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Sharpe #3
Sharpe's Fortress
1999, Hardcover, 304 pages
302 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
964 people are currently reading
3188 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
537 books19.3k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 479 reviews
April 4, 2024
You know exactly what you will get with each Sharpe book - good guys, bad guys, daring-do, intrigue and battles and bloodshed with a side of romance - and you know in the end Sharpe will win the day. The fun is going along for the ride and seeing how our hero gets himself over each obstacle put in his way. This is another exciting adventure from his early career and we get to find out how he gets his famous green uniform and sword that will be his signature during the Spanish and French campaigns to come, as well as more of his nemesis Hakeswill. Fortress is a perfect example of the genre.
September 19, 2025
Шарп е постигнал мечтата си - вече е офицер, макар и с най-ниския възможен чин. Това е изключително рядко за британската армия събитие - човек от долните армейски рангове да достигне толкова високо ниво във военната йерархия.
Естествено, това му носи само неприятности, другите офицери го търпят, но го презират явно и не го приемат в своя кръг. Същото е положението със сержанта и войниците от шотландския полк, към който е зачислен.
Кампанията на Уелингтън в Индия продължава и следва още една негова победа над войските на Махарата - тази при Аргаум.
След нея Шарп е натирен от полка си и е придаден към командира на обоза, капитан Торънс. Тук веднага се забърква в нови неприятности, пръст в които има и сержант Обадая Хейксуил, който не се е отказал да го убие и ограби.
А армията устремно напредва към последното препятствие пред британците - Гавилгхур. Ще падне ли тази непревземаема планинска крепост в ръцете им и на каква цена?
Цитат:
"The fox was in the hen-house. Feathers will fly." :)
Естествено, това му носи само неприятности, другите офицери го търпят, но го презират явно и не го приемат в своя кръг. Същото е положението със сержанта и войниците от шотландския полк, към който е зачислен.
Кампанията на Уелингтън в Индия продължава и следва още една негова победа над войските на Махарата - тази при Аргаум.
След нея Шарп е натирен от полка си и е придаден към командира на обоза, капитан Торънс. Тук веднага се забърква в нови неприятности, пръст в които има и сержант Обадая Хейксуил, който не се е отказал да го убие и ограби.
А армията устремно напредва към последното препятствие пред британците - Гавилгхур. Ще падне ли тази непревземаема планинска крепост в ръцете им и на каква цена?
Цитат:
"The fox was in the hen-house. Feathers will fly." :)
April 9, 2015
This historical novel is the third in the series about Ensign Richard Sharpe, a soldier in the British army. The story takes place in India in 1803. Sharpe is a good, strong soldier, a decent human being. Unfortunately, he encounters people who are not so decent.
The book is fast-paced, detailed, and give a great feeling about what it was like to be in the army two hundred years ago. It was hard, dirty, painful, hot, and sometimes lonely. Sharpe recently became an officer, but was never really accepted by his fellow officers because he earned the promotion through merit, rather than being born into the upper class. Nevertheless, Sharpe seems to be enjoying himself, in a very strange way.
I didn't read this book; I listened to the audiobook. William Gaminara is the narrator, and he is a fabulous actor. With his excellent accents and good pacing, his reading made the book very enjoyable!
The book is fast-paced, detailed, and give a great feeling about what it was like to be in the army two hundred years ago. It was hard, dirty, painful, hot, and sometimes lonely. Sharpe recently became an officer, but was never really accepted by his fellow officers because he earned the promotion through merit, rather than being born into the upper class. Nevertheless, Sharpe seems to be enjoying himself, in a very strange way.
I didn't read this book; I listened to the audiobook. William Gaminara is the narrator, and he is a fabulous actor. With his excellent accents and good pacing, his reading made the book very enjoyable!
May 5, 2018
Number three in the Sharpe series.
Sharpe, now Ensign Sharpe, is back conquering India for General Wellesley, again.
This time The Fortress of Gawilghur is in his sights. The Fortress of Gawilghur is generally believed, by the Indians, to be impregnable. But if the British are to be successful in their attempt to conquer India Gawilghur must be taken.
Being promoted to Ensign is what Sharpe has been dreaming of. The reality is proving to be very different. He is trapped in no man's land. He has lost the friendship of enlisted soldiers and is not welcomed by the officers. So Sharpe now has a point to prove to both the enlisted men and the officers.
