What counts as the first "Sharpe" book

[Canaan]

So this is the first one published by Bernard Cornwell though apparently the book "Sharpe's Rifles" is considered to be the start of the series even if it was published later. But then even more stories were published detailing Sharpe's time in India so chronologically this is now 8th if you read in that order.

So I went with date of publication. And I've seen most of the BBC videos anyway.

[Craig]

Sharpe's Rifles is the original Richard Sharpe origin story, written with an eventual TV audience in mind. It introduces the Peninsular War, Patrick Harper and other mainstay characters of the series. It's still where I would recommend people start and then stick to chronological order from there. Treat the novels that were published later, but set earlier, as a separate series of prequels.

[Anthony]

I receommend sticking strictly to chronology, otherwise you'd miss out on two key elements of the story -- Sharpe's life as it evolves, as well as the European war as it occured.

We're apparently not allowed to post links but if you go to Bernard Cornwell's web site and then the web page for the Sharpe's series you'll find a link to the official order of the book series.