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Richard Sharpe and the Talavera Campaign, July 1809.
Richard Sharpe, bold, professional and ruthless, goes to war. Once a private, now he leads his men into action in the bloodiest battle of the war. The danger is as great from his enemies on his own side as from those across the battlefield. But through treachery and gunsmoke, through swordfight and bloody warfare, Sharpe saves his own life and the honour of the regiment.
The Complete Sharpe Collection
with a new introduction by the author
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‘Sharpe and his creator are national treasures.' Sunday Telegraph
'Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail
'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer
‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive.’ George R.R. Martin
Bernard Cornwell worked for BBC TV for seven years, mostly as producer on the Nationwide programme, before taking charge of the Current Affairs department in Northern Ireland. In 1978 he became editor of Thames Television’s Thames at Six. Married to an American, he now lives in the United States.
However, the only thing that I would be worried about is the details about the characters which have been made incorrect as the series has developed, and that is unavoidable. What really matters is that the book is of the same high standard as found everywhere in the series.
Cornwell has the knack of providing plenty of background information, while not letting it flood the actual storyline. His attention to detail and description is beyond belief, and with almost casual ease he can place vivid images of the surrounding scenery and action in the reader's mind. His choice to have most of Sharpe's actual enemies, the ones he interacts with most, within the British army is inspired as it makes for a far more realistic experience and also provides Sharpe with a harder struggle to overcome. Sharpe has his foes amongst the French, make no mistake, but in Simmerson Cornwell is able to demonstrate the unfair system of promotion and power of the politicians in this period of British history.
I also liked the way that Cornwell doesn't paint the French as scruffy, ill-disciplined ruffians, in the way that a film-maker might be guilty of. This firstly makes gives the book another aspect of realism, but also makes Sharpe's victories more remarkable.
Finally, after the book, an appendix is provided by Cornwell in which he explains what actually happened, and how he altered events (subtly, I might add) to suit his story. This, as well as providing a useful history on the actual events, also goes to show just how well the author has researched his work.
I cannot recommend this enough.
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