Along the way Sharpe has his normal run ins with scurrilous Officers and not forgetting his arch nemesis, Obadiah Hakeswill.
Once again, Bernard Cornwell description of the battle that was the taking of Gawilghur makes you feel like your are right there in the midst of everything. All the horror that is war is laid bare for the reader.
As with any historical novel, the author has to take some liberties with historical facts. Cornwell corrects all his liberties in the appendix.
A terrific read.
Highly recommended.
Sharpe, now Ensign Sharpe, is back conquering India for General Wellesley, again.
This time The Fortress of Gawilghur is in his sights. The Fortress of Gawilghur is generally believed, by the Indians, to be impregnable. But if the British are to be successful in their attempt to conquer India Gawilghur must be taken.
Being promoted to Ensign is what Sharpe has been dreaming of. The reality is proving to be very different. He is trapped in no man's land. He has lost the friendship of enlisted soldiers and is not welcomed by the officers. So Sharpe now has a point to prove to both the enlisted men and the officers.
Along the way Sharpe has his normal run ins with scurrilous Officers and not forgetting his arch nemesis, Obadiah Hakeswill.
Once again, Bernard Cornwell description of the battle that was the taking of Gawilghur makes you feel like your are right there in the midst of everything. All the horror that is war is laid bare for the reader.
As with any historical novel, the author has to take some liberties with historical facts. Cornwell corrects all his liberties in the appendix.
A terrific read.
Highly recommended.
September 19, 2025
This book was an excellent action adventure story tempered with a realistic view of war as a slaughter fest with deaths and injured men returning home as wards of the parish. Richard Sharpe is involved in the seige of the nearly impossible to capture fortress of Gawilghur with a subplot of vengeance on some low life characters. The novel succeeds in being great as a historical novel because in your minds eye you are in India with a character you can cheer for. The appeal of such tales is that unlike in real life there is a sense of fairness because the villains get whats coming to them. In real life there are innocent people suffering injustice and some real dirtbags running free.
September 29, 2021
Read this book in 2006, and its the 3rd volume, chronologically, of the Richard Sharpe series.
Still in India and Sharpe promoted to officer, ensign, he finds himself within the army of Sir Arthur Wellesley.
When his old enemy, Sergeant Hakeswill, commits an act of treason, Sharpe will be committed to confront and defeat his enemy, and while doing this business he will be pulled towards the horror of the impregnable Gawilghur's ravine.
Very importantly is the Siege of Gawilghur, of December AD 1803, and its there where Sharpe has to fight for his life within the army to regain his confidence and authority as an officer.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous sequel of this great series, and that's why I like to call this particular episode: "Another Thrilling Indian Campaign"!
Still in India and Sharpe promoted to officer, ensign, he finds himself within the army of Sir Arthur Wellesley.
When his old enemy, Sergeant Hakeswill, commits an act of treason, Sharpe will be committed to confront and defeat his enemy, and while doing this business he will be pulled towards the horror of the impregnable Gawilghur's ravine.
Very importantly is the Siege of Gawilghur, of December AD 1803, and its there where Sharpe has to fight for his life within the army to regain his confidence and authority as an officer.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous sequel of this great series, and that's why I like to call this particular episode: "Another Thrilling Indian Campaign"!
December 4, 2013
A Masterfully Executed 5 Stars
Random Ramblings
After being disappointed by the previous book in the series, Sharpe's Fortress does not leave you wanting. While it's predecessor fails to provide sufficient detail of a famous battle, this novels lets you live the pain, drama and excitement of what has been called by some as a mere footnote to history. If you read Sharpe's Triumph and considered putting the series aside, please read this one before making your final decision.
This book receives a high recommendation from me. While it is part of a series, I believe it could be read on its own. While some of the characters reoccur, there is some background information given on previous dealings with those characters which help to reorient the readers of the series or inform the first time reader.
Plot summary
The majority of the book deals with the British assault on the fortress of Gawilghur in India. This fortress was considered to be impregnable and the assault on it was considered a fools errand. Having been given an officer commission by Arthur Wellesley, Ensign Richard Sharpe learns how difficult the transition from uncommissioned field soldier to commissioned officer can be. As in the previous novels, Sharpe is forced to deal with his rivals, Obadiah Hawkeswill, Major Dodd and an old foe in the shape of Major Morris reappears. The battles of the fortress and old rival commands the majority of the book.
