Rating: 
Summary: Well worth reading
Review: For anyone who has seen the Sharpe series on TV, I would strongly recommend reading the books. They are very different from the TV version, but just similar enough that you can hear Sean Bean uttering Sharpe's sentences. A must-read for fans, and a great novel for people who've never seen the TV version.
Rating:
Summary: Sharpe and Salamanca, 1812
Review: I always thought this one of the better Sharpe novels. After reading it again after seeing both the battlefield and city of Salamanca I was confirmed in this belief. The descriptions of the city of Salamanca are accurate. This is a lovely place, and Cornwell no doubt was moved by its beauty to impart these feelings into the novel. Sharpe's confrontation with Leroux is your standard bit we have come to expect in these novels. The action is well paced and quite good. Even Sharpe's affair with the mysterious "Golden Whore" while predictable is nicely done. The wound that he receives from Leroux is dramatically done, although I doubt he could have recovered so well in such a short time. Sharpe's pain and suffering in the Dying Room are thoughfully done. One almost feels his delirium. The central piece in the novel is the battle of Salamanca itself, sadly lacking in the TV version of the novel unfortunatly. Here Cornwell writes what he does best, battle descriptions. The violent ebb and flow of this epic confrontation shows Cornwell at his best. This was truly the deciding battle of the Peninsular War, and probably was the most balanced in terms of forces and troop qaulity on both sides. After having visited the battlefield, Cornwell's description falls nicely into place. Of course Sharpe saves the day as usual, but its believeable. One of the better novels in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Best in the Sharpe series so far
Review: I have been reading the Sharpe series "mostly in order". Sharpe's Sword, to my taste, was the best so far. Cornwell had really matured as a writer by this time. I would not have expected a description of a near-fatal wound and its effects on a character we absolutely KNOW is going to survive to be so riveting and stirring. As always, Cornwell's closing historical note is like dessert after a fine meal, or perhaps more correctly like the moment where a magician steps back to reveal his secrets -- and you're left more in awe than ever, wondering, "How does he do it?"I keep lists of the 20 to 40 books I read each year (anal, eh?), and this is the first in years I've given a full 5 stars. (I even forgive Mr. Cornwell now for the only regrettable book in the series so far, "Sharpe's Battle".) Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Best in the Sharpe series so far
Review: I have been reading the Sharpe series "mostly in order". Sharpe's Sword, to my taste, was the best so far. Cornwell had really matured as a writer by this time. I would not have expected a description of a near-fatal wound and its effects on a character we absolutely KNOW is going to survive to be so riveting and stirring. As always, Cornwell's closing historical note is like dessert after a fine meal, or perhaps more correctly like the moment where a magician steps back to reveal his secrets -- and you're left more in awe than ever, wondering, "How does he do it?" I keep lists of the 20 to 40 books I read each year (anal, eh?), and this is the first in years I've given a full 5 stars. (I even forgive Mr. Cornwell now for the only regrettable book in the series so far, "Sharpe's Battle".) Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The best Sharpe novel
Review: I've been reading through the entire series chronologically and up until now i've been hard pressed to pick a favorite. After reading Sharpe's Sword however i have a clear choice.
In Sharpe's Sword, Cornwell gives the reader his true best - putting together a plot so interesting that one can even claim that in this novel it trumps his ability at "battlefield writing" where i believe Cornwell is the best living author- and that's saying something.
If you want a good introduction to cornwell's writing ability and you don't mind starting most of the way through a series i highly recommend Sharpe's Sword.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best in the series!
