The Sharpe Series (1) - Sharpe's Tiger: The Siege of Seringapatam, 1799 [Hardcover]

“What makes these books such a successful formula is the blend of action, well-researched historical setting, colourful characterization and a juicy sub-plot”
The Times

The prequel to the series, describing Sharpe’s experiences in India.

When a senior British officer is captured by the Tippoo of Mysore’s forces, Sharpe is offered a chance to attempt a rescue, which in turn offers an escape from the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill.

But in fleeing Hakeswill, Sharpe enters the exotic and dangerous world of the Tippoo. An adventure that will require all of his wits just to stay alive, let alone save the British army from catastrophe.

Soldier, hero, rogue – Sharpe is the man you always want on your side. Born in poverty, he joined the army to escape jail and climbed the ranks by sheer brutal courage. He knows no other family than the regiment of the 95th Rifles whose green jacket he proudly wears.

When a senior British officer is captured by the Tippoo's forces Sharpe is offered a chance to attempt a rescue, a chance he snatches in order to escape from the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill. But in fleeing Hakeswill he enters the confusing, exotic and dangerous world of the Tippoo, and Sharpe will need all his wits just to stay alive, let alone save the British army from catastrophe. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Richard Sharpe was fed up. The army decided when he woke up, when he slept, when he ate, when he marched and when he was to sit about doing nothing and that was what he did most of the time, nothing. Hurry up and do nothing, that was the army's way of doing things, and he was fed up with it. He was bored and thinking of running. But half the natives were in British pay and would turn you in – and the other Indians were all fighting against the British and if he ran to them he would be forced to serve in their armies. So Sharpe kept on marching with the rest of the 33rd, heading for battle with the tiger troops of Mysore, the warriors of the Tipoo Sultan who was intent on driving the British from his land.

In this splendid tale of the Siege of Seringapatam, Bernard Cornwell takes Sharpe back to the time when he was an ordinary trooper, the King's shilling taken because he'd killed a man, ambition still to be awakened, subject to the whims of incompetent officers and the hatred of Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill.

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 and American, he now lives in the United States.