Sharpe's Regiment (Sharpe's Adventures (Audio))

Rating:
Summary: A Welcome Break from Portugal and Spain
Review: Cornwell's Napoleonic war series takes a break from the action in Spain to send Major Sharpe, his boon companion Sgt. Harper and two other trusted officers back to England to find out why they haven't been getting any recruits. Without new recruits, the South Essex regiment has fallen to dangerously understrength size and could be disbanded. They arrive in London to discover some shady dealings afoot, pay and provisions are being drawn from the army for men who are neither at the barracks or en route to Spain. Sharpe and Harper are forced to go undercover as raw recruits to discover the whereabouts of the missing men, and who's skimming the money. Along the way Sharpe runs into many characters from past adventures, including a big sister type from his street urchin days, his old commander Lawford who is now in government, his old nemesis Sir Henry Simmerson, and his personal English Rose, the lovely Jane Gibbons. He also meets and charms the airheaded Prince of Wales, and makes yet another dangerous enemy in Lord Fenner. It's a novel departure from the normal army action we're used to in the series, and Cornwell treats the reader to many neat tidbits about how recruiting worked, and how susceptible the system was to corruption. Of course, since it's a Sharpe book, there is a rousing battle finale as the army pushes into France.

Rating:
Summary: Lacks the Homely feeling of France and Spain.
Review: In this book Richard Sharpe and companions travel to England, the whole book (bar an epilogue and an introduction) is set in England. Personally I didn't like it at first, it lacked the French connection which, to me, is a major factor that makes the Sharpe series so great.
This book lacks the intense action of other Sharpe books and focuses more on the homefront. Sharpe is sent back to England to find recruits for the South Essex regiment, he quickly discovers that his task is not going to be as easy as he thought. His rifle is replaced by his mind and his sword, his wits.
He has to fight on a new battlefield, a politicians battlefield. To some this would seem an interesting twist in the Sharpe saga, to me it seemed to detract from it, I like the action and detailed description of battles. But being part of the Sharpe series I felt compelled to read it and this is the last book (at present) where the British are still fighting in Spain, this book kicks open the door to the next set of books, Sharpe in France.
3 Stars only, not the best Sharpe but Sharpe nonetheless

Rating:
Summary: Lacks the Homely feeling of France and Spain.
Review: In this book Richard Sharpe and companions travel to England, the whole book (bar an epilogue and an introduction) is set in England. Personally I didn't like it at first, it lacked the French connection which, to me, is a major factor that makes the Sharpe series so great.
This book lacks the intense action of other Sharpe books and focuses more on the homefront. Sharpe is sent back to England to find recruits for the South Essex regiment, he quickly discovers that his task is not going to be as easy as he thought. His rifle is replaced by his mind and his sword, his wits.
He has to fight on a new battlefield, a politicians battlefield. To some this would seem an interesting twist in the Sharpe saga, to me it seemed to detract from it, I like the action and detailed description of battles. But being part of the Sharpe series I felt compelled to read it and this is the last book (at present) where the British are still fighting in Spain, this book kicks open the door to the next set of books, Sharpe in France.
3 Stars only, not the best Sharpe but Sharpe nonetheless

Rating:
Summary: Sharpe returns home to fight a different kind of battle.

Review: Major Sharpe finds himself in Spain in June 1913 without promised reinforcements, which have mysteriously disappeared. He journeys to England, Sergeant Harper by his side, to find out what became of them. Along the way, he uncovers an old enemy, the cowardly Sir Henry Simmerson, and a new one, the duplicitous Lord Fenner, who have connived to deceive everyone from Wellington to the Prince of Wales. Naturally, even though besotted by love for Sir Henry's niece, Jane Gibbons, Sharpe perseveres to uncover the treachery.

Rating:
Summary: Book for brain disabled but with healthy, national heart!
Review: One of the things that I enjoy about Cornwell's Sharpe novels is the real picture the reader gets of the life and times of the common soldier. In this book, Sharpe is forced to return to England to find out why his army is not receiving new troops to replace the ones who have been lost to French lead. His quest forces both he and Patrick Harper to go undercover as new recruits in order to expose former Col. Henry Simmerson. The reader gets a real feel of how a soldier was recruited and trained during this time period in England. The book also brings in the Prince of Wales whose addoration of Sharpe earns the regiment the new name of the Prince of Wales Own! I just can't get enough of Richard Sharpe!

Rating:
Summary: Sharpe Wins On The Battlefield And Back In England
Review: The latest installment of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series has Major Richard Sharpe, a rifle officer of the South Essex Regiment, battling with corrupt politicians and crooked military officers. He is sent to England to fetch fresh recruits for his division. While at home he discovers a plot to sell his recruits to the highest bidder. Naturally he must foil these underhanded crooks and bring back recruits to his depleted regiment back in Spain. Surprisingly there are no battles (until the very end) , and Sharpe must outflank some crafty politicians using methods that he is not accustomed to. An interesting note is that this book includes a small view of Sharpe's personal history.