The Good
The read lives the battle at Gawilghur. You are made to feel the hopelessness of the task at hand and are treated to masterfully crafted detail of the planning of the assault all the way to the thrilling conclusion. From reading the afterwards, Cornwell gives the impression that the battle of Gawilghur was treated as a minor and insignificant event. This may simply have been a result of the manner in which the battle concluded.
Cornwell is again masterful in his description of the action. The pace is brisk and siege is fully explored. I walked away from the book feeling as if I had a sense of what could have take place during the siege. The story unfold masterfully. This is HF action written at its best.
In this installment, the character of Richard Sharpe is more fully developed. The character is forced to deal with emotions and the anger and disappointment that when your dreams do not unravel as planned.
The Bad
As this is one of my few 5 Stars, I do not have much bad to say. My only real criticism is that some elements of the book have become formulaic after 3 books, fight Hawkswill, find a woman, make unlikely friends with some kid. That said, these elements do not form a major portion of the story and do not detract from the novel as a whole.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2.5
The majority of the story takes place on an active battlefield and sex does not play a significant role. There are several references to prostitutes in the story but no graphic discussions or descriptions. One character has a penchant for lounging completely naked but again, there is nothing graphic. A sexual encounter is implied on one occasion without any detail save that the parties were unclothed.
Language - 2
There is some minor use of adult language. The main character will swear from time to time but as a rule he tends to avoid it.
Violence - 4
Again, violence plays a key role in the book. There are hundreds of deaths in the story and many are moderately graphic and several more so. There are several instances where persons are murdered outside of the course of the battle and at least one is quite graphic as it involves a staged fight to the death. If you seek to avoid violence in your reading, this book will not be for you.
Random Ramblings
After being disappointed by the previous book in the series, Sharpe's Fortress does not leave you wanting. While it's predecessor fails to provide sufficient detail of a famous battle, this novels lets you live the pain, drama and excitement of what has been called by some as a mere footnote to history. If you read Sharpe's Triumph and considered putting the series aside, please read this one before making your final decision.
This book receives a high recommendation from me. While it is part of a series, I believe it could be read on its own. While some of the characters reoccur, there is some background information given on previous dealings with those characters which help to reorient the readers of the series or inform the first time reader.
Plot summary
The majority of the book deals with the British assault on the fortress of Gawilghur in India. This fortress was considered to be impregnable and the assault on it was considered a fools errand. Having been given an officer commission by Arthur Wellesley, Ensign Richard Sharpe learns how difficult the transition from uncommissioned field soldier to commissioned officer can be. As in the previous novels, Sharpe is forced to deal with his rivals, Obadiah Hawkeswill, Major Dodd and an old foe in the shape of Major Morris reappears. The battles of the fortress and old rival commands the majority of the book.
The Good
The read lives the battle at Gawilghur. You are made to feel the hopelessness of the task at hand and are treated to masterfully crafted detail of the planning of the assault all the way to the thrilling conclusion. From reading the afterwards, Cornwell gives the impression that the battle of Gawilghur was treated as a minor and insignificant event. This may simply have been a result of the manner in which the battle concluded.
Cornwell is again masterful in his description of the action. The pace is brisk and siege is fully explored. I walked away from the book feeling as if I had a sense of what could have take place during the siege. The story unfold masterfully. This is HF action written at its best.
In this installment, the character of Richard Sharpe is more fully developed. The character is forced to deal with emotions and the anger and disappointment that when your dreams do not unravel as planned.
The Bad
As this is one of my few 5 Stars, I do not have much bad to say. My only real criticism is that some elements of the book have become formulaic after 3 books, fight Hawkswill, find a woman, make unlikely friends with some kid. That said, these elements do not form a major portion of the story and do not detract from the novel as a whole.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2.5
The majority of the story takes place on an active battlefield and sex does not play a significant role. There are several references to prostitutes in the story but no graphic discussions or descriptions. One character has a penchant for lounging completely naked but again, there is nothing graphic. A sexual encounter is implied on one occasion without any detail save that the parties were unclothed.
