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Sharpe #9
Sharpe's Gold
With Wellington outnumbered, the bankrupt army's only hope of avoiding, collapse is a hidden cache of Portuguese gold. Only Captain Richard Sharpe is capable of stealing it—and it means turning against his own men.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
506 people are currently reading
2723 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
537 books19.2k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who 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 birth 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 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.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight 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 Scoundrel, a political thriller, 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, Azincourt, 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.
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 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.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight 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 Scoundrel, a political thriller, 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, Azincourt, 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
December 12, 2014
It's a treasure hunt and everyone's invited!
British army officer Richard Sharpe is sent on a secretive mission in Spain, almost a fool's errand, to obtain rumored gold. This is gold that belongs to the Spanish, but is needed by the British, who certainly don't want it to fall into the hands of the French! Many of the nation's involved in the Napoleonic wars are represented in this ally-vs-ally-vs-enemy-vs-etc book, even the Germans show up for some fun!
Sharpe's Gold is fun and would be considered inconsequential but for Sharpe meeting Teresa Moreno, who would Aside from that, all the gang's here - stalwart friend Sergeant Patrick Harper and wily spy Major Hogan - and there's plenty of intrigue and fighting. Just what you came for!
Bernard Cornwell is often cited for the historical accuracy in this particular series. However, Sharpe's Gold is one of Cornwell's more "inventive" novels. Whereas others in the series rely upon actual history for the backdrop of Sharpe's adventures, Sharpe's Gold is almost entirely fabricated. But who cares? It's a rollicking good time!
British army officer Richard Sharpe is sent on a secretive mission in Spain, almost a fool's errand, to obtain rumored gold. This is gold that belongs to the Spanish, but is needed by the British, who certainly don't want it to fall into the hands of the French! Many of the nation's involved in the Napoleonic wars are represented in this ally-vs-ally-vs-enemy-vs-etc book, even the Germans show up for some fun!
Sharpe's Gold is fun and would be considered inconsequential but for Sharpe meeting Teresa Moreno, who would Aside from that, all the gang's here - stalwart friend Sergeant Patrick Harper and wily spy Major Hogan - and there's plenty of intrigue and fighting. Just what you came for!
Bernard Cornwell is often cited for the historical accuracy in this particular series. However, Sharpe's Gold is one of Cornwell's more "inventive" novels. Whereas others in the series rely upon actual history for the backdrop of Sharpe's adventures, Sharpe's Gold is almost entirely fabricated. But who cares? It's a rollicking good time!
December 5, 2019
To the north, over the hilltops, a bank of cloud was ominous and still on the horizon, but otherwise the sky was arching an untouched blue over the pale grass and rocks. To Sharpe’s eyes there was nothing strange in the landscape. A rock thrush, startled and noisy, flew from the Company’s path, and Sharpe saw Harper smile with enjoyment…
For a while I have resisted the siren call of Bernard Cornwell’s fictional 19th century war hero, Richard Sharpe, a British soldier elevated to Captain after recent success in the Peninsula War - so wonderfully portrayed by actor Sean Bean. But no longer. The year is 1810 and with the war almost certainly lost Wellington, headquartered at Celerico, Portugal, sends Sharpe and his Company across the border to seize gold held in the partisan town of Casatejada in the Extremadura province of Spain.
The words flow off the pages as the Light Infantry takes to the high ground, unforgiving terrain to outflank the advancing French cavalry, enduring exhaustion and the weather, the dull green uniforms of the Company contrasting with those of the Redcoats; lances and bayonets, swords, muskets and rifles - even the rudimentary way the men field strip and clean their weapons is described, while Sharpe displays a genuine affection for (and some irritation) the men under his command.
Daniel Hagman had an uncanny ability to find his way in the darkness. Sharpe often wondered how the old poacher had ever been caught, but he supposed that one night the Cheshireman had drunk too much…
This is warfare at its bloodiest and aside from the soldiers, civilians - young, old, women, even dogs are massacred by the French in their zeal, which makes for confronting reading. Aside from evading the French, Sharpe is up against the Partisan leader El Católico, who is as ruthless as the invaders.
(I had never thought about it before but the word guerillas is of course “little war’. There are interesting alliances: the Polish fighting with the French, a German (King’s) Regiment with the British. George III is in failing health and the following year George IV takes over as Regent).
Bloodshed apart, this is a thrilling story, well-told, with romance between Sharpe and the feisty daughter of a Partisan leader, betrothed to El Católico, as the parties converge on the soon-to-be sieged fortifications of Almeida, Portugal. By Sharpe’s side strides the giant Ulsterman Sgt. Patrick Augustine Harper, who love his birds. I noted: barn owl, nightjar, an exaltation of larks, red kite and rock thrush.
Verdict: definitely a convert.
