In 1809, Napoleon's army is sweeping across Spain. Lieutenant Richard Sharpe is newly in command of the demoralized, distrustful men of the 95th Ri...
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Feb 26, 2009
Brad
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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 th More...
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 th More...
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Apr 20, 2010
Joyce
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#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 men
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Dec 20, 2011
William
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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
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Dec 14, 2011
Steve
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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 charac More...
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 charac More...
Oct 02, 2011
Rebecca
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 29, 2011
Tristax
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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 More...
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 More...
Jan 26, 2011
Dick
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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 hav
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Jan 16, 2011
Graham
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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 b More...
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 b More...
Dec 29, 2010
Justus
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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 peo More...
Over the years a number of peo More...
Mar 26, 2010
Joseph
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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 hypothetic More...
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 hypothetic More...
Dec 22, 2008
Linda
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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, More...
But the best part is the self-doubting Sharpe, More...
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Sep 12, 2011
Phil
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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
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Oct 07, 2011
S.A.
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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 fo
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Dec 15, 2011
Alan
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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 Briti More...
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 Briti More...
Mar 14, 2011
Baseni
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"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 Transp
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Jun 02, 2010
Tom
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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
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Feb 05, 2012
Ensiform
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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 - More...
This is a fine Sharpe book, with all the usual detail to battle and military code. The basic premise is a bit wobbly - More...
Sep 06, 2011
Algernon
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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
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Jan 02, 2011
Coy
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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
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Aug 13, 2010
Eric
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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 More...
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 More...
Jul 31, 2011
Les
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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
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Jul 23, 2010
Gill
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The Sharpe books and TV series had never appealed to me, indeed I generally prefer modern day settings to historical fiction. I recently visited beautiful Galicia (north-west Spain) and my brother suggested this title, being entirely set in the region. It follows Sharpe's exploits as the British army is routed from Iberia by Napoleonic forces in 1809.
There's plenty of graphic, war-is-hell descriptions, and the action is pretty non-stop, making it hard to put down at times. You also l More...
There's plenty of graphic, war-is-hell descriptions, and the action is pretty non-stop, making it hard to put down at times. You also l More...
Aug 11, 2010
Scott
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Doing a re-read of the series, and enjoying it all over again. In this Sharpe meets and does his best to win over Harper and the surviving Riflemen who will follow him in the British war vs Napoleon. The series since has been re-ordered to add all the prequels in, but this is the one I originally started, though Sharpe's Eagle might be the best for those wanting to try but not planning to read the whole series. Great series for the feel of the Peninsular War. I also love how the author explains
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Apr 24, 2010
Richard
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Beware! If you read this book, you will have to go on and read all 23 in the series like I have. I was not even interested in the Napoleonic Wars until I picked this up. I have had to read many of Cornwell's other historical books as well. I have yet to read a turkey. Always exciting and interesting. He has the ability to portray things as they had to have been.
The only reason I picked up the book was that I noticed Stephen King once provided a review for it. You figure if someone c More...
The only reason I picked up the book was that I noticed Stephen King once provided a review for it. You figure if someone c More...
Nov 28, 2011
Nicola-jane
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Sharpe is an interesting individual not quite like Sean Bean in the television series. You see Sharpe's vulnerabilities and his strengths at their best but his infatuation with women is his downfall in my opinion.
I never quite got the romance aspect in this book as they fall in love within ten pages. I assume days away from women leave men like Sharpe yearning to the point they turn to any woman (even one delivering bibles in the middle of wartime Spain).
Sharpe's progressing More...
I never quite got the romance aspect in this book as they fall in love within ten pages. I assume days away from women leave men like Sharpe yearning to the point they turn to any woman (even one delivering bibles in the middle of wartime Spain).
Sharpe's progressing More...
Dec 25, 2010
Jared
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Napoleonic warfare comes to life! This book is the epitome of the "You are there!" style in historical fiction. The action comes fast and often and is always fascinating from an historical perspective as well as a "Oh sh**! How the f*** are they going to get out of this?!" perspective. Sharpe is a great protagonist, not some goody two-shoes but an angry young man coming to terms with the demands of leadership. Clocking in at about 300 pages, this is an easy read and I've
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Apr 28, 2009
Tom
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This is my first real contact with the genre I like to refer to as "Jane Austen for men" and I must say I'm fairly impressed. Good action and real page turner.
History fans like myself tend to think of World War I as the very height of brutality in war. I still think it is. But this template leaves open an assumption that before the maxim gun war was polite, clean, and even fun. This novel reminded me that that clearly wasn't the case. I've started reading the next book in More...
History fans like myself tend to think of World War I as the very height of brutality in war. I still think it is. But this template leaves open an assumption that before the maxim gun war was polite, clean, and even fun. This novel reminded me that that clearly wasn't the case. I've started reading the next book in More...
Jul 19, 2011
John
rated it:
How superb is Sharpe?
I would have him on my side in a bar fight!
I must be honest here - I never really thought that I would go for this sort of historical fiction. This period of history has never been my favourite. A chap I used to work with used to bore me endlessly regarding his escapades as an extra in the Sharpe tv series - so I made a point of never watching it.
I am so glad that I read the books though.
Bernard Cornwell is an excellent writer More...
I would have him on my side in a bar fight!
I must be honest here - I never really thought that I would go for this sort of historical fiction. This period of history has never been my favourite. A chap I used to work with used to bore me endlessly regarding his escapades as an extra in the Sharpe tv series - so I made a point of never watching it.
I am so glad that I read the books though.
Bernard Cornwell is an excellent writer More...
Jun 15, 2011
Bookwormgirl
rated it:
I read this because I loved the Sharpe's Rifles TV movies on PBS. I admit i have not read them in the chronological order. I started with the books covered by the series and keep meaning to go back and read the rest.
This was a great historical novel. The novel was well paced and I really liked the characters. I liked the fact that Sharpe was a Mustang (slang in the US Army for a soldier that rises from the ranks). The additional challenges that fact caused him, enhanced the story.
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This was a great historical novel. The novel was well paced and I really liked the characters. I liked the fact that Sharpe was a Mustang (slang in the US Army for a soldier that rises from the ranks). The additional challenges that fact caused him, enhanced the story.
More...
Nov 09, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
An earlier reading was on 9 Jan 2009. Love the battle, tactics, camaraderie, and the history.
Sixth in the Richard Sharpe military fiction series revolving around Lieutenant Richard Sharpe currently slogging through a very cold Spain in January of 1809 as Quartermaster with the 95th Rifles.
<h2>My Take</h2>
This is a bridge story in which Sharpe struggles with and wins the hearts of the 95th while building new contacts that will aid him in Spain.
< More...
Sixth in the Richard Sharpe military fiction series revolving around Lieutenant Richard Sharpe currently slogging through a very cold Spain in January of 1809 as Quartermaster with the 95th Rifles.
<h2>My Take</h2>
This is a bridge story in which Sharpe struggles with and wins the hearts of the 95th while building new contacts that will aid him in Spain.
< More...