Language - 2
There is some minor use of adult language. The main character will swear from time to time but as a rule he tends to avoid it.
Violence - 4
Again, violence plays a key role in the book. There are hundreds of deaths in the story and many are moderately graphic and several more so. There are several instances where persons are murdered outside of the course of the battle and at least one is quite graphic as it involves a staged fight to the death. If you seek to avoid violence in your reading, this book will not be for you.
July 25, 2022
Sharpe #3, another re-read.
This begins at the tailend of 1803 and takes place in India. The British under Wellesley, allied with the East India Company, have followed Dodd, his fellow traitors, and the Mahratta to an intimidating impregnable fortress called Gawilghur. Dodd and the gang hunker down, secure in the knowledge that no assault could ever breach the walls of Gawilghur. Thus begins an incredible siege.
Richard Sharpe is now a brand-spanking new ensign. He is learning that he should have been careful what he wished for. None of the enlisted respect him since he came up from the ranks; the officers look down upon him as a dirty peasant. The poor guy can't win for losing! He's a tenacious fellow, though. Knowing his character from the rest of the series, I enjoyed seeing Sharpe begin to develop into the character I know and love.
Sgt. Hakeswill plays a role in the plot, and he's up to his twitchy eyebrows in his psychotic malicious tricks. Gee whiz he's hateful! He always manages to gather to him the worst of humanity, too. But even cockroaches and rats tend to stay together.
If I am correctly recalling my first read-through of the series, this is the last time Sharpe is in India. The Napoleonic Wars should start in earnest with the next book. To me, that's when this series is at its best. These stories are so worth revisiting.
This begins at the tailend of 1803 and takes place in India. The British under Wellesley, allied with the East India Company, have followed Dodd, his fellow traitors, and the Mahratta to an intimidating impregnable fortress called Gawilghur. Dodd and the gang hunker down, secure in the knowledge that no assault could ever breach the walls of Gawilghur. Thus begins an incredible siege.
Richard Sharpe is now a brand-spanking new ensign. He is learning that he should have been careful what he wished for. None of the enlisted respect him since he came up from the ranks; the officers look down upon him as a dirty peasant. The poor guy can't win for losing! He's a tenacious fellow, though. Knowing his character from the rest of the series, I enjoyed seeing Sharpe begin to develop into the character I know and love.
Sgt. Hakeswill plays a role in the plot, and he's up to his twitchy eyebrows in his psychotic malicious tricks. Gee whiz he's hateful! He always manages to gather to him the worst of humanity, too. But even cockroaches and rats tend to stay together.
If I am correctly recalling my first read-through of the series, this is the last time Sharpe is in India. The Napoleonic Wars should start in earnest with the next book. To me, that's when this series is at its best. These stories are so worth revisiting.
March 3, 2019
The Indian trilogy wraps up brilliantly. if you have read the series you know what to expect by now. if not what you waiting for. there is a brief love interest, corrupt officers, and Sharpe single handily taking a impregnable fortress.
Mr. Sharpe is now a officer and a unhappy one at that. shuttled out of the Scottish brigade. and attached under a privileged, dishonest, ineffective supplies officer. Cornwell get a chance to do what he does best, denouncing the aristocracy of 17th century Brittan with everyone's favorite capable upstart as his juxtaposition. oh did I mention that Hakeswill is also attached to this crooked officer. both are selling supplies to the enemy. Sharpe figures them out very quickly and put a stop to it. But Hakeswill double-crosses Sharpe, surprising right? he has to kill more of those Jettis fellows. then gets revenge of his own. and sets out to prove that he can lead troops into battle and be a effective officer. icing on the cake is that he does it with his old regiment the 33rd. which he seizes by force from the bastard that had him flogged in Sharpe's Tiger Captain Morris. he catches up with William Dodd and Hakeswill in Gawilghur. the ending is a bit underwhelming when it comes to them. but it is really all about Sharpe leading troops into battle and glimpse of the elite skirmishing commander he will become.