For a while I have resisted the siren call of Bernard Cornwell’s fictional 19th century war hero, Richard Sharpe, a British soldier elevated to Captain after recent success in the Peninsula War - so wonderfully portrayed by actor Sean Bean. But no longer. The year is 1810 and with the war almost certainly lost Wellington, headquartered at Celerico, Portugal, sends Sharpe and his Company across the border to seize gold held in the partisan town of Casatejada in the Extremadura province of Spain.
The words flow off the pages as the Light Infantry takes to the high ground, unforgiving terrain to outflank the advancing French cavalry, enduring exhaustion and the weather, the dull green uniforms of the Company contrasting with those of the Redcoats; lances and bayonets, swords, muskets and rifles - even the rudimentary way the men field strip and clean their weapons is described, while Sharpe displays a genuine affection for (and some irritation) the men under his command.
Daniel Hagman had an uncanny ability to find his way in the darkness. Sharpe often wondered how the old poacher had ever been caught, but he supposed that one night the Cheshireman had drunk too much…
This is warfare at its bloodiest and aside from the soldiers, civilians - young, old, women, even dogs are massacred by the French in their zeal, which makes for confronting reading. Aside from evading the French, Sharpe is up against the Partisan leader El Católico, who is as ruthless as the invaders.
(I had never thought about it before but the word guerillas is of course “little war’. There are interesting alliances: the Polish fighting with the French, a German (King’s) Regiment with the British. George III is in failing health and the following year George IV takes over as Regent).
Bloodshed apart, this is a thrilling story, well-told, with romance between Sharpe and the feisty daughter of a Partisan leader, betrothed to El Católico, as the parties converge on the soon-to-be sieged fortifications of Almeida, Portugal. By Sharpe’s side strides the giant Ulsterman Sgt. Patrick Augustine Harper, who love his birds. I noted: barn owl, nightjar, an exaltation of larks, red kite and rock thrush.
Verdict: definitely a convert.
August 25, 2018
Number 9 in the Sharpe Series.
I just love the Sharpe series. Real history wrapped up in entertaining fiction.
The real history is the events that happened at Almeida in Portugal 1810.
The British army is struggling to maintain a foothold in Portugal and is running out of money. If the army is to survive it need gold and lots of it. There is a horde of Spanish gold that the British army has heard about and the army decides to help themselves to it. The problem will be getting it from the Spanish.
This is where Captain Richard Sharpe and his small company come in. Sharpe has been given orders to get the gold come what may.
Sharpe has to contend, not only, with the French but also the Spanish guerrillas who won’t give up the gold without a fight.
When Sharpe is on a mission, the only thing that will stop him is death it’s self.
This makes for lots of thrills and spills.
Thoroughly entertaining and informative.
Highly recommended for lover of historical fiction.
I just love the Sharpe series. Real history wrapped up in entertaining fiction.
The real history is the events that happened at Almeida in Portugal 1810.
The British army is struggling to maintain a foothold in Portugal and is running out of money. If the army is to survive it need gold and lots of it. There is a horde of Spanish gold that the British army has heard about and the army decides to help themselves to it. The problem will be getting it from the Spanish.
This is where Captain Richard Sharpe and his small company come in. Sharpe has been given orders to get the gold come what may.
Sharpe has to contend, not only, with the French but also the Spanish guerrillas who won’t give up the gold without a fight.
When Sharpe is on a mission, the only thing that will stop him is death it’s self.
This makes for lots of thrills and spills.
Thoroughly entertaining and informative.
Highly recommended for lover of historical fiction.
August 29, 2025
Войната на Иберийския полуостров продължава с пълна сила. А Шарп е доволен - докато има война, има място и за него в британската армия. Все пак, минало е повече от година, но повишението му в капитан е още непотвърдено от щаба на армията в Лондон. Не е лесно, когато си си спечелил могъщи врагове...
Конфликтът обаче не върви добре за Великобритания и съюзниците ѝ. Новите армии на Наполеон се придвижват бавно, но сигурно към Португалия и всеобщото мнение е, че ще последва бягство или унищожение за противниците му.
Естествено, сър Артър Уесли не е съгласен и геният му е намерил решение, нечувано до момента със своята дързост. Но за да го изпълни, му трябва злато, много злато!
И тогава настъпва часът за Шарп, да е полезен на своя генерал и да спечели войната за него. Ловът за съкровище от испанско злато е открит и никой не може да го спре в преследването му - нито французите, нито испанските партизани, нито собствената му армия!
Защото това е "Златото на Шарп"!
Конфликтът обаче не върви добре за Великобритания и съюзниците ѝ. Новите армии на Наполеон се придвижват бавно, но сигурно към Португалия и всеобщото мнение е, че ще последва бягство или унищожение за противниците му.
Естествено, сър Артър Уесли не е съгласен и геният му е намерил решение, нечувано до момента със своята дързост. Но за да го изпълни, му трябва злато, много злато!
И тогава настъпва часът за Шарп, да е полезен на своя генерал и да спечели войната за него. Ловът за съкровище от испанско злато е открит и никой не може да го спре в преследването му - нито французите, нито испанските партизани, нито собствената му армия!
