Trapped with his back to the sea, Major Richard Sharpe and a handful of men must stand against a battalion of French troops.
Winter, 1814 – The invasion of France is under way, and the British Navy has called upon the services of Major Richard Sharpe. Sharpe’s mission seemed simple: capture a small unguarded French coastal fort, cripple Napoleon’s supply lines, and retreat across the sea. But behind the lines, Sharpe’s old enemy, Pierre Ducos, awaits Sharpe’s arrival with a battalion of French soldiers and a vicious commanding general who keeps the scalps of his dead enemies as trophies.
Outmaneuvered by Ducos’ treachery and abandoned by his own navy, Sharpe has only two choices: to escape with the aid of the charming, unscrupulous American mercenary, Cornelius Killick, or die.
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"It might be formulaic but Cornwell is a master of the historical warfare genre, particularly in its Napoleonic variation. The reader gets what he pays for: an exciting, page turning novel, where the end is never in doubt, but the way there is never clear."
— Edoardo (4 out of 5 stars)
“The novel’s true strength—beyond the tense drama of the combat scenes—lies in its skillful evocation of that era, the little touches of description and history that bring a way of life alive.”
— Washington Post Book World“[Has] the same combination of thorough research and narrative drive that distinguished its predecessors. It is a gripping read.”
— Independent (London)“Lots of derring-do. Sharpe is never dull.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Having read and loved Cornwell's Grail Quest trilogy, I decided to take a dip into his Sharpe series. I'm happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to the vast catalog that now lies before me. "
— Don, 2/1/2014" One of my favourite Sharpe books. "
— Lorelei, 1/31/2014" Fantastic read, Sharpe is sooo cool and I just love the books. "
— Ingrid, 1/25/2014" Bernard Cornwell brings a good story & History together wonderfully. "
— Stacy, 1/23/2014" Sharpe leads a diversionary force into France together with a group of riflemen and marines. As they are abandoned in France by the Royal Navy we get a glimpse into defensive fighting tactics of the time, portrayed by Sharpe and offensive tactics by general Calve. Definitely a good read. "
— Oleg, 1/10/2014" Went through it again, this time with the audiobook version. Another of the best in this 22 book series. "
— Ross, 1/7/2014" I really enjoyed this book! Sharpe is a great main character and I intend to read more in the series. "
— Andrea, 1/5/2014" More classic Sharpe!! If you have read previous Sharpe's this is a great on in the series. "
— Katie, 1/1/2014" This is #18 in the Richard Sharpe series. In my opinion it is the best (albeit the bloodiest) yet. "
— Nat, 12/19/2013" Another fun quick read. The ending was not really a "twist" but different enough to be pleasant. "
— Ryan, 12/18/2013" My favorite so far. Loved his personal conflict as he continues to come into his command. "
— Adam, 12/13/2013" This book was o.k, was slow at times. "
— Craig, 12/3/2013" 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, 11/29/2013" Just good stuff all around. Great action and emotionally moving moments in this volume of Sharpe's adventures! "
— Jesse, 10/30/2013" Richard Sharpe and the Winter Campaign, 1814 "
— Sara, 8/16/2013" Sharpe fights a desperate battle and looses a good friend. "
— Scott, 6/24/2013" A little slow, I enjoyed the Americans in it. Far different from the movie, which I enjoyed ver much, I think the book is actually closer to the mentalit of the time. "
— Isabel, 2/22/2013" Great read. Sharpe's first close encounter with the Royal Navy didn't go nearly as well as it should have. He should have worked with Capt. H. Hornblower... "
— Bob, 12/20/2012" Featuring one of the absolutely best minor characters in the Sharpe series - in fact if Cornwell ever wants to expand on him, I will be first in the queue to buy it: Sweet William. "
— Sho, 6/29/2012" great author who interweaves history into a story that is easily followed and hard to put down "
— Jason, 3/13/2012" This book was a mix of the usual Richard Sharpe action: part intrigue, part battle. I felt this book was lighter somehow, fewer pages with less historic detail. Overall, a fast and entertaining read. "
— Matthew, 1/28/2012" Another week, another Sharpe! "
— Bill, 11/21/2011" Featuring one of the absolutely best minor characters in the Sharpe series - in fact if Cornwell ever wants to expand on him, I will be first in the queue to buy it: Sweet William. "
— Sho, 6/11/2011" My favorite so far. Loved his personal conflict as he continues to come into his command. "
— Adam, 6/8/2011" As usual, the action is raw and ferocious. Sharpe tangles with a pompous British Naval officer, French spies, an American privateer, and the French Army in order to open the way into France for Wellington. "
— Bill, 4/18/2011" Great read. Sharpe's first close encounter with the Royal Navy didn't go nearly as well as it should have. He should have worked with Capt. H. Hornblower... "
— Bob, 10/12/2009" A little slow, I enjoyed the Americans in it. Far different from the movie, which I enjoyed ver much, I think the book is actually closer to the mentalit of the time. "
— Isabel, 3/20/2009" Richard Sharpe and the Winter Campaign, 1814 "
— Sara, 10/8/2008" Having read and loved Cornwell's Grail Quest trilogy, I decided to take a dip into his Sharpe series. I'm happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to the vast catalog that now lies before me. "
— Don, 3/9/2008Bernard 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.
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.