Washington Post
"Combines those strengths that have come to characterize Bernard Cornwell's fiction'immaculate historical reconstruction and the ability to tell a ripping yarn."


From AudioFile
Captain Richard Sharpe commits a political blunder and may be court-martialed. Wellington makes a tactical blunder, however, and Sharpe helps win a victory in spite of it. Sharpe believes a soldier is remembered only for his last battle, and this one saves his career. William Gaminara is a remarkable narrator. Cornwell's novel relies more on description than conversation, and Gaminara manages it very well. He evokes the period, the characters, the raging conflict and engages the listener's full attention. In that era war involved personal suffering and bravery; through Gaminara's voice we feel the humor, comradeship and horror of Sharpe's campaign. D.M.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine



"Cornwell writes more gripping battle scenes than any other contemporary author."


Kirkus Reviews
"Cornwell writes more gripping battle scenes than any other contemporary author."


Book Description
As Napoleon threatens to crush Britain on the battlefield, Lt. Col. Richard Sharpe leads a ragtag army to exact personal revenge against a French general known for his acts of terror. Sharpe's Battle takes Richard Sharpe and his company back to the spring of 1811 and one of the most bitter battles of the Peninsular War, a battle on which all British hopes of victory in Spain will depend. Sharpe is given responsibility to lead an Irish battalion of the king of Spain's household guard, ceremonial troops untrained and unequipped for battle. While quartered in the crumbling fort of San Isidro, they are attacked by murderous Brigadier General Guy Luop's elite French brigade. Sharpe has witnessed General Loup's despicable was crimes before; to put an end to them, and to settle another more personal score, Sharpe must lead his company into the blood-gutted streets of Fuentes de OÑoro, where thousands of French troops have amassed, in a battle to the death.


About the Author
Bernard Cornwell is the author of the acclaimed Richard Sharpe series, set during the Napoleonic Wars; the Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles, about American Civil War; the Warlord Trilogy, about Arthurian England; and, most recently, Stonehenge 2000 B.C.: A Novel and The Archer's Tale. Mr. Cornwell lives with his wife on Cape Cod.

FROM OUR EDITORS

A captain in the British Army, Richard Sharpe is given responsibility for an Irish battalion of the king of Spain's household guard--poorly equipped ceremonial troops untrained for battle. In the crumbling fort of San Isidro, they are attacked by the Loup Brigade, an elite French unit commanded by General Guy Loup. This is not the first time Sharpe and Loup have tangled, and the Frenchman has become a powerful, dangerous enemy, bent on revenge. Sharpe finds himself used as a pawn in a game of political expediency, and after Loup's attack he is faced with the ruin of his career and reputation. The conflict between the two reaches a dramatic and violent showdown at Fuentes de Onoro, where Richard Sharpe's only hope is to redeem himself on the battlefield. "A marvelous mixture of fact and fiction concerning individual bravery and audacity amidst the everyday drama and turmoil of war."-- Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

ANNOTATION

In the Spring of 1811, one of the bitterest battles of the Peninsular War is about to commence. The hopes and hearts of the British are turned toward Spain, where victory will be won or lost. As Napoleon threatens to crush Britain in battle, Lt. Col. Richard Sharpe leads a ragtag army to exact a personal revenge. Map included.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Bernard Cornwell's novels featuring the adventures of Captain Richard Sharpe of the British Army in the wars against Napoleon have been bestsellers in England and have won praise for their vivid battle descriptions, fast-paced action, colorful characters, and authentic military detail. They have also been dramatized for television by Masterpiece Theatre. The series stars Sean Bean and will be aired initially in America during May 1995. This eagerly awaited new novel in the Sharpe series takes Richard Sharpe and his company back to the spring of 1811 and one of the bitterest battles of the Peninsular War, a battle on which all British hopes of victory in Spain will depend. Sharpe is given responsibility for an Irish battalion of the king of Spain's household guard, ceremonial troops who are poorly equipped and untrained for battle. While quartered in the crumbling fort of San Isidro, they are attacked by the Loup Brigade, an elite French unit commanded by the formidable Brigadier General Guy Loup. Sharpe has already clashed once with Loup, and the Frenchman has sworn that he will have his revenge. Sharpe finds himself used as a pawn in a game of political expediency, and after Loup's attack he is faced with the ruin of his career and reputation. With thousands of French troops massing at a tiny village nearby, Sharpe's only hope is to redeem himself on the battlefield. To save his honor he must lead his men to glory on the blood-glutted streets of Fuentes de Onoro and settle his private war with General Loup.

FROM THE CRITICS

Washington Post

Combines those strengths that have come to characterize Bernard Cornwell's fiction'immaculate historical reconstruction and the ability to tell a ripping yarn.

AudioFile - Debra M. Whitney