Защото това е "Златото на Шарп"!
January 18, 2025
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once wrote that of 100 men in battle: there is a man who will lead them through and here we have Richard Sharpe. Sharpe leads his men on a mission to bring gold doubloons back to the Duke of Wellington with a great amount of courage and acumen. What really stood out in the novel was how the French invaders of Spain acted like US forces in the Vietnam war in regard to fighting insurgents. French soldiers facing guerillas that blended into the civilian population began destroying villages as a means of pacification. A Vietnam veteran on a You Tube video pointed out how this type of policy was a major recruiting incentive for the Viet Cong. I am not a military historian but this may have contributed to Napoleon's defeat in Spain. Not that Sharpe and the British were angels either as they blew up a church as part of the plan to get the gold desperately needed to help finance the war effort. Richard Sharpe was not a sociopathic hero because he lamented the deaths caused by the explosion done in the line of duty.
January 24, 2021
Sharpe is given a secret mission to transport some gold from one place to another. Of course, where there's gold, there's greed, and it seems everybody and their brother wants a piece of the gold. The French, the Spanish, guerilla leaders, mercenaries, all want a piece.
Sharpe first has to find the gold, and that isn't easy itself. Then he has to take it to the extraction point.
Very good, but it really reads like a western.
Sharpe first has to find the gold, and that isn't easy itself. Then he has to take it to the extraction point.
Very good, but it really reads like a western.
October 11, 2025
**Read 3.5 STARS!**
This eventful historical adventure is the 9th volume of the "Richard Sharpe" series, which is a sequel of Sharpe's Eagle (see my review) and this book was published at the end of 1981, but also with the same kind of concept as its predecessor.
At the front of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of Portugal and Spain, with in particular places as Almeida and Casatejada, and a quote from Charles Dibdin 1745-1814, while at the back you'll notice a well documented Historical Note.
Storytelling is very good, all characters, real historical and fictional, are very believable and lifelike within this tale about heroics, greed, power and destruction, but the story is mainly (about 90%) about getting the gold out of Spain and a minimum (about 10%) about the destruction of Almeida, while this last was used as a subtitle.
The story starts off in August 1810. and Captain Sharpe is is trouble after confronting Lieutenant Ayers of the Provosts in a place called Celorica, Portugal, and afterwards after a hearing he's sent by the Duke of Wellington to find and retrieve this hidden Spanish Gold, in an effort to boost the war against the French.
In Spain, Richard Sharpe and his men of the 95th Rifles, the Light Company, are thwarted by a righteous acting Major Kearsey and the Spaniards themselves, with a man called El Católico at the forefront, but eventually by sheer luck they will find this cache of gold and will learn of the murder of Lieutenant Hardy, but before they will reach their destination there will be some action militarily and for Sharpe a personal reckoning.
What is to follow is an entertaining story about obtaining the gold in Spain, trying hard to hold on to it and survive while fleeing from there, and finally escaping unscathed from the horrendous gigantic explosion at Almeida, Portugal.
Very much recommended, for this is a worthy, but not greatest effort, addition to this enjoyable series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Good Gold Case"!
This eventful historical adventure is the 9th volume of the "Richard Sharpe" series, which is a sequel of Sharpe's Eagle (see my review) and this book was published at the end of 1981, but also with the same kind of concept as its predecessor.
At the front of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of Portugal and Spain, with in particular places as Almeida and Casatejada, and a quote from Charles Dibdin 1745-1814, while at the back you'll notice a well documented Historical Note.
Storytelling is very good, all characters, real historical and fictional, are very believable and lifelike within this tale about heroics, greed, power and destruction, but the story is mainly (about 90%) about getting the gold out of Spain and a minimum (about 10%) about the destruction of Almeida, while this last was used as a subtitle.
The story starts off in August 1810. and Captain Sharpe is is trouble after confronting Lieutenant Ayers of the Provosts in a place called Celorica, Portugal, and afterwards after a hearing he's sent by the Duke of Wellington to find and retrieve this hidden Spanish Gold, in an effort to boost the war against the French.
In Spain, Richard Sharpe and his men of the 95th Rifles, the Light Company, are thwarted by a righteous acting Major Kearsey and the Spaniards themselves, with a man called El Católico at the forefront, but eventually by sheer luck they will find this cache of gold and will learn of the murder of Lieutenant Hardy, but before they will reach their destination there will be some action militarily and for Sharpe a personal reckoning.
What is to follow is an entertaining story about obtaining the gold in Spain, trying hard to hold on to it and survive while fleeing from there, and finally escaping unscathed from the horrendous gigantic explosion at Almeida, Portugal.
Very much recommended, for this is a worthy, but not greatest effort, addition to this enjoyable series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Good Gold Case"!
