant to be with but not until later in the book does he demonstrate his better qualities. Forester made Hornblower much more noble, although vulnerable, which helps with a single protagonist. Having two, such as in O'Brian, is more complicated but grants some more literary leeway.

In terms of the rest of the story, the setting, plot, and so on, the book is acceptable. It is more on the C.S. Forester end than the Patrick O'Brian end, meaning more impressionistic than detailed.

I plan to read the next two books at least, and if things improve, I will read the series. If they do not, I won't.(less)

like · see review

Oct 02, 2011 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jan 29, 2011 Tristax rated it 2 of 5 stars

If you've decided to read this series in chronological order, as I did, feel free to read on. If your reading in order of publication, be warned there are some spoilers.

The books leading up to Sharpe's Rifles were all written and published much later, still I don't feel it excuses the inconsistencies encountered when reading in chronological order. The Richard Sharpe in Sharpe's Rifles is nothing like the Sharpe from the previous books covering India, Trafalgar and Denmark. He's such a differen...more If you've decided to read this series in chronological order, as I did, feel free to read on. If your reading in order of publication, be warned there are some spoilers.

The books leading up to Sharpe's Rifles were all written and published much later, still I don't feel it excuses the inconsistencies encountered when reading in chronological order. The Richard Sharpe in Sharpe's Rifles is nothing like the Sharpe from the previous books covering India, Trafalgar and Denmark. He's such a different character that I had a hard time even getting into this episode. Aside from the inconsistencies of character, there are glaring plot contradictions.

Throughout the previous books, references to past actions and acquaintances were made, giving the feeling of cohesion. Given that those books were written after this one, it's understandable that such references couldn't be included. What I don't understand is why Cornwell included things in those books that would directly contradict things in Sharpe's Rifles. Why Sharpe was written so much more maturely when in Sharpe's Rifles he's no where near the man he was as recently as Denmark.

The contradictions are numerous but to name a few; In Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe mentions his time as a Sergeant and having command over a company of Red Coats. Whereas he never actually served over men as a Sergeant. His entire time as a Sergeant was spent in the Seringapatam armory, side missions with Colonel McCandless and as an impromptu aid to Wellesley. He mentions never being married, whereas he was married to Grace. While talking to Louise in this book, it's said he's never talked to a woman so educated, which again contradicts his time with Grace. He commanded a company of Green Jackets in a small skirmish in Denmark but in this book, he's been a quartermaster the entire time. The list goes on.

I could deal with the contradictions, it's the drastic change in Sharpe's personality that ruined this book for me. When he was part of the raid on Gawilghur, he lead with confidence. Giving the men of the King's 33rd a speech before the assault, taking charge when things broke down, then leading a broken company of men after going over the wall. From the very first book when he was a private with Lawford, Sharpe never had confidence issues. He struggled with what he wanted out of life but he was a natural leader. In this book however, Sharpe comes off as douche actually. Brandishing fear over his men like a man on a power trip. He acts as if he's never lead men, when in each of the previous installments he did just that and did so with ease. It's not until then end that we a slight resemblance towards the previous Sharpe.

It's my opinion that by the time Cornwell had written the prequels, Sharpe's ending personality was too ingrained in him for him to write Sharpe the way he would have needed to in order to match his earlier works. I can only hope that as the series progresses, the Sharpe I had grown to love will come back in all his glory.

The other negative of this book is that unlike the books that came before (chronologically), it's not based on a real battle, not even close. This is a departure from what readers have come to expect and the premise of the book comes off hollow and lacking because of it.

From what I've read, the main draw of the book (for those that read it in publication order) was the meeting of Harper and Sharpe. While this may have made the book worthwhile for those readers, for those of us that don't know Harper yet, it's rather meaningless. Harper is a decent character but he doesn't have the draw of a Captain Chase or a Colonel McCandless or even a Sir David Baird for that matter. Perhaps in time, Harper will outshine all of those but it's a weak introduction compared with past characters to cross Sharpe's path.

