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A review by usbsticky
Sharpe's Havoc by Bernard Cornwell
4.0
Spoilers ahead:
This book is the retelling of the events during the Oporto Campaign in Portugal where Marshal Soult took the city and then was thrown back about 2 months later.
The book starts off with the aftermath of the First Battle of Oporto where Soult defeats the Portuguese and thousands of civilians are drowned as they try to cross the Douro River to escape from the French. Sharpe is caught on the wrong side of the river with a small detachment and escapes with the help of Lt. Vincente and his small detachment.
Sharpe is then ordered to keep an eye on Lt. Colonel Christopher. Lt. Col. Christopher is a suave opportunist from the Foreign Office who is trying to get the French forces to mutiny by getting Soult to declare himself King of Portugal. This is the historical part of the book. Soult was unhappy that other marshals had become princes and kings whereas he was still a duke. He wanted to be King of Portugal but members of the French forces were against him and would possibly revolt.
Christopher had positioned himself to win no matter which side won. His end goal was to get rid by being appointed the exclusive exporter of wines in Portugal and also to be married to a British wine merchant's heiress despite being married in England already. He became a turncoat by giving Soult the names of the mutineers as well as information on the British in Portugal. He also tried to kill Sharpe multiple times when Sharpe tried to stop him.
About 2 months later after witness Christopher's treachery and trying to get back to British lines, Sharpe is back at the river Douro and finds 3 hidden barges which allow British forces to come back on the French side of the river. The French attack but are thrown back and have to leave Porto. Sharpe follows the army and kills Christopher as the French escape over two bridges which failed to be blown up by the Portuguese ordenanças (militia). The exploits of the real French Major Dulong are included in the book as he personally leads the attack on both bridges.
Antagonist: Lt. Col. Christopher the British turncoat.
Romantic interest: Kate Savage the heiress who Sharpe seduces several times.
Overall a good retelling of this campaign.
This book is the retelling of the events during the Oporto Campaign in Portugal where Marshal Soult took the city and then was thrown back about 2 months later.
The book starts off with the aftermath of the First Battle of Oporto where Soult defeats the Portuguese and thousands of civilians are drowned as they try to cross the Douro River to escape from the French. Sharpe is caught on the wrong side of the river with a small detachment and escapes with the help of Lt. Vincente and his small detachment.
Sharpe is then ordered to keep an eye on Lt. Colonel Christopher. Lt. Col. Christopher is a suave opportunist from the Foreign Office who is trying to get the French forces to mutiny by getting Soult to declare himself King of Portugal. This is the historical part of the book. Soult was unhappy that other marshals had become princes and kings whereas he was still a duke. He wanted to be King of Portugal but members of the French forces were against him and would possibly revolt.
Christopher had positioned himself to win no matter which side won. His end goal was to get rid by being appointed the exclusive exporter of wines in Portugal and also to be married to a British wine merchant's heiress despite being married in England already. He became a turncoat by giving Soult the names of the mutineers as well as information on the British in Portugal. He also tried to kill Sharpe multiple times when Sharpe tried to stop him.
About 2 months later after witness Christopher's treachery and trying to get back to British lines, Sharpe is back at the river Douro and finds 3 hidden barges which allow British forces to come back on the French side of the river. The French attack but are thrown back and have to leave Porto. Sharpe follows the army and kills Christopher as the French escape over two bridges which failed to be blown up by the Portuguese ordenanças (militia). The exploits of the real French Major Dulong are included in the book as he personally leads the attack on both bridges.
Antagonist: Lt. Col. Christopher the British turncoat.
Romantic interest: Kate Savage the heiress who Sharpe seduces several times.
Overall a good retelling of this campaign.