September 23, 2019
a good entry in the Sharpe series. very entertaining and fast paced. Sharpe is givin a mission of great importance from wellington himself. Told that failure would mean losing the war the stage is set for a series of tough actions and tougher decisions. there is a girl, the best "Sharpe girl" in my opinion of the series so far. Patrick Harper is funny and brilliant as ever. The villain a ambitious Spanish partisan named El Catolico was decently written but failed to raise my anger, no cheering when Sharpe did his thing, as with his past adversaries. The King's German Legion were cool. but Major Kearsey was annoying. Sharpe succeeds of course because the war continues. but has to make a horrible decision. as always how Sharpe succeeds is more intriguing than if. A sacrifice has to be made. the sacrifice is the reason to read Sharpe's Gold. and that's how you write a teaser review!
"Ruthlessness was good in a soldier, in a general or a captain, and men admire it, but that was no reason to think that the ruthless man did not feel the bloody pain as well."
ruthless and remorseful that's a recipe for complex character. I might have a bit of series fatigue creeping in. I'm still excited for the next book and enjoying each book immensely. but maybe I'm appreciating them a little less.
"Ruthlessness was good in a soldier, in a general or a captain, and men admire it, but that was no reason to think that the ruthless man did not feel the bloody pain as well."
ruthless and remorseful that's a recipe for complex character. I might have a bit of series fatigue creeping in. I'm still excited for the next book and enjoying each book immensely. but maybe I'm appreciating them a little less.
February 6, 2013
Sharpe's Gold picks up the story of the freshly appointed, yet unconfirmed, Captain Richard Sharpe soon after his famous capture of a French regimental Eagle at the battle of Talavera (I think 1810, but I'm not very good with numbers). The fate of the British armies in Portugal is in Dire Straits (I've always wanted to find a way to insert the name of this rock band in one of my reviews) , and General Wellington's last resort is to send the unorthodox but highly effective Sharpe deep into enemy territory, where he has to retrieve about half a ton of gold in Spanish doubloons.
Both the ownership of the treasure and its role in salvaging the British troops remain questionable. Sharpe has to fight both the French patrols and the Spanish guerrilleros as his small band of riflemen is chased across the no man's land between the larger armies. Strongpoint of the novel are several battle sequences and the personal conflict between Sharpe and El Catolico, guerilla leader and spurned lover.
Speaking of love, I'm getting real tired of the author's insistence in providing a nubile, fiery tempered and easily seductible woman in every single novel in the series, no matter how rough the setting and improbable the conquest. My other complaint is the evident bias towards the British armies, and towards Sharpe in particular, to the point where adversaries are ridiculed and his own soldiers are praised to heaven amd beyond. Realism takes a step back when faced with hero worshipping, sometimes going so far as to find excuses for war crimes
The book was a pageturner as usual, I've blown through it in two sittings, so don't take my complaints too seriously. The actions scenes were excellent, but I hope in the next installments I will see more of the larger Napoleonic conflict and less of these sidequests.
September 28, 2023
Wow…I hated this. So many hard-to-believe scenarios (and that’s saying something), the unnecessary romance (got worse in the epilogue) and how I hated the problem and its resolution (couldn’t be convinced and it was so rushed) Even Rupert Farley’s narration couldn’t save it. Hopefully the next one is better.
February 5, 2015
This has to be the worst of the Sharpe series. Aside from the abrupt ending to an already short novel, there are inconsistencies with the consistency of Cornwell's writing and characters. Sharpe and Wellington are both amply out of character here. While both are motivated by an unrelenting desire to succeed, the actions taken in this installment go beyond their previously established value system. There are also plot holes such as how did Hagman and his 3 get out of the village after providing overwatch from the bell tower in chapter 13? How come none of the partisans were shot by Hagman and his group when they left the village?.
There's a drastic difference between the first set of books that were written and the rest of the books that were inserted into the story later. The later books are polished to perfection and Sharpe's character is infinitely more compelling. It makes one wish that Cornwell had perfected his trade on some other series before coming to Sharpe.
The Sharpe series still remains some of the best historical fiction out there, it's just that half of the series (Rifles, Eagle, Gold, Company, Sword, Enemy, Honour, Regiment, Siege, Revenge and Waterloo) is dampened by seeing what it could have been when compared to the later novels (Tiger, Triumph, Fortress, Trafalagar, Prey, Havoc, Escape, Fury, Battle, Skirmish, Christmas, Ransom and Devil).
There's a drastic difference between the first set of books that were written and the rest of the books that were inserted into the story later. The later books are polished to perfection and Sharpe's character is infinitely more compelling. It makes one wish that Cornwell had perfected his trade on some other series before coming to Sharpe.
The Sharpe series still remains some of the best historical fiction out there, it's just that half of the series (Rifles, Eagle, Gold, Company, Sword, Enemy, Honour, Regiment, Siege, Revenge and Waterloo) is dampened by seeing what it could have been when compared to the later novels (Tiger, Triumph, Fortress, Trafalagar, Prey, Havoc, Escape, Fury, Battle, Skirmish, Christmas, Ransom and Devil).
