Rating:  Summary: Swashbuckling Fun Review: I've been hearing about the Sharpe Series for years now and on an impulse the other week I picked up "Sharpe's Tiger," chronologically the first book in the series but not the first one written. I'm really pleased that I did.After a somewhat slow start, the book gains momentum and it's full speed ahead through to its thrilling finale. Sharpe is one of those characters that appeals to both men and women - he's a swashbuckling action hero with a sexy sort of charm. The novel is steeped in vivid depictions of battle, historical milieu, and a colorful cast of characters that includes one of the most dastardly villains I've come across in several years. Certainly not for the faint of heart, Cornwell's descriptions of battle carnage are brutal. I look forward to picking up the next installment. Great summer reading!
Rating:  Summary: A Fascinating Tale Of Military History Review: This is one book of more than a dozen about a man who rises in the ranks of the English military. He is the "Sharpe" referred to in the title. I have read them all and feel very fortunate to have done so. If you want a wonderful reading experience, read the Sharpe books in order. Wonderful characters, great history, compelling action, and all-in-all one of my all time favorite authors. Cornwell has written other historical fiction that are not "Sharpe" books and I did not like them half as well. But the "Sharpes" are without equal in the genre.
Rating:  Summary: The year is 1799 and India is burning with war. Review: Sharpe is part of a military expedition to push the ruthless Tippoo from his throne and kick the French out of India. The action is very realistic. You can almost smell the guns smoke, hear the screams of pain and feel the blood on your hands. Sharpe, and the other men in His Majesty's service, are looters and knife-fighters and DAMN good infantry. The plot is sound, the details are excellent and the characters make you feel anger and joy and sometimes even pride in their actions. Tippoo is a well balanced character who is the kind of leader I won't MIND fighting under. I'm not saying he is a NICE guy, but he does seem to care. Even the French Colonel seems to be somebody I would prefer to be commanded by than the British officers in this book. The author adds some humor too! "I'm a Scot," a sour voice spoke from the rear rank.
Rating:  Summary: Grrrrreat Review: This book was a breath of fresh air and a great begining to the Sharpe's in India series. I was disapointed with the last two novels (Sharpe's Trafalgar & Sharpe's Prey). I had missed Sharpe's Tiger for some reason and just picked it up and was VERY pleased. The story of Sharpe as a private under Haskwell, and the Tippoo was just plain first rate reading on a par with the best of the Sharpe series. No slow storyline, no useless characters, just action, adventure and plotting on a high note. Like Sharpe we find ourselves respecting his foes and wishing a better fate for them. This is the joy of the story. In an old comic (King Conan #7) the barbarian says "It is good for a man to have brave enemies so he can remember them after he has slain them." We see that same respect from Sharpe and the British Army in this battle. It will make you want to march with Sharpe (in text) through India. Buy it!
Rating:  Summary: Superb historical fiction Review: Bernard Cornwell tells of of the British Campaign in early 19th century India. I had no idea before this of the extent of the British involvement in that part of the world at that time. I was skeptical of the historical accuracy but after doing some research I discovered the mastery Mr. Cornwell has for historical accuracy and integrating his fictional characters into the historical action and making it exciting. This novel is well written and has spurred me on to read the rest of the series.
Rating:  Summary: Sharpe delivers Review: Having been a fan of the television episodes, I was eager to read the original books, and I was not disappointed. After finishing the book, I literally found myself waking up to dreams of soldiering in Wellesley's army---it really takes you there! My biggest complaint is directed towards some of the predictable characterizations, especially of the villain, Sergeant Hakeswill, and even sometimes Sharpe himself, who, though realistically rendered as a former criminal that discovers he is a born soldier, becomes a bit of a deus ex machina at critical points in the story. Sometimes I think these larger-than-life characterizations detract a bit from the gritty realism of army life (and death), but then I must simultaneously admit that I read this expecting a sort of epic yarn (oxymoron?), so I'm not totally displeased. In any case, Sharpe is a pleasure to read.
Rating:  Summary: WOW! Review: What a great book! Cornwell is an amazing adventure writer- every time I pick up one of this Sharpe books I have a hard time putting it down! This one is no exception!
Rating:  Summary: Superb Adventure! Review: This was my first experience with Bernard Cornwell, and I was most satisfied! Sharpe's Tiger is the first chronologically in the career of Richard Sharpe. He is a private in the British army and the action takes place in India around 1799. Cornwell is a good writer, and the story is superb. There are shades of Indiana Jones, as Sharpe is a resourceful and immensely likeable hero. There is adventure, suspense and superb characterizations. It was one of the most fun books I have read in a while, and I can't wait to read the next installment. Highly recommended for anyone who likes history or adventure.
Rating:  Summary: BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ WOW!!! Review: HAVING RECENTLY FINISHED THE EXCELLENT CIVIL WAR BOOK(BLOODY GROUND) BY MR CORNWELL ,I WAS EXPECTING TO BE LET DOWN BY THIS NEW BOOK SHARPES TIGER. HOWEVER THE BOOK BLEW ME AWAY, THE CHARACTER RICHARD SHARPE IS EVEN BETTER THAN NATHANIEL STARBUCK. THE BOOK HAS EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT DRAMA SUSPENSE COMEDY AND BRUTALITY. MR CROMWELLS DESCRIPTIONS OF BRUTAL EXECUTIONS AND WAR ARE EXTRAORDINARY PLUS HE SHOWS US ONE OF THE MOST VILE DESPICAble characters I HAVE EVER READ SGT HARESWILL. IF YOU LOVE EXCITING HISTORICAL DRAMA YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. I DEFY ANYONE TO READ IT AND NOT THOROUGHLY ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE. TOUCHE' MR CORNWELL YOU ARE AMAZING.
Rating:  Summary: The young Private Sharpe Review: Chronologically, this novel (copyrighted 1997) is the first in the series of novels about Richard Sharpe. It does not cover his early life (covered to some extent in "Sharpe's Regiment"), or his actual beginnings in the British Army, but starts somewhat abruptly with Private Sharpe serving in the 33rd's Light Company in India and contemplating desertion. It introduces the beginnings of Sharpe's contact with the odious Sergeant Hakeswill, a cowardly bully who becomes Sharpe's personal troll, riding his shoulder to torment him in later novels in the series. Hakeswill wants Sharpe's woman Mary (the widow of another sergeant), for his own evil purposes. Hakeswill conspires with Captain Morris, who is in need of money, to get rid of Sharpe on trumped up charges. Sharpe survives what might have been a death sentence when his lashing is stopped at 202, and he is sent off on a special mission. The woman eventually catches a bigger fish and goes her own way, free of both Sharpe and Hakeswill. She was not Sharpe's first woman (see "Sharpe's Regiment"), and will not be the last. The main plot concerns the defeat of the Muslim Tippoo at Seringapatam in 1799. The Tippoo ruled the Hindu state of Mysore, thanks to his late father's conquests, and was siding with the French. Various fictional characters and actions have been created to provide a place for Private Sharpe. The author has provided a map of Seringapatam, and his Historical Note at the end of the novel gives some of the actual history. Some unknown person did end up with the Tippoo's jewels, enough to retire in considerable comfort. Sharpe is ambitious and ends up a sergeant at a relatively young age. He will also discover that trolls are difficult to kill, and tend to hang onto a person once they have found someone to torment. Like most books in the Sharpe series, I would rate this novel PG-13 based on content.
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