Mr. Sharpe is now a officer and a unhappy one at that. shuttled out of the Scottish brigade. and attached under a privileged, dishonest, ineffective supplies officer. Cornwell get a chance to do what he does best, denouncing the aristocracy of 17th century Brittan with everyone's favorite capable upstart as his juxtaposition. oh did I mention that Hakeswill is also attached to this crooked officer. both are selling supplies to the enemy. Sharpe figures them out very quickly and put a stop to it. But Hakeswill double-crosses Sharpe, surprising right? he has to kill more of those Jettis fellows. then gets revenge of his own. and sets out to prove that he can lead troops into battle and be a effective officer. icing on the cake is that he does it with his old regiment the 33rd. which he seizes by force from the bastard that had him flogged in Sharpe's Tiger Captain Morris. he catches up with William Dodd and Hakeswill in Gawilghur. the ending is a bit underwhelming when it comes to them. but it is really all about Sharpe leading troops into battle and glimpse of the elite skirmishing commander he will become.
October 23, 2014
I liked the PBS series & found the books very enjoyable, but as an audio book, it really shined. Cornwell's historical afterwords, which set straight any inaccuracies, are wonderful, too. But take my star rating with a grain of salt. I didn't find this book quite as good as the others I've read, just liked it in this format better.
The story suffered from quite a bit of repetition at times. For instance, the area they assaulted must have been described half a dozen times until it not only bored, but confused me. There were several other points & motivations that were hammered half to death, too.
Sharpe's actions & motivations didn't always ring true. He was too cavalier in some situations & too untrusting in others. Still, if I just went with it, the story was excellent. As usual, Cornwell made the time, situation, & landscape pop into a realistic whole that practically transported me. I can't wait to see if the library has the next one & plan to 'read' more of Cornwell's books like this. He has quite a few that I've heard great things about.
The story suffered from quite a bit of repetition at times. For instance, the area they assaulted must have been described half a dozen times until it not only bored, but confused me. There were several other points & motivations that were hammered half to death, too.
Sharpe's actions & motivations didn't always ring true. He was too cavalier in some situations & too untrusting in others. Still, if I just went with it, the story was excellent. As usual, Cornwell made the time, situation, & landscape pop into a realistic whole that practically transported me. I can't wait to see if the library has the next one & plan to 'read' more of Cornwell's books like this. He has quite a few that I've heard great things about.
November 5, 2022
Last book of Richard Sharpe's time in India and he is not having a good time. Now promoted to ensign, he struggles to be an officer with his new squad's apathy towards him. He is soon relocated but can't seem to catch a break with more problems piling up. Yeah, Sharpe took no prisoners in this book.
March 30, 2023
One of the few unread Sharpe books that I overlooked during my series read through, aside from the very newest volumes that Cornwell recently put out. And can I just say how thrilled I am that he's revived the series? There I said it. I am.
August 27, 2021
Крепостта на Шарп трябва да падне: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/k...
Както споменах и в другите книги, фактически Корнуел проследява кариерата на Артър Уелсли, бъдещия триумфиращ херцог Уелингтън, а Шарп е лепилото, което сглабя действието. Още една невъзможна задача предстои на не твърде многобройните британски части, които досега са успявали да спечелят срещу превъзхождащите ги числено местни противници, но сега трябва да превземат крепостта Гауилгуир, за която казват: “Дори цяла Индия да падне, в Гауилгуир сърцето ѝ още ще тупти”. Там са се спасили разбитите индийци, пак там се е скрил предателят Дод, който ръководи своите непобедени части и вярва, че е безсмъртен след ред близки срещи със смъртта през годините. Там, в орловата крепост, той е убеден, че ще бъде недосегаем за своите сънародници, които имат доста причини да го обесят.
Унискорп ИК
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/k...
Както споменах и в другите книги, фактически Корнуел проследява кариерата на Артър Уелсли, бъдещия триумфиращ херцог Уелингтън, а Шарп е лепилото, което сглабя действието. Още една невъзможна задача предстои на не твърде многобройните британски части, които досега са успявали да спечелят срещу превъзхождащите ги числено местни противници, но сега трябва да превземат крепостта Гауилгуир, за която казват: “Дори цяла Индия да падне, в Гауилгуир сърцето ѝ още ще тупти”. Там са се спасили разбитите индийци, пак там се е скрил предателят Дод, който ръководи своите непобедени части и вярва, че е безсмъртен след ред близки срещи със смъртта през годините. Там, в орловата крепост, той е убеден, че ще бъде недосегаем за своите сънародници, които имат доста причини да го обесят.
Унискорп ИК
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/k...
