You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Sharpe is a captain who has come up through the ranks and is now attached to the" green jackets," riflemen attached to the Light Division.
Reviewers have lauded Cornwell's realistic portrayal of the period. I am in no position to judge, but it certainly seems real enough. The characters are well-developed, humorous, and likeable. Cornwell's description of Wellington' s defense at Fuentes de Orono, a battle that if lost might have spelled doom for the British, is marvelous. I never really understood the power of the "square," how it moved and was used successfully as an almost impenetrable barrier to cavalry, until I read Cornwell's narrative.
The square could form almost instantly through a series of intricate maneuvers from a marching column. Its power against cavalry came from the massive firepower its leaders coordinated. It was susceptible to mounted artillery so it was protected by sharpshooters who picked off the horses and artillerymen who tried to venture close enough to deliver the lethal canister. When the cavalry withdrew in frustration after a futile charge, the square would reform into columns and continue marching until again threatened by the cavalry's charge. It took months of practice and steady commanders to perform the intricate maneuvers while loading muskets, a complicated process itself
The story revolves around Sharpe's encounter with some of the French General Loup's troops, who have raped some Spanish villagers. Loup rides up under a flag of truce demanding his men back. Sharpe, backed up by his riflemen, refuse s and has two summarily shot. Loup swears revenge, a retaliation that leads to the death of 400 Portugue se allies, for which Sharpe is perhaps correctly picked to take the blame. The story has everything: traitors, a beautiful spy, dunderheaded leaders and brilliant generals. It's a ripping good read that vividly brings home the horror of warfare in the early nineteenth century.
Reviewers have lauded Cornwell's realistic portrayal of the period. I am in no position to judge, but it certainly seems real enough. The characters are well-developed, humorous, and likeable. Cornwell's description of Wellington' s defense at Fuentes de Orono, a battle that if lost might have spelled doom for the British, is marvelous. I never really understood the power of the "square," how it moved and was used successfully as an almost impenetrable barrier to cavalry, until I read Cornwell's narrative.
The square could form almost instantly through a series of intricate maneuvers from a marching column. Its power against cavalry came from the massive firepower its leaders coordinated. It was susceptible to mounted artillery so it was protected by sharpshooters who picked off the horses and artillerymen who tried to venture close enough to deliver the lethal canister. When the cavalry withdrew in frustration after a futile charge, the square would reform into columns and continue marching until again threatened by the cavalry's charge. It took months of practice and steady commanders to perform the intricate maneuvers while loading muskets, a complicated process itself
The story revolves around Sharpe's encounter with some of the French General Loup's troops, who have raped some Spanish villagers. Loup rides up under a flag of truce demanding his men back. Sharpe, backed up by his riflemen, refuse s and has two summarily shot. Loup swears revenge, a retaliation that leads to the death of 400 Portugue se allies, for which Sharpe is perhaps correctly picked to take the blame. The story has everything: traitors, a beautiful spy, dunderheaded leaders and brilliant generals. It's a ripping good read that vividly brings home the horror of warfare in the early nineteenth century.
Sharpe finds himself on the Spain/Portugal border in 1811.
After catching some French in the process of raping and killing their way through a village, he kills two of the soldiers, earning the wrath of their leader Brigadier Loup.
As usual, Sharpe finds himself in trouble with the higher-ups and is facing a court of inquiry and demotion unless he can pull off something spectacular.
A good set of characters, from untested infantrymen, devious French agents, spies and double agents as well as Sharpe's usual team.
Plenty of action right from the start.
After catching some French in the process of raping and killing their way through a village, he kills two of the soldiers, earning the wrath of their leader Brigadier Loup.
As usual, Sharpe finds himself in trouble with the higher-ups and is facing a court of inquiry and demotion unless he can pull off something spectacular.
A good set of characters, from untested infantrymen, devious French agents, spies and double agents as well as Sharpe's usual team.
Plenty of action right from the start.