Easily the worst book of the series so far and and a complete disappointment. (less)

like · see review

Jan 26, 2011 Dick Edwards rated it 3 of 5 stars

The French took Madrid in December 1808. The object in the strongbox is unknown. Major Vivar (Spanish) has left Madrid just one hour after the French arrived. He goes north into the mountains in the dead of winter. He is high in the mountains, but can see the French through a telescope. The Spanish King was a prisoner in France, and the brother of Napoleon was enthroned in Madrid. The British are allies of the Spanish, but only because they share a common enemy: Napoleon. The Spanish have almost...more The French took Madrid in December 1808. The object in the strongbox is unknown. Major Vivar (Spanish) has left Madrid just one hour after the French arrived. He goes north into the mountains in the dead of winter. He is high in the mountains, but can see the French through a telescope. The Spanish King was a prisoner in France, and the brother of Napoleon was enthroned in Madrid. The British are allies of the Spanish, but only because they share a common enemy: Napoleon. The Spanish have almost as much contempt for the British as they do for the French. The French are portrayed as committing almost all of the atrocities of this war. Sharpe was a sergeant who was promoted to Lt. on the battlefield, where he displayed great heroism. Vivar and his Spanish troops catch up to Sharpe and his troops. Sharpe has ordered his troops to march to Lisbon, where he thinks the main body of the English are. But his men, led by Pvt. Harper, and Irishman, want to march to the NE coast and catch a British ship home. Sharpe has to beat Harper in a fistfight to convince his men to obey him. Sharpe and Vivar march together, and finally attack Santiago de Compotela, a sort of holy city which the French hold. Vivar finally opens the box and shows Sharpe and the rest what is inside. It is a banner, which holds much historical significance. Meanwhile, Sharpe’s army has come across a family, the Parkers. It is a man and a woman and their daughter Louisa, with whom Sharpe falls in love. Louisa’s parents are taken by the French, but Louisa is still with Sharpe. In the night, Vivar lets Louisa go to the French side to be with her parents. Sharpe is alarmed because he thinks the French will kill Louisa. The Brit/Spanish force takes Santiago. Sharpe finds Louisa. He has asked her to marry him, but she says she will instead marry Don Blas Vivar. The French re-attack Santiago, and the Brits/Spanish defeat them again. Sharpe says goodbye to Louisa, and he and Harper march off to Talavera, presumably the scene of the next book in the series.(less)

like · see review

Jan 16, 2011 Graham rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 19th-century, napoleonic-war, historical

This was a precursor to the original Sharpe series, which will be of interest to fans as it properly introduces the various characters of his Rifles – Dodd, Hagman et al – and, of course, Sharpe’s right-hand, the immensely popular Harper.

Things aren’t all plain sailing, however, and the opening half of this book is fantastic at putting across the dissension and outright mutiny felt by the cut-off Rifles, who neither understand or want to follow Sharpe. As a result, Cornwell’s hero becomes ever...more

like · see review

Dec 29, 2010 Justus rated it 3 of 5 stars

When you see one of these popular quasi-trashy series that have a million books written in non-chronological order I think you're always bound to be somewhat disappointed when you tackle them. Do you go in order of publication? That's what makes the most sense, I think. Yet Cornwell himself says to read them in chronological order. Not that his viewpoint has any special merit, all he did is write them and authors are far from the best judge of their works.

Over the years a number of people have a...more When you see one of these popular quasi-trashy series that have a million books written in non-chronological order I think you're always bound to be somewhat disappointed when you tackle them. Do you go in order of publication? That's what makes the most sense, I think. Yet Cornwell himself says to read them in chronological order. Not that his viewpoint has any special merit, all he did is write them and authors are far from the best judge of their works.

Over the years a number of people have asked this same question of the Sharpe books and my googling turned up several answers. The one I ended up going with was, "Read them in chronological order but skip straight to the Peninsular War stuff with Sharpe's Rifles."

I liked Sharpe's Rifles but I have a feeling that many of those warm fuzzy feelings are due to the novelty of the setting rather than much intrinsic merit. Since I've not read any of the other Sharpe books I don't have much basis for judgment as to whether this is better or worse than average for the series. It was, however, an enjoyable little adventure.

Sharpe is definitely in the Horatio Hornblower mold: superbly talented but plagued by self-doubt. At least that's how he's supposed to be. Sharpe's "self-doubt" in this book came across more as "totally reasonable doubts about a fucking insane plan". Because having doubts about assaulting a town of 2,000 French troops with 200 soldiers (and 300 peasant rabble) is a sign of self-doubt how?