June 17, 2024
I enjoy the Sharpe novels, but they are a bit formatic he always wins a girl for a little while but then army duties stop it going anywhere. I think Bernard Cornwell did better when he challenged himself more I was really impressed with the Warlord Chronicles.
Im determined to read the whole of this series, I do like them but theres no surprises with them he could write these in his sleep. I do think they are always solid though and a good light read when you want one.
Im determined to read the whole of this series, I do like them but theres no surprises with them he could write these in his sleep. I do think they are always solid though and a good light read when you want one.
February 1, 2014
Sharpe, immediately after winning accolades for capturing a French Eagle, is ordered by Wellington to steal a fortune in Spanish gold. This is in the care of El Catolico, a devious and selfish Spanish partisan, who wants it for himself. Naturally, Sharpe means to take it – and El Catolico’s fierce, beautiful lover, of course.
Cornwell surprised me in this book: Major Kearsey, the strict, rather uptight official whom Sharpe has difficulties with, did not, to my great amazement, turn out to be traitor, merely somewhat of a boob. I got the sense that Cornwell did intend Kearsey to be a traitor, but a shrewd editor told him that Sharpe had faced a few too many traitors in a row, so he rewrote the character a bit – though El Catolico is, in some ways, a traitor, since he’s nominally a British ally – so Cornwell got a turncoat in after all. Whew! In any case, whether it’s the less formulaic characters, the rather questionable morality of Sharpe’s mission, or just the exciting climax during the siege of Almeida, this is the first Sharpe book in a while to hold my interest from beginning to end.
Cornwell surprised me in this book: Major Kearsey, the strict, rather uptight official whom Sharpe has difficulties with, did not, to my great amazement, turn out to be traitor, merely somewhat of a boob. I got the sense that Cornwell did intend Kearsey to be a traitor, but a shrewd editor told him that Sharpe had faced a few too many traitors in a row, so he rewrote the character a bit – though El Catolico is, in some ways, a traitor, since he’s nominally a British ally – so Cornwell got a turncoat in after all. Whew! In any case, whether it’s the less formulaic characters, the rather questionable morality of Sharpe’s mission, or just the exciting climax during the siege of Almeida, this is the first Sharpe book in a while to hold my interest from beginning to end.
August 20, 2022
Sharpe #9, and it's another re-read.
This one takes place in 1810, and deals with the siege of Almeida in Portugal.
By this point in the war, it's commonly believed that the French are winning. Most of the Spanish and Portuguese believe that the British have already lost, and they assume that the British will be leaving the Peninsula. There are still small bands of resistance fighting. In this tale we mostly deal with the Spanish Partisans; they employ guerrilla warfare against the French. Things will come to a head in Almeida, but for more reasons than you might expect.
Captain Sharpe and his Riflemen are sent by Wellington into enemy-held territory on a secret mission. Most of the particulars are so secret that not even Sharpe has been taken into Wellington's confidence. Sharpe and his men have a devil of a time during their attempt to carry out this assignment, and there's an enormous amount of collateral damage.
What an absorbing and well-written series! I have really been enjoying visiting this series again.
This one takes place in 1810, and deals with the siege of Almeida in Portugal.
By this point in the war, it's commonly believed that the French are winning. Most of the Spanish and Portuguese believe that the British have already lost, and they assume that the British will be leaving the Peninsula. There are still small bands of resistance fighting. In this tale we mostly deal with the Spanish Partisans; they employ guerrilla warfare against the French. Things will come to a head in Almeida, but for more reasons than you might expect.
Captain Sharpe and his Riflemen are sent by Wellington into enemy-held territory on a secret mission. Most of the particulars are so secret that not even Sharpe has been taken into Wellington's confidence. Sharpe and his men have a devil of a time during their attempt to carry out this assignment, and there's an enormous amount of collateral damage.
What an absorbing and well-written series! I have really been enjoying visiting this series again.
November 10, 2022
Sharpe's Gold is set in 1810. We see soldier, hero, and rogue Captain Richard Sharpe, sent behind enemy lines by Wellington. His purpose: to capture a hoard of Spanish gold. The enemy he confronts strikes terror into the hearts of all around. This is a rebel guerilla band whose leader, El Catolico. Catolico has a particular loathing for Sharpe. Not only does he want the gold, but Sharpe has stolen his betrothed. This is a Spanish guerilla called Teresa, who hates the French with a passion.
Like all the Sharpe series, is fast-paced and action-filled. And, as usual, Bernard Cornwell has gone into some historic depth with the book. He weaves real-life historical events into the fictional story.
This book was the first Sharpe Cornwell wrote. As such there are a few plot inconsistencies. This is especially true when relating Sharpe’s experiences in India, which differ to the Indian trilogy. But this is a minor quibble. As it's another cracking read by Cornwell.
Like all the Sharpe series, is fast-paced and action-filled. And, as usual, Bernard Cornwell has gone into some historic depth with the book. He weaves real-life historical events into the fictional story.
