From New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, the eleventh installment in the world-renowned Sharpe series, chronicling the rise of Richard Sharpe, a Private in His Majesty’s Army at the siege of Seringapatam.
In the winter of 1811, the war seems lost. Spain has fallen to the French, except for Cadiz, now the Spanish capital and itself under siege. Inside the city walls an intricate diplomatic dance is taking place and Richard Sharpe faces more than one enemy.
The small British force is trapped by a French army, and their only hope lies with the outnumbered redcoats outside refusing to admit defeat. There, in the sweltering horror of Barrosa, Sharpe will meet his old enemy Colonel Vandal once again.
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"I think what I enjoy most about the Sharpe series is that Sharpe is a real bastard but with his own practical yet romantic sort of moral code. I really enjoy the vivid and detailed battle descriptions. Still Sharpe's Trafalgar has been my favorite...this one runs a close second. I keep expecting to get bored with this series but Cornwell continues to surprise me and keep me coming back for more."
— Michele (4 out of 5 stars)
“Once again, Cornwell is right on target, providing an irresistible combination of rousing military history, penetrating character analysis, and suspenseful martial intrigue…Stirring British military history at its finest.”
— Booklist“There is a lot of action here…Recommended for anybody who likes slam-bang historical fiction.”
— Library Journal“Cornwell has this stuff down cold…Great fun.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Bernard Cornwell brings a good story & History together wonderfully. "
— Stacy, 1/28/2014" I love Sharpe's books, however, this one is not his best adventures. There seems to be a bit too much going on and the writing is oddly repetitive. Ah well. I did enjoy reading about Ensign Keogh, Sergeant Masterson and the Irishmen of the 87th. Faugh a ballagh! "
— Lisa, 1/27/2014" This is my least favorite Sharpe book, although it has my very favorite sentence. Go figure. "
— Andrea, 1/22/2014" I like the history. The scope of Sharpe's adventure is quite small when compared to Waterloo, but fun nonetheless. It seems that half, or perhaps more than half, the book is dedicated to fleshing out real historical characters in areas where Sharpe is not a consideration. "
— Mike, 1/22/2014" Not quite as furious as the title makes out, but it does introduce General Graham to the reader. A solid entry in the series, but definitely not my favorite one. "
— Jesse, 1/4/2014" Not nearly as good as the original Sharpe books. Too much battles without Sharpe or any of his fury. "
— Kristin, 12/27/2013" I thought this one was a little forced. Sharpe seemed more of a witness rather than the driving force. That said, I did stay up late reading to finish when I should have been in bed, so it still kept me reading. "
— Ryan, 12/23/2013" Love the descriptions! "
— Leslie, 12/20/2013" 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, 12/15/2013" I am a huge fan of the Sharpe books, and this one didn't disappoint. The usual rip-roaring adventure, based on real events in the Peninsular War, this time in Cadiz. Sharpe gets shot in the head but still gets sent on a special mission, and saves the day. A real page-turner. "
— Ann, 10/26/2013" Bernard Cornwell's formula is wearing a bit thin if, like me, you'as one of the infills where he's gone back and written new novels in the gaps in Richard Sharpe's story that he'd previously left. "
— Jim, 7/16/2013" Sharpe's books are never bad but this wasnt a stand out of the series "
— Reverenddave, 3/28/2013" Another enjoyable Sharpe novel. If you know the Sharpe books, you will know what to expect. The basic plot was a bit forced, but once we got past the tedious explanation of what he is doing in Cadiz this is a pretty good novel, and the action scenes are as ever very good. "
— Rupert, 1/10/2013" Another good Sharpe book. "
— Tom, 4/19/2012" Sharpe #11 "
— Bill, 1/28/2012" Not the best Sharpe novel, but most Sharpe books are 5 out of 5 stars and the series as a whole is also 5 out of 5 stars! If you want a book that will intrigue you in the first half, grip you in the second and explode at the end, you want Bernard Cornwell! "
— Benjamin, 9/5/2011" This book felt like filler in the Series. I kept waiting for Sharpe's fury... and was left feeling like just another day at the office... when the office is the 19th Century European wars. "
— Jeff, 7/15/2011" No historical epitaph. "
— Scott, 2/28/2011" Fun story with several subplots. Likable hero. Learned a lot about English-French-Spanish military history. "
— Ken, 9/12/2010" Love the battle, tactics, camaraderie, and the history. "
— Kathy, 8/30/2010" I like the history. The scope of Sharpe's adventure is quite small when compared to Waterloo, but fun nonetheless. It seems that half, or perhaps more than half, the book is dedicated to fleshing out real historical characters in areas where Sharpe is not a consideration. "
— Mike, 2/5/2010" This book felt like filler in the Series. I kept waiting for Sharpe's fury... and was left feeling like just another day at the office... when the office is the 19th Century European wars. "
— Jeff, 11/9/2009" Not bad, but not as god as others in the series. "
— Tom, 10/4/2009" Always enjoy reading these. Richard Sharpe has to be one of the best heroes ever created. "
— Lisa, 6/18/2009" Bernard Cornwell uses his usual blend of wit, excitement and immaculate historical detail to produce a fantastic and entertaining read. <br/> <br/>Anyone who likes well-researched, well-written historical fiction MUST read Cornwell! "
— Rachael, 1/2/2009" Richard Sharpe is perfect therapy for when I hit a wall on another read. I can pick up a Sharpe story and knock it out in just a few sittings. "
— Dave, 10/16/2008" Not the best Sharpe novel, but most Sharpe books are 5 out of 5 stars and the series as a whole is also 5 out of 5 stars! If you want a book that will intrigue you in the first half, grip you in the second and explode at the end, you want Bernard Cornwell! "
— Benjamin, 8/30/2008" <br/>Not nearly as good as the original Sharpe books. Too much battles without Sharpe or any of his fury. "
— Kristin, 6/30/2008Bernard 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.
Paul McGann established his reputation as an actor in The Monocled Mutineer to both popular and critical acclaim. He has starred in Doctor Who, The One Who Got Away, The Hanging Gale, and Our Mutual Friend. His major film roles include Withnail and I, as well as Fairy Tale: A True Story, The Three Musketeers, The Rainbow, and Downtime. On stage he has appeared in Sabrina, A Life of the Mind, The Seagull, and the title role in Cain.