Where Hornblower has his limitations -- he's a brilliant ship's captain but aware that the crew are better at their tasks -- Sharpe is more of a modern Hollywood hero and seems to be good at everything. Not only is he awesome with a rifle but also the sword; not only a good sergeant but a good lieutenant; not just a good soldier but a good leader; not just a good warrior but a good tactician. That's fair enough, it's part of the adventure novel genre, but I did slightly miss Hornblower's flaws.

Sharpe clearly has a bit of history by this point in his literary career. I enjoyed those little asides without explanation. They felt like the kind of real world detail an actual person with 15-years of military experience would have. No flashbacks to India, just a bare statement of fact.

The most grating part of the novel is the way he fell instantly in love with The Girl. They only appeared to speak together two or three times and he's already planning marriage. I don't he had even held her hand prior to proposing. Other reviews I've read suggest that this is a common theme in the books; I'm not looking forward to future incarnations if that's the case.

One last comment: there is a weird ellipsis in the final action. The final battle is about to start and then everything jumps forward several hours, Hornblower hurt his foot somewhere, the Riflemen are cut off and about to make their Last Stand, the Spanish Major is nowhere to be found, The Girl is for unknown reasons with the Riflemen. WTF is going on? I seriously though that one (or more) chapters had been ripped out of the book. I went back and checked...I was on Chapter 17. The previous chapter was 16. Was the author getting tired of writing? Was this an attempt to compress the action to its best bits? If so, it was handled artlessly and let me very disoriented and confused.(less)

like · see review

Mar 12, 2013 Jim rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, historical, fiction

More of a 2.5, but definitely my least favorite of the series so far. I didn't care for the reader, Fredrick Davidson, which didn't help. While he was tolerable, his Spanish voices were very low, gravelly, & almost unintelligible at times, while all his Irish voices were very high & lilting. Since one of the Irishmen was a really big, tough sergeant, the high voice didn't fit my image of a red haired Lee Marvin well.

Sharpe wasn't shown in a very good light for most of the book & the...more

7 likes · like · see review

Nov 08, 2012 Evan B rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sharpe's Rifles is an exciting historical fiction novel that tells about a small unit of riflemen during the war between the French and the British in the early 19th century. The British are losing the war at this point and are retreating from the French and Spanish territory as the French advance. The British rifle battalion was led by Cpt. Murray, but he dies briefly in the story after the French split the battalion and leaves Lt. Sharpe in command of the rest of the rifles. His plan was to mo...more

like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Bjoern rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, alternate-history, historical-fiction, military, sharpe-s-rifles

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Mar 26, 2010 Joseph rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: napoleonic, military-fiction

Although this is now listed as Book #6 in the series, I believe that it was one of the first published. It is certainly one of the first ones that I read in the series, and it is the one that got me hooked.

Sharpe is an officer promoted from the ranks in the Napoleonic campaigns. The first dozen or so books published dealt with the Penninsular campaign through Waterloo, with a few brief excursions. Sharpe and his compatriots fight their way through historical battles and hypothetical situations t...more

like · see review

Dec 22, 2008 Linda Banche rated it 5 of 5 stars

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, Sharpe's Rifles is the story of soldier Richard Sharpe. War stories, full as they are of blood and guts, are not exactly my cup of tea. But Sharpe's Rifles is also a rousing adventure story, with plot twists that take you straight to the end, loads of descriptions, and even a bit of romance. Highly researched, the book is chock-full of historical detail, which I love, since it puts you right into the period.

But the best part is the self-doubting Sharpe, soldier ex...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 06, 2013 Dark-Draco rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure-fiction, favorites, historic-fiction

This was the original first book of the series, but now there are a lot of stories set in Sharpe's earlier life. In this one, Sharpe struggles with being an officer. He's supposed to be a simple Quartermaster, but would rather be fighting. The officers don't like him and the men don't trust him. When the defeated English army retreat across Portugal, Sharpe and a few of the rifles are cut off. Surrounded by enemy troops, he has to accept the help of Major Blas Vivar, a Spanish cavalry officer wh...more

like · see review

Feb 19, 2012 Migdalia rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of historical fiction and tales of gallantry

