Sharpe's Battle
1811,Fuentes de Onoro.
Published: 8 May 1995
ISBN 0-00-224307-5 (hardcover edition)
ISBN 0-00-647324-5 (paperback edition)
Sharpe's Battle is s very Good Sharpe book, not the best but very good Richard Sharpe Novel. Set in Peninsular war it may not be of the heights of Sharpe's Eagle, or Sharpe's Waterloo but it is still an excellent read,
We know what we are going to get with Bernard Cornwell's writing, fast paced, well researched action, and Sharpe's Battle is never going to disappoint in this regard. However we get some very nice character work with Colonel Claude Runciman at the beginning of the book.
We are also treated to Bernard's deepest insights into the Irish issues and see Hogan, Patrick Harper and Father Sarsfield come to the fore. Also in Loup we have a bad guy to dislike and even to fear.
The Battle of Fuentes de Onorotowards the end of Sharpe's Battle is well written, but unlike other Sharpe books much of the action is elsewhere and at times sit seems like another story in the same book.
All in all an excellent book and any gripes really come from having to find things to distinguish the different Sharpe books rather any lack of true enjoyment within the read.
Synopsis
In Sharpe's Battle, Captain Richard Sharpe is responsible has a run in with the frightening Brigadier-General Guy Loup. After Killing to of hi men for war crimes Richard is on Loups hit list.
He then has to train an Spanish/Irish ceremonial unit to combat readiness despite the manipulations of superior officers, french spies, irish unrest and the constant threat of Brigadier Guy Loup.
Sharpe ends up in trouble , and only the desperate Wellington finds himself in gives Sharpe the opportunity to redeem himself.
Sharpe's Battle - Main Characters
Captain Richard Sharpe
Sergeant Patrick Harper
Major Michael Hogan
Brigadier-General Guy Loup
Pierre Ducos
Dona Juanita de Elia
Lord Kiely
Colonel Claude Runciman
El Castrador
Father Sarsfield
Tom Garrard
Sharpe Books
Wise Words
"On no Hamlett was no Irishman, he was a fool"
- Captain Hogan