September 30, 2025
The last, for now, Sharpe novel set in India. Basically, Sharpe (Napoleonic War Zelig) fights in the Battle/Capture of Gawilghur. Sharpe is a great character to map through the early 19th Century with. Three in and these aren't quite up to the Patrick O'Brien level, but they are still fun and fantastic.
July 17, 2022
I'm gonna be a broken record, and this was just more of the same completely gripping stuff as the last two books. This is the end to the India arc of the series, and I'm sad at that since it was such tremendous fun going on adventures in this setting that was like a version of the Wild West I never knew existed.
Cornwell continues to deliver heart-stopping, gritty battle scenes with incredibly high stakes, as well as odious villains and enemies you just love to hate. Combined with people on all sides who are decent and brave, and it's just such a great mixture of characters that keeps the proceedings lively and my emotions invested. This particular battle at the fortress of Gawilghur was so harrowing due to the geography of the setting that it's truly amazing this battle ever happened, and once again it was just a perfect subject for novelization.
I mostly did this one through immersion reading, and Rupert Farley is an audiobook god on the level of Steven Pacey -- his narration is not to be missed!!
Cornwell continues to deliver heart-stopping, gritty battle scenes with incredibly high stakes, as well as odious villains and enemies you just love to hate. Combined with people on all sides who are decent and brave, and it's just such a great mixture of characters that keeps the proceedings lively and my emotions invested. This particular battle at the fortress of Gawilghur was so harrowing due to the geography of the setting that it's truly amazing this battle ever happened, and once again it was just a perfect subject for novelization.
I mostly did this one through immersion reading, and Rupert Farley is an audiobook god on the level of Steven Pacey -- his narration is not to be missed!!
March 6, 2014
As I have been devouring a Sharpe a week, it is perhaps time to comment, for after this third volume the hero of the series is at last leaving India….
I must admit to being somewhat disappointed in Cornwall at first, but largely—on reflection—because he is not Patrick O’Brian … and I can hardly fault him for what he shares with the rest of the human race. O’Brianian expectations as to prose and scope set aside, Cornwall writes taut and tightly plotted novels, rich in necessary historical detail, about a conflict in a time and place I knew next to nothing about. The result has been, for me, engrossing, and I’ve determined to flesh out the backdrop to these Sharpes by seeking out a history of the British in India at the turn of the century. I’m also now intrigued by the Duke of Wellington….
Cornwall is a master of what Dumas did so brilliantly (and shamelessly) with the three musketeers … namely, have peripheral (never having existed) heroes play key roles in major historical events (or not, as when barely failing to avert the beheading of Charles I by tunneling to beneath his scaffold). Thus, Sharpe brings about the fall of the eponymous fortress of this third volume almost singlehandedly—a ghost from the fictional future assuring the actual future career of the Duke of Wellington…. All this takes a certain letting go of disbelief … but no real complaint, as I did this long ago with the divine Dumas.
That said, Sharpe’s tales have a much more contemporary flavor, and not only in the terseness of the language, carnage of the action and sometimes suspect sensationalism (as, when Indian janni “religious musclemen” drive enormous nails into the heads of condemned men with their bare hands). What I sense is the creeping of modern super-heroism into the adventures and misadventures of this child of a London whore avoided by every musket ball.…
Not criticizing. Definitely not grousing. Just some perspective on why I’m popping “Sharpe’s” like peanuts, happy that there are lots more in the bag.
I must admit to being somewhat disappointed in Cornwall at first, but largely—on reflection—because he is not Patrick O’Brian … and I can hardly fault him for what he shares with the rest of the human race. O’Brianian expectations as to prose and scope set aside, Cornwall writes taut and tightly plotted novels, rich in necessary historical detail, about a conflict in a time and place I knew next to nothing about. The result has been, for me, engrossing, and I’ve determined to flesh out the backdrop to these Sharpes by seeking out a history of the British in India at the turn of the century. I’m also now intrigued by the Duke of Wellington….
Cornwall is a master of what Dumas did so brilliantly (and shamelessly) with the three musketeers … namely, have peripheral (never having existed) heroes play key roles in major historical events (or not, as when barely failing to avert the beheading of Charles I by tunneling to beneath his scaffold). Thus, Sharpe brings about the fall of the eponymous fortress of this third volume almost singlehandedly—a ghost from the fictional future assuring the actual future career of the Duke of Wellington…. All this takes a certain letting go of disbelief … but no real complaint, as I did this long ago with the divine Dumas.
