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Sharpe’s Eagle: Richard Sharpe and the Talavera Campaign, July 1809 Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,870 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Here is one of those rare novels that completely transports the reader to an unforgettable time and place in history.
At Talavera in July of 1809, Captain Richard Sharpe, bold, professional, and ruthless, prepares to lead his men against the armies of Napoleon in what will be the bloodiest battle of the war. Sharpe has earned his captaincy, but there are others, such as the foppish Lieutenant Gibbons and his uncle, Colonel Henry Simmerson, who have bought their commissions despite their incompetence. After their cowardly loss of the regiment’s colors, their resentment toward the upstart Sharpe turns to treachery, and Sharpe must battle his way through sword fights and bloody warfare to redeem the honor of his regiment. His goal is to capture the most valued prize in the French Army—a golden Imperial Eagle, the standard touched by the hand of Napoleon himself.
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"So the gumph at the beginning says this was the first Sharpe book that Bernard Cornwell wrote, but is currently the eighth chronologically. I read them in chronological order, so I was well acquainted with Sharpe in India and Copenhagen long before he got to grips with the dastardly Napoleon. That said, it is a tribute to Bernard Cornwell that his prequels and sequels all fit together very well. This is one the best books in the series,it has all the ingredients. Sharpe and Harper of course, plus a dastardly villain, some absolute cads that look down their noses at our hero, a massive battle at the end that Sharpe wins against all the odds, and of course, a beautiful woman. This really is all man's stuff, for real men, or so we'd like to think!"
— Rick (5 out of 5 stars)
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“[Sharpe is] a hero in the mold of James Bond.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer -
“A masterful blend of fiction and historical detail.”
— Newsday -
“A totally convincing picture of warfare, of hand-to-hand, sword-to-sword, bayonet-to-bayonet fighting.”
— Cleveland Plain Dealer -
“A combination of skilled storyteller and skilled reader make this audio a real winner.”
— Kliatt
Sharpe’s Eagle Listener Reviews
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John, 7/17/2021
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" As far as I remember, this was the very first Sharpe that Cornwell wrote. When he went back to fill in the back-story, he started just before this one (with Rifles) then went back some more. Which makes some of the small details in the stories inconsistent. But I still love them. "
— Sho, 2/17/2014 -
" I loved the book. It got me hooked on the Sharpe series and Bernard Cornwell. "
— Nathan, 2/9/2014 -
" Must read the final battle to the 1812 Overture. "
— S.j., 2/7/2014 -
" This is one of my favorites in this series. It is exciting and there are interesting characters. As always the villains are villainous. In this case the villain is a vain and incompetent colonel who thinks flogging is the way to make good soldiers and, of course, takes a dislike to Sharpe. As always Sharpe is well-nigh indestructible, extremely heroic and very lucky - but not in love. "
— Bonnie, 2/2/2014 -
" I really like this series in CD. The reader really does a good job. "
— Malia, 1/14/2014 -
" So far I am liking this one better than the first in the series. We'll see. I still can't help but feel I'd rather re-read Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles... "
— Emily, 12/22/2013 -
" Very good piece of Sharpe cannon, in fact, the first one written. Sharpe is involved in intense, larger-than-life battles, just as in most of the others and overcomes overwhelming odds, prejudice, and incompetance to win the day...all while we accidentally learn a bit of history. Good stuff. "
— Brandon, 12/17/2013 -
" great author good story interwoven with history "
— Jason, 10/15/2013 -
" Another thoroughly enjoyable tale of Richard Sharpe! "
— Sonja, 8/14/2013 -
" I enjoyed the Sharpe's novels pretty well. They do seem to bog down now and again, you must build in a romantic angle. In this one the obligitory inept officers almost bring about disaster and shame the Regiment. it falls to Sharpe (of course) to redeem their honor. "
— Mike, 5/5/2013 -
" Really enjoyed this one! I've heard of the French army marching in columns but this makes it happen. "
— Stuart, 9/26/2012 -
" Barely any need to review this book. The first of the Sharpe books, and to the best of my knowledge the first novel by Cornwell, this is a gem in the historical fiction field. "
— Chris, 9/15/2012 -
" Another solid installment in the Sharpe series. Might not go over well with people who don't like history, but it's a solid adventure story. "
— Tom, 6/26/2012 -
" The Richard Sharpe series is a magnificent work of historical fiction. Bernard Cornwell has written an amazing series following Sharpe from a private in India to a Lt. Colonel at Waterloo and then a civilian farmer. "
— Hazel, 5/27/2012 -
" Nice pace; fun, quick read "
— Steve, 1/30/2012 -
" This is a short book, but a fun book. One learns a lot about the Napoleonic wars and the conditions of soldiering in that era. Some might argue that Sharpe is too good to be true, but I enjoy his successes. I give it a 6 out of 10. "
— Dick, 9/19/2011 -
" Another solid installment in the Sharpe series. Might not go over well with people who don't like history, but it's a solid adventure story. "
— Tom, 6/29/2011 -
" A brilliant series which gave an incredible insight into an army in the Napoleonic era. Wellington’s “scum of the Earth” turned into unforgettable characters. "
— John, 5/12/2011 -
" A well researched,readable pot-boiler that begins the Sharpe series. After something heavy these Cornwell Napoleonic yarns are great reading. I love 'em! "
— Geoff, 3/21/2011 -
" Well written book about Sharpe's role in the military and the War in Europe in the 1800s. "
— Owen, 3/3/2011 -
" Another thoroughly enjoyable tale of Richard Sharpe! "
— Sonja, 2/13/2011 -
" Who cant love a book about taking a French eagle. Set at the battle of Talavera in 1809. This was - O think - the first Sharpe book. "
— Richard, 1/1/2011 -
" Top-of-the-line historical fiction. Outstanding battlefield action among the British, French, and Spanish armies. Class warfare among the British officers takes aim at Sharpe. The first Sharpe book published. "
— Bill, 12/8/2010 -
" The first "Sharpe" novel that I've read, and eh, I'll probably read some more, but I can tell that Richard Sharpe's heroic nature could easily become repetitive and cliched. The historical warfare detail was great fun, though. "
— Kiri, 12/7/2010 -
" I love all of Cornwell's books. But, sometimes I do skip some of the fight scenes. "
— julia, 5/6/2010
About Bernard Cornwell
Bernard Cornwell, born in London, worked for the BBC and Thames Television before coming to the United States to write full time. His sweeping historical novels, including the acclaimed Richard Sharpe series and many more, make him a number one bestselling author in the United Kingdom and around the world. He is the author of the acclaimed New York Times bestselling Saxon Tales series, which serves as the basis for the hit television series The Last Kingdom.
About Frederick Davidson
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.