This book tells the story of Sharpe's first command with the Rifles in Spain, recounting the retreat to Corunna. Sharpe's battalion, acting as rearguard to the army, are cut down by a squadron of French regular cavalry and they are cut off from their main unit. From then on the story follows the small band of surviving riflemen as they try to escape to Portugal and regroup with the British forces. However, they are interrupted in their journey and diverted by a Spanish Major, Don Blas Vivar who...more

like · see review

Sep 12, 2011 Phil rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm reading all the Sharpe novels in chronological order which presents the possibility for some interesting contrast when the difference in publication date is fairly long. Sharpe's rifles has a publication date of 1988 whereas the preceding novel, Sharpe's Prey, was published in 2001. Although the writing is fairly similar, there is a noticeable difference in Sharpe's personality. In Sharpe's Rifles he seems to wallow in much more self pity and certainly lacks the heroic can do no wrong charis...more

like · see review

Oct 07, 2011 S.A. Bolich rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really excellent series of books with a characters who is just fun to watch in action. Sharpe, son of a whore and an unknown father, is a total fish out of water in the snooty British officer corps during the Napoleonic wars. It makes him tough and wary and determined. He refuses to fail, absolutely refuses. Tough mission? He'll get it done, and if he should get killed doing it he would probably come back from Hell to finish the job. A sucker when it comes to women, he is forever in trouble for...more

like · see review

Mar 16, 2012 Tim Weed rated it 4 of 5 stars

At least Patrick O’Brian had the good sense to stay away from female characters for the most part. Cornwell makes the mistake of trying to write them, and the results are (so to speak) not pretty. His women are caricatures or automatons, drifting from one motivation to the next at the behest of the plot, without any sense of internal logic of their own.

I can tell this book is an early effort, because I can see myself in it. He doesn’t quite have control of his characters, which has been a bugbe...more

like · see review

Dec 15, 2011 Alan rated it 3 of 5 stars

A December tradition (missed only a couple of times) the past several years has been to read a historical novel. This started with the gift of four first edition Hornblower novels, and this year I decided to read the first of the Sharpe books.

Like many people my first exposure to Sharpe was the movies that ran on my local PBS station. The differences between Cornwell and Sean Bean's Sharpe are rather dramatic. In the book Sharpe is riven with doubt, and not just because of the British defeats in...more

like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 Baseni rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historische-romane

"Galicien, Winter 1809, die französischen Truppen sind übermächtig, das britischen Expeditionsheer befindet sich auf dem Rückzug, eigentlich mehr auf der Flucht. Ihr Ziel ist La Coruña im Nordwesten Spaniens. Das 95th Rifles Regiment soll mit anderen diesen Rückzug decken, dies gelingt aber nur unter Verlusten, Sharp wird mit einer Kompanie abgeschnitten. Sein Plan, nach Süden Richtung Lissabon zu marschieren, wird durch einen spanischen Major durchkreuzt. Dieser hat einen wertvollen Transport n...more

like · see review

Jun 02, 2010 Tom rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, bernard-cornwell

Sharpe learns to be a officer. He has up to this point been bitter with the Rifles and they have not respected his love for and knowledge of battle. Totally by accident he becomes the ranking officer stuck behind enemy lines in Northern Spain. Seperated from the resst of the army, Sharpe and his remaining 50 rifles try to make it through to the British garrison in Lisbon. Along the way Sharpe decides to join forces with a Spanish Major in his struggle to provide hope for Spain against Napolean's...more

like · see review

Apr 23, 2012 Chris rated it 3 of 5 stars

I wish there was a 3.5 star option for this book. Although it's the sixth book in the series by chronology, it was written some ten years before any of the preceding novels. The Richard Sharpe detailed here is quite different than the Sharpe we've been reading about. Although still a renowned warrior, he lacks the confidence and bravado of his earlier self. Many of the elements that are common in the previous tales make their appearance, Sharpe's frustration with his social rank, his difficultie...more

like · see review

Feb 05, 2012 Ensiform rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, war, historical

A story of one of Sharpe’s early commands in the Rifles. In Spain, 1809, he falls in with one count Blas Vivar, and is persuaded to help Vivar take the sacred gonfalon of Santiago to a fortified city, in order to rally the people. Meanwhile, Sharpe has reluctantly enlisted the help of the equally reluctant Irishman, Harper, to help him win the respect of his own men.

