The Sharpe Companion

by Mark Adkin

This text is a guide to the historical and military background to the characters and events of the Sharpe novels.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military History, Reference, Historical, Fiction, Military Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Mark Adkin became a professional soldier in 1956. After leaving the British Army he was one of the last British District officers (in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands) and as the Caribbean Operations Staff Officer he participated in the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. He has written several books on military subjects, including Urgent Fury, Goose Green, Prisoner of the Turnip Heads and The Charge.

Reviews

[P.J. Cadavori]

In 1998 Mark Adkin published a “detailed historical and military guide to Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling series of Sharpe novels”. For those of us who have been enthralled by this series which sees Sharpe fighting from India to Europe, this is a “must have”. It is an exceptional survey of his battles, the characters he portrays and a more general social commentary of his times.

It follows a very clear format and deals with the background of each individual book in the order they were written. It is filled with maps, drawings, photographs of contemporary paintings and all sorts of interesting, highly detailed descriptions of uniforms, weapons and battle plans. For instance, there is a detailed comparison between a musket and a rifle which has pictures supported by text.

I found myself re-reading his novels with this book by my side. It is amazing how reference to The Sharp Companion suddenly brings a whole new perspective to the stories.

[James Crabtree]

This book serves to put into context the stories of the famous Sharpe series, which are set during the Napoleonic Wars. Adkin discusses the conduct of campaigns, recruiting, how British commissions worked, etc. It's a great book for someone interested in the Sharpe novels as well as someone who likes reading about warfare in the age of muskets and sword. It includes drawings and maps.

[Rachel White]

This was fun, detailed book for anyone who loves Sharpe! It provides the background and historical details that we all want to know!

It was fun to read about what was actually happening at these events in history and to be able to match this to what we read about Sharpe's adventures! Bernard Cornwell writes wonderful, gripping stories and Mark Adkin provides the background that we crave!

[Clare Shepherd]

Excellent companion to the Sharpe's books. It is well written by a military man. The book has excellent biographies of tgevreal personalities and fictional ones thatvapoear in the series. Maps and details of the battles are excellent.

[Pam Brown]

DNF. Cornwell provides enough factual detail to not only provide accuracy and authenticity but also to paint vivid pictures in the readers mind.

[russell barnes]

The main action from the Peninsula War, using the various Sharpe books as a chapter-led framework - although it doesn't include many of Cornwall's various prequels. I've revealed a little too much of my reading background there...

It's fairly light going, with lots of sideboxes with snippets of information breaking it all up and turning it into a pretty easy read. Top facts:
* Despite the fact Sean Bean made the role famous, Sharpe is a cor blimey Lahndahner, born within two roads of my old stomping grounds at Channel 4. If only I'd known that then, I'd have gone on pilgrimmage;
* Two of Wellington's most successful Exploring Officers were called Captain Somers Cock and Lieutenant Lovell Badcock. Actually, do you need any more facts once you know that?

[Stuart]

As it says this is an historical companion to accompany the series with a summary of each book plus maps and a huge variety of interesting facts about soldiers, treatment of the wounded, pay, duelling, personalities, punishments, weapons etc. It is well written and presented so that it is quite readable in its own right if you are keen on warfare about this period. Unfortunately as it was written in 1998, Cornwell added a few more novels which are not covered here.

[Mac.Hawk]

Essential companion to a large chunk of the Sharpe books. Covers...

Tiger, Rifles, Eagle, Gold, Battle, Company, Sword, Enemy, Honour, Regiment, Siege, Revenge, Waterloo & Devil

Plus a plethora of information relating to the periphery surrounding the events at the timeline of the books.

[David]

Obviously not novels, the Sharpe Companion books are interesting reading for anyone with a passing interest in the napoleonic wars. They're probably not going to help you pass any history degree, but are great for for a light diversion.

[Eddie]

A good backround historical perspective of the time of Sharpe

[Matthew]

Excellent companion to the Sharpe series.
Note: It does not include all the novels as it appears that Cornwell switched publishers with the series.