Product Description

Major Sharpe should be fighting the French -- but his worst enemies are in England! Major Richard Sharpe's men were in mortal danger -- not from the French, but from the bureaucrats of Whitehall. Unless reinforcements could be brought from England, the depleted South Essex would be disbanded, their troops scattered throughout the army. Determined not to see his regiment die, Sharpe returns to England and uncovers a nest of well-bred, high-ranking traitors, any one of whom could utterly destroy his career with a word, or a stroke of the pen. Sharpe is forced into the most desperate gamble of his life -- and not even the influence of the Prince Regent may be enough to save him!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14955 in Books
• Published on: 1987-02-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'A splendid new instalment in the long-running and increasingly impressive saga' Sunday Express 'The best thing to happen to military heroes since Hornblower' Daily Express

About the Author
Bernard Cornwell was born in London, raised in Essex and now lives in the USA. In addition to the Sharpe series, he is the author of the Arthurian series, the Warlord Chronicles; the Starbuck Chronicles on the American Civil War; Stonehenge; Gallows Thief; the Grail Quest series; and his new series, set during the reign of King Alfred. His latest novel is Azincourt.

Customer Reviews

The best in the long running series
When I first read this book a few years ago, I was slightly disapointed that it wasn't set in Spain, and was not expecting it to be great. However it turned out to be a fantastic read and I now regard it as my favourite. As the previous reviewer pointed out it is ironic that Sharpe and Harper have to re-enlist, another irony is they get mixed up in a dark world of intrigue, as deadly as any battlefield, despite being back home. Cornwells descriptions of London slums contrasted with the opulence of the prince regent at court are brilliantly crafted. Characters such as cautious and sly politicians, harsh drill sergeants and raw recruits seem to " walk off" the page. Excellent

Sharpe's Difference - but lacks action of others
Sharpe novels, as a rule, follow a strict template. A battle at the start, Sharpe being persecuted but winning, and a battle at the end. 'Sharpe's Regiment' takes the long running series in a different direction by taking Sharpe away from the battle field and placing him back in England.

Napoleon has retreated to France and a lull has occurred in the war. Sharpe believed that his regiment was being given reinforcements but it turns out that someone is selling his men to other regiments. It's up to Sharpe and Harper to stop fighting the old enemy and concentrates on the enemy within. Who needs enemies with friends like these?

I enjoyed this novel as a great diversion from the usual action packed battles and tales of revenge. The description of corruption and everyday life in England was very vivid. The reason I feel this was only an average novel was that the differences that made the novel stand out form the rest of the series, also stole the action that makes them so great.

As a Sharpe fan this is a great book to get to see the character's develop, but also as a fan book ending the novel with two out of place battles did not make up for the fact that I felt it lacked the urgency and excitement of many of the other Sharpe adventures.

A change of scenery
Some people weren't as keen on this as a bit of a change of scenery and more politics than battles, however I thought this showed how Sharpe has grown, and how he is more than just a soldier now. Of course Sharpie does it in his own way, and there are still fights and love interests, but it does also show London at the time, and gives a real insight in how Wellingtons campaign never really hit home to the normal people without the benefit of TV and cinema. I enjoyed this book, sad that there are only 4 more to read!