This is a fine Sharpe book, with all the usual detail to battle and military code. The basic premise is a bit wobbly --- would a Br...more

like · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Algernon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

One of the best books so far in the series. The superhero excesses from the Indian campaigns have been tempered and Richard Sharpe is caught in a more convincing posture as a freshman officer recently promoted from the ranks and struggling to impose his authority on a band of recalcitrant soldiers. His encounter with Harper is memorable and I look forward to further interaction between the two personalities. As usual, there is a romance element in the novel, and this too has been treated in a mo...more

like · see review

Nov 16, 2012 Tyler rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Excellent battle scenes. In my opinion Cornwell does even better with this Napoleonic era combat than he did with the great shield wall battle scenes that I loved in the Saxon Tales.

I like Richard Sharpe. Having him be a jumped-up enlisted man creates great conflict because the regular highborn officers don't like him and the regular enlisted man don't either. It puts him in a really challenging position where he has to prove himself to everyone, including himself.

I really enjoyed this book and...more

like · see review

Jan 02, 2011 Coy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Coy by: Angela

This series is sort of like one long book. One book is much like the rest though some of the villans and heroes do vary and Sharpe himself does grow. That keeps them interesting. They have all been good so far. It's like a weekly TV series. I guess there is one though I haven't seen it. I've read these up to now in quick order over Christmas vacation. Sharpe has kept me company on trains, in planes, but not automobiles yet because I'm either driving or the drive is too short to break out a novel...more

like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Marc Haddock rated it 5 of 5 stars

I first met Richard Cornwell's books when I read his Arthurian series, and I've yet to read one of his books I didn't enjoy. I am working my way through the Sharpe series in chronological order and have enjoyed every one.

This book was written late in the series to provide an introduction to Sharpe and his Rifles, mainly to explain the relationship Sharpe forges here with his men and his brilliant Irish sergeant. It is great fun. The battle scenes are written with clarity and a great feel for act...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 13, 2010 Eric rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first written in the Sharpe Series but now # 6 chronologically. It's the 1st one I've read. The first half reminded me of a Benny Hill chase skit with Yakety Sax playing if it had been directed by Ridley Scott. The latter half reminded me of Saving Private Ryan set during the Napoleonic Wars.

I've never cared much for this period of history but since I started reading it I've Gooogled Napoleonic stuff constantly, have 3 library books I was using for background, and am listening to th...more

like · see review

Jul 31, 2011 Les rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sharpe's unit has to cover the British army's retreat in Spain, but they're cut off and all the officers are dead except for Sharpe. The men with him don't care for him for a variety of reasons, one of which is that he rose from the ranks. Throughout, he has to fight his lack of confidence from not being born an officer. He joins up with a small Spanish force where the Major in charge wants to bring back a miracle so they capture Santiago de Compostela to invoke the aid of a dead saint who helpe...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (37)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

308 users

Adventure

31 users

War

19 users

Action

9 users

European Literature > British Literature

6 users

Novels

4 users

War > Military

3 users

Literature > 19th Century

3 users

Adult Fiction

2 users

Literature

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Bernard Cornwell

Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Cornwe...more Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Cornwell.

Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times, but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.

He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a Green Card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.

As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find that there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.

Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel Sharpe's Company published in 1982.

Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) He also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British, in 1987.

After publishing 8 books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987 and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.

A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and a political thriller called Scoundrel in 1992.

In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.

Cornwell's latest work is titled Azincourt and was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.(less)

More about Bernard Cornwell...

Books by Bernard Cornwell

The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories, #1)

The Winter King (The Warlord Chronicles, #1)

Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories, #3)

The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories, #2)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Sharpe's Rifles

1 trivia question
2 quizzes

More quizzes & trivia...

title link	preview: Sharpe's Rifles
avg rating	preview: Sharpe's Rifles Goodreads rating: 4.15 (5323 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/360562.Sharpe_s_Rifles?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309284672l/360562.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/360562.Sharpe_s_Rifles?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Sharpe's Rifles by Bernard Cornwell[/url]

Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website