Review: In order of publication, this is the 5th book in the Richard Sharpe series , but the 11th in a "timeline". As such , the author Bernard Cornwell has smoothed out his writing style to give Sharpe a lot more depth of character and a three dimensional aspect lacking in some of the earlier adventures. In addition to Richard Sharpe ,Major Hogan , Wellington , and Patrick Harper , there are many interesting new characters introduced--La Marquesa (Helena) , Lord Jack Spears , "El Mirador" , and of course a vile villian , Colonel Laroux. All of these characters are artfully blended to achieve an exciting military adventure in which our hero Sharpe is gravely wounded ,and is rescued by his friend Patrick Harper. After being nursed back to health , Sharpe seeks his vengance against the man who wounded him. The plot of this story involves a possible comprimise of the intelligence network of Major Michael Hogan and the possible exposure of his top agent , the mysterious El Mirador. Colonel Laroux , sent by Napoleon Bonaparte himself to destroy El Mirador , proves to be a ruthless enemy devoid of any honor. To reveal any more than this would indeed compromise the book's enjoyment for the reader , so I'll stop right here. This volume seems to have it all--excitement,intrigue,romance,and of course the inevitable battle action! Of the 11 volumes I have read in timeline order , this one is right at the top of "my list" along with "Sharpe's Tiger" and "Sharpe's Triumph" for sheer entertainment value and excitement! Five stars and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best in the series!
Review: In order of publication, this is the 5th book in the Richard Sharpe series , but the 11th in a "timeline". As such , the author Bernard Cornwell has smoothed out his writing style to give Sharpe a lot more depth of character and a three dimensional aspect lacking in some of the earlier adventures. In addition to Richard Sharpe ,Major Hogan , Wellington , and Patrick Harper , there are many interesting new characters introduced--La Marquesa (Helena) , Lord Jack Spears , "El Mirador" , and of course a vile villian , Colonel Laroux. All of these characters are artfully blended to achieve an exciting military adventure in which our hero Sharpe is gravely wounded ,and is rescued by his friend Patrick Harper. After being nursed back to health , Sharpe seeks his vengance against the man who wounded him. The plot of this story involves a possible comprimise of the intelligence network of Major Michael Hogan and the possible exposure of his top agent , the mysterious El Mirador. Colonel Laroux , sent by Napoleon Bonaparte himself to destroy El Mirador , proves to be a ruthless enemy devoid of any honor. To reveal any more than this would indeed compromise the book's enjoyment for the reader , so I'll stop right here. This volume seems to have it all--excitement,intrigue,romance,and of course the inevitable battle action! Of the 11 volumes I have read in timeline order , this one is right at the top of "my list" along with "Sharpe's Tiger" and "Sharpe's Triumph" for sheer entertainment value and excitement! Five stars and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: My 2nd favorite Sharpe's book
Review: This book had me from the start. The plot is more imaginative than many, and the battles are just as exciting. Helene adds a bit of excitement, also. The historical notes, as well as the way in which the facts were weaved into the novel, continue to increase my appreciation of Mr Cornwell. I hope the well is far from dry!
Rating:
Summary: This Series Never Fails to Disappoint!
Review: This book in the Sharpe series is one of my all time favorites because it illustrates the reguard that Sgt Harper has for his commanding officer. Wounded by a sadistic enemy officer, Sharpe's only hope lays in his friend Harper and Harper's construction of a replacement sword for Sharpe. While such a relationship between an officer and sgt probably was unheard of, it still makes a facinating read. One sees a strong resemblance between the Sharpe/Harper relationship and the Frodo/Sam relationship in the Lord of the Rings Series by Tolkien. Cornwell does a good job humanizing his characters in this book and making them seem so real to the reader.
Rating:
Summary: Sharpe and Harper: a true friendship revealed!
Review: This book in the Sharpe series is one of my all time favorites because it illustrates the reguard that Sgt Harper has for his commanding officer. Wounded by a sadistic enemy officer, Sharpe's only hope lays in his friend Harper and Harper's construction of a replacement sword for Sharpe. While such a relationship between an officer and sgt probably was unheard of, it still makes a facinating read. One sees a strong resemblance between the Sharpe/Harper relationship and the Frodo/Sam relationship in the Lord of the Rings Series by Tolkien. Cornwell does a good job humanizing his characters in this book and making them seem so real to the reader.
|