Bernard Cornwell writes good books. He is fun to read and his stores are always packed with adventure, action and intrigue. As with all of Sharpe books they keep you interested until the end. I have trouble putting them down. Cornwell's style is fast paced plots and snappy dialog, you may guess the ending but who cares, half the fun is getting there.

If this is your first Sharpe book don't let it be your last, "Sharpe's Eagle" and "Sharpe's Company" are among the best in the series. However, all of Cornwell's Sharpe books are good reads, you will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Sharpe Wins On The Battlefield And Back In England
Review: The latest installment of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series has Major Richard Sharpe, a rifle officer of the South Essex Regiment, battling with corrupt politicians and crooked military officers. He is sent to England to fetch fresh recruits for his division. While at home he discovers a plot to sell his recruits to the highest bidder. Naturally he must foil these underhanded crooks and bring back recruits to his depleted regiment back in Spain. Surprisingly there are no battles (until the very end) , and Sharpe must outflank some crafty politicians using methods that he is not accustomed to. An interesting note is that this book includes a small view of Sharpe's personal history.

Bernard Cornwell writes good books. He is fun to read and his stores are always packed with adventure, action and intrigue. As with all of Sharpe books they keep you interested until the end. I have trouble putting them down. Cornwell's style is fast paced plots and snappy dialog, you may guess the ending but who cares, half the fun is getting there.

If this is your first Sharpe book don't let it be your last, "Sharpe's Eagle" and "Sharpe's Company" are among the best in the series. However, all of Cornwell's Sharpe books are good reads, you will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced action
Review: While there is some action in northern Spain and the invasion of southern France, in between the novel deals with the pecculations in the British Army circa 1813. The use of crimps was a common practice to supply crews for merchant ships (see Charles Tyng's "Before the Wind"). The Royal Navy used press gangs (see "John Nicol, Mariner"), but the British Army of that time period did not have authority to draft or press men. Consequently, the less popular regiments resorted to crimps to supplement the efforts of their recruiting sergeants. Up to the early 20th century, losses to disease were high in addition to battle casualties. A constant supply of new recruits was necessary.

When replacements for the South Essex fail to arrive in Spain, Major Sharpe is sent back to England to investigate accompanied by Patrick Harper, recently promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), and two junior officers. This leads to the immediate problem of finding the missing Second Battalion of the South Essex. Sharpe and Harper are old campaigners, rough individuals with many skills and willing to kill enemies - definitely not to be trifled with. Finding the battalion is one thing, but getting the replacements to Spain is another matter. Crimping has been carried to extreme heights involving highly placed people. Trained companies are being sold to the highest bidder to fill the needs of other regiments. Sharpe may be a skilled combat soldier, but he is not a diplomat and is unwilling to compromise. It helps to be a hero in favor with the Prince of Wales, but his real assistance comes from unexpected allies.

A side trip takes Sharpe into the St. Giles slum of his youth to dispose of a bagfull of diamonds acquired as spoils after the Battle of Vitoria. This provides an interesting view of the underside of sociey where life is cheap, and some commentary on Sharpe's early beginnings.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced action
Review: While there is some action in northern Spain and the invasion of southern France, in between the novel deals with the pecculations in the British Army circa 1813. The use of crimps was a common practice to supply crews for merchant ships (see Charles Tyng's "Before the Wind"). The Royal Navy used press gangs (see "John Nicol, Mariner"), but the British Army of that time period did not have authority to draft or press men. Consequently, the less popular regiments resorted to crimps to supplement the efforts of their recruiting sergeants. Up to the early 20th century, losses to disease were high in addition to battle casualties. A constant supply of new recruits was necessary.

When replacements for the South Essex fail to arrive in Spain, Major Sharpe is sent back to England to investigate accompanied by Patrick Harper, recently promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), and two junior officers. This leads to the immediate problem of finding the missing Second Battalion of the South Essex. Sharpe and Harper are old campaigners, rough individuals with many skills and willing to kill enemies - definitely not to be trifled with. Finding the battalion is one thing, but getting the replacements to Spain is another matter. Crimping has been carried to extreme heights involving highly placed people. Trained companies are being sold to the highest bidder to fill the needs of other regiments. Sharpe may be a skilled combat soldier, but he is not a diplomat and is unwilling to compromise. It helps to be a hero in favor with the Prince of Wales, but his real assistance comes from unexpected allies.

A side trip takes Sharpe into the St. Giles slum of his youth to dispose of a bagfull of diamonds acquired as spoils after the Battle of Vitoria. This provides an interesting view of the underside of sociey where life is cheap, and some commentary on Sharpe's early beginnings.