Declare Of Books Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6)
| Title | : | Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6) |
| Author | : | Bernard Cornwell |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 304 pages |
| Published | : | February 1st 2001 by Penguin Books (first published 1988) |
| Categories | : | Historical. Historical Fiction. Fiction. War. Adventure. Military Fiction |
Bernard Cornwell
Paperback | Pages: 304 pages Rating: 4.24 | 14222 Users | 374 Reviews
Ilustration In Pursuance Of Books Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6)
Sharpe knew himself to be a tough man, but he had always thought of himself as a reasonable one, yet now, in the mirror of William’s nervousness, he saw himself as something far worse: a bullying man who would use the small authority of his rank to frighten men…In February 1809 the British army under Sir John Moore is routed by Napoleon’s forces and is in retreat to the port of La Coruna in North-west Spain’s Galicia region, hoping to escape in Dunkirk-fashion back to England. Lieutenant Richard Sharpe and the men of the 95th Rifles under his command become separated from the bulk of the troops, and are trapped at a river crossing, saved by Spanish Cazadores, led by the charismatic aristocrat Don Blas Vivar.
Sharpe wants to head south to the border with Portugal to join the British garrison at Lisbon, a decision at odds with his men who distrust an officer risen from the ranks, and he is equally despised by officers of allied armies and the enemy alike. Vivar enlists them to first head west to accompany his men carrying a strongbox which, the Riflemen believe, contains gold and jewels to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy. Progress is slow and arduous, avoiding the roads, and they encounter a gutted village where they see at first hand the savagery of the French against the peasants.
They journeyed through the night, climbing ever higher and always into the teeth of a wind that brought the chill from the snow which lay in the gullies of the upper slopes. Past midnight, from a wooded spur, Sharpe saw the far off gleam of the western sea. Much closer, and beneath him in the dark tangle of the lowlands, a smear of camp fires betrayed where men were bivouacked. ‘The French,’ Vivar said softly.
Vivar, a passionately religious man, rails against Sharpe (an agnostic), but then they are side-tracked by an English couple and their niece, dour Methodist missionaries, there to convert the Spanish away from Papism, with little success.
The French are persistent and Sharpe realises that they are after the coveted strongbox they have been duped to protect. Finally, in a high country fortress disused for centuries, Vivar reveals its contents and their destination as the city of Santiago (St James – the patron saint of Spain) de Compostello (field of stars), which he is to use as a rallying point, invoking the spirit of St James to help the Spanish rid the country of the French, as he had nine centuries earlier against the Moors. Naturally, some Spaniards disagree, seeing the French as “enlightened and progressive”.
This is a novel on many levels, binding history with fiction. At its centre, a brilliant soldier and tactician, leadership thrust upon him yet with barely the skills to lead, who needs to gain the respect of his men. The reader follows his progress, from self-doubt to victory in battle (and there are several of those). Secondly, there is the attention to detail, of weaponry and uniform - the Riflesmen’s tattered rags and boot soles wound with twine, contrasting with the finery of the enemy. We learn what they eat (bare rations supplemented from what they glean from the land or are given by villagers). Then there are the smells of warfare: blood, vomit, horses chaffed and ridden almost to death and taking the brunt of the attack (not recommended for animal lovers). Finally there is the location itself, Santiago de Compostello, the destination of pilgrim tracks from across Europe for 1200 years, now UNESCO-listed and visited by millions.
Verdict: a read to be savoured, not rushed.
Mention Books During Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6)
| ISBN: | 0140294295 (ISBN13: 9780140294293) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Sharpe #6, Richard Sharpe #9 |
| Characters: | Richard Sharpe, Patrick Harper, Michael Hogan, Daniel Hagman, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington |
| Setting: | Galicia,1809(Spain) |
Rating Of Books Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6)
Ratings: 4.24 From 14222 Users | 374 ReviewsWeigh Up Of Books Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe #6)
This book is a very fast read that you could finish in a day or two. The story is action packed and takes a turn when you are least expecting it. Sharpe and Harper's relationship development throughout the story is full of bumps along the road. Yet it flowers into a solid friendship that they both benefit from. This story follows how sharp being thrown into a uncomfortable position manages to make it work and earn the respect from his fellow soldiers.Though the beginning is slow and too detailed for my taste, the book provides a fascinating look into the routine of the English regiment during Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe's character evolves with the plot movement, and in a way his journey through French occupied Spain is his rite of passage: he grows up to become a leader of his men.
I've read many of his other series (Grail Quest, Saxon, Warlord, etc) but have not read any of the Sharpe's Rifles until now. Typically great fighting scenes, good characters, strong story. Brings the period to life. Now to find a bunch to acquire and read...eventually. 3 Stars
This read almost like an origins story for Sharpe. It shows how he first took command of the Rifles, how Sergeant Harper because his best friend, and how the British army began the long process of driving Napoleon and the French out of Spain. The best thing about this book by far was actually nothing to do with Sharpe -- it was the way the author describes the uprising against the French. The way the Spanish peasants ambush and savagely assault the regular French troops has a disturbingly modern
My first introduction to Richard Sharpe, soldier & reluctant officer. This is the book that tells how Sharpe ended up as the Leader of his Rifle contingent. I know little of the battles in this era (1809) between Britain & France or Spain & France, so always interesting to me to learn something new. Cornwell definitely paints the gritty picture of difficult marches & bloody battles with the weaponry of the day. I found myself invested in the lives of the main characters, although
Adore the new covers (even if they don't match the rest of my Sharpe books) and found Sharpe's Rifles to be the same enjoyable Sharpe tale I've come to love. I couldn't put it down, but did feel that Sharpe was quite a bit more surly and churlish in this novel, but with the similar brashness as before. Never quite trusted the love interest either, but I've come to learn that where Sharpe and women are concerned, it rarely ends well. Harper is already fantastic and my favourite part of the book
When people ask about the Sharpe series I usually refer them to this title. It's not the best but is very good. All the elements of the series are there. You get a good sense of Sharpe as a character. there's good character development non stop action and Cornwell patiented battle writing style.
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