Product Description

Richard Sharpe and the French invasion of Galicia, January 1809. In the bitter winter of 1809 the French are winning the war in Spain and Britain's forces are retreating towards Corunna, with Napoleon's victorious armies in pursuit. Lieutenant Richard Sharpe and a detachment of Riflemen are cut off from the British army and surrounded by enemy troops. Their only hope of escape is to accept the help of an unlikely ally, a Spanish cavalry officer, Major Blas Vivar. Unknown to Sharpe, the Spaniard harbours a desperate and quixotic ambition which will lead to a suicidal assault on the holy city of Santiago de Compostela and a savage fight agains overwhelming French numbers. Sharpe's determination must be tested to its limit if victory is to be snatched from disaster. The Complete Sharpe Collection with a new introduction by the author

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4899 in Books
• Published on: 1994-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
'Consistently exciting! these are wonderful novels' Stephen King

About the Author
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.

Customer Reviews

Excellent
Sharpe's Rifles is the story of Richard Sharpe and the French invasion of Galicia. From the outset this is a fast-paced story of faith and determination that is hard to put down.

Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series is a fantastic example of engaging historical fiction. I especially like the historical note at the end of each book explaining which parts of the story were fiction and which were genuine events. These books bring the Peninsular War (and the Indian campaign) to life.

I recommend reading the books in chronological order - not always easy as there are new ones written quite often. Enjoy!

Winter action in Spain
Sharpe (by now a Lieutenant) is covering the retreat of the British army towards Corunna in the bitter winter of 1809. The French army is in relentless pursuit when Sharpe and his men become isolated and have to face an enemy of their own...

As with any Sharpe-novel, do not expect lots of philosophical ponderings or in-depth exploration of characters and emotions, but rather: a good plot, plenty of action, and Cornwell's easy story-telling talent that will keep you up at night, desperate to find out what happens on the next page!

The start of a great series of adventures
Although not the finest book in the Sharpe series, Sharpe's Rifles lays the foundation for the entirety of the Sharpe adventures. Cornwell manages to give the reader an informed opinion about all of the major characters, and also sets the scene for the Peninsular and Napoleonic conflicts that follow. Essential reading for anyone wanting to get into Sharpe, and for anyone who saw the TV series.....the books are far better!