This book was the first Sharpe Cornwell wrote. As such there are a few plot inconsistencies. This is especially true when relating Sharpe’s experiences in India, which differ to the Indian trilogy. But this is a minor quibble. As it's another cracking read by Cornwell.
October 27, 2015
4.5 rounded up, clearly one of Cornwell's earlier books.
September 10, 2025
3.5 stars
Sharpe's Gold is very similar to Sharpe's Eagle in that there is a girl, there is a mission, and Britain's army is far superior to every other army. Even Britain's allies get in Britain's way. In this book, Sharpe and the lads must obtain a big stash of Spanish gold to put toward the war effort. Can they find it? Can they acquire it? Will Sharpe get the girl?
I enjoyed this episode a bit more than Eagle, but I kept picturing David Hasselhoff as Cpt. Richard Sharpe.
Not nearly as good as Cornwell's Saxon or Arthur stories but still fun to read.
Damn that Napoleon.
Sharpe's Gold is very similar to Sharpe's Eagle in that there is a girl, there is a mission, and Britain's army is far superior to every other army. Even Britain's allies get in Britain's way. In this book, Sharpe and the lads must obtain a big stash of Spanish gold to put toward the war effort. Can they find it? Can they acquire it? Will Sharpe get the girl?
I enjoyed this episode a bit more than Eagle, but I kept picturing David Hasselhoff as Cpt. Richard Sharpe.
Not nearly as good as Cornwell's Saxon or Arthur stories but still fun to read.
Damn that Napoleon.
November 17, 2025
A slight bit of golden creativity with history, but in war (and stories told about war), perhaps, God isn’t watching.
March 3, 2014
Reading these books makes me want to watch the series again, it's one of those periods of time that I am drawn to. Love the whole Napoleonic wars era, though I prefer Nelson to Wellington.
Anyway back to the book, it's still the peninsular wars with Britain trying to retain their foothold in Portugal and Spain. Things are going badly and funds are low, but there's a hidden stash of gold that could come in handy if only we can get our mitts on it. There's also a man Wellington has in mind for the job.
Anyway back to the book, it's still the peninsular wars with Britain trying to retain their foothold in Portugal and Spain. Things are going badly and funds are low, but there's a hidden stash of gold that could come in handy if only we can get our mitts on it. There's also a man Wellington has in mind for the job.
February 16, 2023
Wow, that's not what I expected. Although I BARELY remember the plot details from the TV series, this is just... WOAH, SO different. I was reading this and thinking, "wait, wasn't this story about Aztec gold or something" and then (after a part of my mind remembered some controversy of people HATING the TV adaptation of this book) I looked it up on IMDB and sure enough the screenwriter admitted that apart from the first 10 pages, the whole thing was just something he made up (he even changed the setting from 1810 to 1813). Sigh... this is why we can't have nice things. Particularly as Sharpe's Gold is a gripping and dark entry in the series with our protagonist forced to make an impossible choice for the good of the war effort; the kind of story that deserves to be adapted properly. Anyway, the issue at hand is that General Wellesley needs money, lots of money and FAST. However, the British government has recently gone through a change of Ministries and the new government is opposed to spending "lavishly" on the war effort and they're penny-pinching while the French Army is ramping up to invade Portugal, Britain's last ally and foothold on the Continent. The thing is, Wellesley KNOWS where to get the money he needs, an abandoned Spanish pay train discovered by one of his scouts and in the hands of a band of Spanish Partisans behind French lines. Technically, this money belongs to the Spanish, but the Spanish have failed to provide any of the support they promised to Wellesley and he's desperate so he goes to his favorite problem-solving officer, Captain Richard Sharpe, with a simple order, "Get the money, bring it to me AT ALL COSTS, or we lose the war." With that simple command Sharpe is faced with his most difficult task yet, bringing back a fortune from under the nose of the French, and doing so while fending off threats from supposed allies. For the life of me, I cannot understand how any screenwriter would choose to just pass on this story and make something up, its villain is a bit weak, but he's really just there to put Sharpe in an impossible position. Anyway, this is another solid entry in the series.
March 27, 2025
“No, gentlemen, our survival depends on something else. Something that you, Captain Sharpe, must bring me. Must, do you hear? Must.” (quote from the book)
Under orders from General Wellington, Sharpe must retrieve the Spanish gold, or the war will be lost. What a fitting piece of history to weave Sharpe’s story around. However, what a horrific loss of life. And that was not the only horrific loss of life within this novel. A Spanish guerilla band, headed by a ‘good man’, has the gold. They are to escort it to Cadiz. But they are not the only ones after it…the French, of course, and another who wants it for himself.
“…like a gambler who had lost all but a handful of coins, he was staking everything on one last throw, a throw against odds of sixteen to one.” (quote from the book)
All does not go as planned. The gold is not where it’s supposed to be. But both Sharpe and Harper decide that not all is as it seems. Acting on instinct alone, Sharpe and his company take desperate actions. From there it is race against time to get back to Wellington. A race that takes them to Almeida and even more difficult decisions to make.
Again, they live to fight another day!
February 8, 2025
Back in Spain with Sharp and his rifles and a British infantry attached to them.
Sharp is tasked with crossing the French lines and finding a hidden cache of Spanish Gold. Wellington says that without the gold in hand, the British will have no other option but to retreat. Of course, Sharpe is determined to find that gold and transport it back. The problem is they will be walking right into the French army.
It need not be said, but of course, there is a woman. Sharpe again falls in lust-or is it really love this time? I suppose future books will answer that question for me.
Sharp is tasked with crossing the French lines and finding a hidden cache of Spanish Gold. Wellington says that without the gold in hand, the British will have no other option but to retreat. Of course, Sharpe is determined to find that gold and transport it back. The problem is they will be walking right into the French army.
It need not be said, but of course, there is a woman. Sharpe again falls in lust-or is it really love this time? I suppose future books will answer that question for me.
March 31, 2022
For fans of the tv show, gold is easily one of the worst episodes. Mainly because of the ridiculous storyline. The reason for this was budgetary reasons, and a rewrite of the script. The original script was supposed to be the plot of this book, and it would have been SO much better. The final bloody climax in the book is compelling and chilling answering one of the unanswered questions of the peninsular war, the destruction of Almeida.
If in doubt, Sharpe did it! 😂
A great book that more than makes up for the disappointment of the tv episode
If in doubt, Sharpe did it! 😂
A great book that more than makes up for the disappointment of the tv episode
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2023
Aaaaaaand I’m out of books
December 3, 2021
Book 9 covers the destruction of Almeida 1810. Cornwell makes the fictional Sharpe light the fuse that destroyed the Portguese garrison.
Before that Sharpe has a mission to capture a hoard of gold held by Spanish partisans. He gets another girl before losing her but that's OK as he gets back with his previous one.
There's a bit of stretching the truth in this one and some horrible inconsistencies in the series with the Indian nemesises who Sharpe has killed but in this book are still alive.
Before that Sharpe has a mission to capture a hoard of gold held by Spanish partisans. He gets another girl before losing her but that's OK as he gets back with his previous one.
There's a bit of stretching the truth in this one and some horrible inconsistencies in the series with the Indian nemesises who Sharpe has killed but in this book are still alive.
January 8, 2017
Questo libro è il secondo in ordine di pubblicazione, ma il nono in ordine cronologico.
Il che spiega la freschezza della storia (una classica e pura storia d'azione, con dell'oro da recuperare in territorio nemico contro francesi e partigiani spagnoli) e la statura dei personaggi (con uno Sharpe descritto un poco più memorabile e maestoso di quanto non si sia visto nei libri scritti successivamente)... ma seguendo l'ordine cronologico la storia perde un poco di mordente.
Non per demeriti propri, sicuramente anzi seguendo l'ordine di pubblicazione questo libro risulterebbe positivissimo, ma per la stanchezza che dopo nove libri la trama comincia a soffrire.
Dove per trama intendo lo sviluppo interno alla singola storia, non certo la macrotrama storica...
Diciamo che il canovaccio delle storie, al netto degli eventi storici e delle circostanze uniche delle singole battaglie, ormai è noto.
Quando il Maggiore spiega la missione che attende Sharpe, intuiamo già le possibili complicazioni.
Quando si legge della fiera ragazza figlia del vecchio capo partigiano e promessa sposa del nuovo leader dei briganti, sappiamo già con certezza cosa accadrà.
Insomma, nessuna sorpresa a parte il modo in cui Sharpe riesce a salvare se stesso, la compagnia e la missione, perfettamente inserita nella Storia.
Un difetto non certo del libro in sé (per il secondo volume della saga, scritto nel 1981, non dovevano certo essere risvolti triti, previsti e già letti negli altri volumi) ma dovuto piuttosto al riciclo evidentemente operato da Cromwell delle trame dei suoi libri.
Il che spiega la freschezza della storia (una classica e pura storia d'azione, con dell'oro da recuperare in territorio nemico contro francesi e partigiani spagnoli) e la statura dei personaggi (con uno Sharpe descritto un poco più memorabile e maestoso di quanto non si sia visto nei libri scritti successivamente)... ma seguendo l'ordine cronologico la storia perde un poco di mordente.
Non per demeriti propri, sicuramente anzi seguendo l'ordine di pubblicazione questo libro risulterebbe positivissimo, ma per la stanchezza che dopo nove libri la trama comincia a soffrire.
Dove per trama intendo lo sviluppo interno alla singola storia, non certo la macrotrama storica...
Diciamo che il canovaccio delle storie, al netto degli eventi storici e delle circostanze uniche delle singole battaglie, ormai è noto.
Quando il Maggiore spiega la missione che attende Sharpe, intuiamo già le possibili complicazioni.
Quando si legge della fiera ragazza figlia del vecchio capo partigiano e promessa sposa del nuovo leader dei briganti, sappiamo già con certezza cosa accadrà.
Insomma, nessuna sorpresa a parte il modo in cui Sharpe riesce a salvare se stesso, la compagnia e la missione, perfettamente inserita nella Storia.
Un difetto non certo del libro in sé (per il secondo volume della saga, scritto nel 1981, non dovevano certo essere risvolti triti, previsti e già letti negli altri volumi) ma dovuto piuttosto al riciclo evidentemente operato da Cromwell delle trame dei suoi libri.
June 28, 2008
Taking place in 1809, this is the ninth book chronologically in the Richard Sharpe series. In my opinion it is the worst of the nine.
Sharpe, as usual, has more problems with his own people than with the French enemy. In this story he encounters an arrogant provost, a religious zealot, an unsympathetic General and a Spanish ally who wants him dead.
Also, as usual, he meets a beautiful woman whom he falls in love with but can never have because he is a soldier and must move on.
He survives numerous wounds and is twice rescued as he faces almost certain death.
While these are elements in all of the previous books in the series, in this tale they come across as formulaic rather than spontaneous thereby ruining the fun and the suspense.
If I could, I'd give the book 2 and 1/2 stars rather than three: "barely worthwhile reading". I plan to read the next volume, "Sharpe's Escape" and I hope that "Sharpe's Gold" was an anomaly and that Cornwell can recapture the exuberance and excitement of Sharpe's adventures.
Sharpe, as usual, has more problems with his own people than with the French enemy. In this story he encounters an arrogant provost, a religious zealot, an unsympathetic General and a Spanish ally who wants him dead.
Also, as usual, he meets a beautiful woman whom he falls in love with but can never have because he is a soldier and must move on.
He survives numerous wounds and is twice rescued as he faces almost certain death.
While these are elements in all of the previous books in the series, in this tale they come across as formulaic rather than spontaneous thereby ruining the fun and the suspense.
If I could, I'd give the book 2 and 1/2 stars rather than three: "barely worthwhile reading". I plan to read the next volume, "Sharpe's Escape" and I hope that "Sharpe's Gold" was an anomaly and that Cornwell can recapture the exuberance and excitement of Sharpe's adventures.
November 29, 2008
Sharpe’s Gold by Bernard Cornwell is another enjoyable volume in Cornwell’s Napoleonic War series featuring our hero, Richard Sharpe. I found this one particularly interesting not just because it’s a good story that proposes an unusual solution for the cause of a huge explosion that destroyed the fortress at Alameda, but also because of the huge ethical dilemma that Sharpe creates for himself. To my way of thinking, Sharpe doesn’t linger long enough on the ramifications of his act, which kills hundreds, in order to release himself from the order of a superior officer so that he can fulfill the order of another, Wellington. The general had ordered Sharpe to take his company into enemy territory and steal 16,000 gold coins from the Spanish, ostensibly a British ally. Wellington insists the gold is needed to save the war for the British. Sharpe succeeds, of course, after the usual narrow escapes and plunges into manure piles and beautiful women, but I found the decision he makes to get out of his dilemma totally disturbing.
October 9, 2024
This was Cornwell's second published book right on the heels of Sharpe's Eagle also published in 1981, and while it was still engaging for the most part (also kudos to Rupert Farley as the narrator for bringing his usual zest to the proceedings), it really doesn't come close to most of the later ones I've read.
There wasn't a lot of action, there wasn't a compelling antagonist, and the romance aspect was done to a dissatisfyingly poor level. Also this is the first book out of the 9 I've done that nothing significant happened on a series level for Sharpe personally/professionally or for the British in a larger war context, so it's truly a little standalone adventure that one can safely skip if you're not a Sharpe completionist. If you are one like me, it's a short book (less than 250 pages) that still boasts plenty of personality and some fun twists and turns, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't get invested in the plot and the suspense around the gold.
There wasn't a lot of action, there wasn't a compelling antagonist, and the romance aspect was done to a dissatisfyingly poor level. Also this is the first book out of the 9 I've done that nothing significant happened on a series level for Sharpe personally/professionally or for the British in a larger war context, so it's truly a little standalone adventure that one can safely skip if you're not a Sharpe completionist. If you are one like me, it's a short book (less than 250 pages) that still boasts plenty of personality and some fun twists and turns, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't get invested in the plot and the suspense around the gold.
January 13, 2017
The Sharpe series could be viewed as being a little formula driven - Sharpe is given a mission and/or finds himself in a position where he has to make independent decisions; there are nasty Frenchmen (or their allies) in the vicinity; the locals have at least one nasty, self-centred individual amongst them who is sabotaging the mission/situation; there's a British officer, nominally in charge, who's an idiot/traitor; Sharpe will see most of us through to a happy outcome. Hooray! Despite this, the series is entertaining, well-written and often exciting. It's also educational. Hooray!
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