That said, Sharpe’s tales have a much more contemporary flavor, and not only in the terseness of the language, carnage of the action and sometimes suspect sensationalism (as, when Indian janni “religious musclemen” drive enormous nails into the heads of condemned men with their bare hands). What I sense is the creeping of modern super-heroism into the adventures and misadventures of this child of a London whore avoided by every musket ball.…
Not criticizing. Definitely not grousing. Just some perspective on why I’m popping “Sharpe’s” like peanuts, happy that there are lots more in the bag.
February 15, 2025
3 sterke stjerner! Plot blei litt vel 90-talls actionfilm te tider. Forfatteren va og litt rask i forklaringen av terreng, avstander, bygninger og folks plassering. Bildene eg bygde i hodet under lesingen måtte derfor omstrukteras ganske dramatisk flere ganger.
Ellers en veldig underholdende bok som va lett å komma gjennom. Har 16 bøker igjen i serien, og eg tippe mange blir lest på sikt!
Takkformeg
Ellers en veldig underholdende bok som va lett å komma gjennom. Har 16 bøker igjen i serien, og eg tippe mange blir lest på sikt!
Takkformeg
July 15, 2008
Perhaps my four stars is because I just finished and hated The Amber Spyglass, elevating Sharpe's Fortress to something greater than it was, but I think it is a lot more likely that I am just a fan of a good old-fashioned yarn full of action, one ethically complicated character and one truly nasty and imbalanced villain. Sharpe's Fortress has all that and Bernard Cornwell's muscular prose to boot.
Now I don't want to go all gooey over Cornwell's Sharpe series, it is nowhere near the quality of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series (at least I don't think so as I get ready to start book four in chronological order), but as historical novels this series is definitely a leader in the second tier.
The main reason is that "ethically complicated character" I mentioned. Richard Sharpe, currently Ensign in His Majesty's Infantry, is a bit of a bastard, but maybe it's better to say he's a bastard with a heart of rubies. He is capable of brutality that even some Nazis would have found difficult to engage in, but he is also equally capable of mercy, heroism, wit, wisdom and an hyperactive class consciousness.
He is no Luke Skywalker style do-gooder. He is in the world for himself and those precious few he deems worthy of his friendship and often misplaced trust. There is no higher cause that motivates Sharpe beyond the higher cause of sticking it to those bastards in the orphanage that made his life hell. So anyone who screws Sharpe, particularly the psychotic Obadiah Hakeswill needs must beware. He will get you and screw you right back exponentially.
I almost said this "ain't Shakespeare," but then I rethought that. It is very Shakespearean. Take Shakespeare's history plays and crank them out for beach reading and you've got The Richard Sharpe Series. Some books in the series promise to be better than Sharpe's Fortress, and some will undoubtedly suck in comparison, but it is definitely a series worth putting my reading time into. Sharpe's Trafalgar next. I can't wait.
Now I don't want to go all gooey over Cornwell's Sharpe series, it is nowhere near the quality of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series (at least I don't think so as I get ready to start book four in chronological order), but as historical novels this series is definitely a leader in the second tier.
The main reason is that "ethically complicated character" I mentioned. Richard Sharpe, currently Ensign in His Majesty's Infantry, is a bit of a bastard, but maybe it's better to say he's a bastard with a heart of rubies. He is capable of brutality that even some Nazis would have found difficult to engage in, but he is also equally capable of mercy, heroism, wit, wisdom and an hyperactive class consciousness.
He is no Luke Skywalker style do-gooder. He is in the world for himself and those precious few he deems worthy of his friendship and often misplaced trust. There is no higher cause that motivates Sharpe beyond the higher cause of sticking it to those bastards in the orphanage that made his life hell. So anyone who screws Sharpe, particularly the psychotic Obadiah Hakeswill needs must beware. He will get you and screw you right back exponentially.
I almost said this "ain't Shakespeare," but then I rethought that. It is very Shakespearean. Take Shakespeare's history plays and crank them out for beach reading and you've got The Richard Sharpe Series. Some books in the series promise to be better than Sharpe's Fortress, and some will undoubtedly suck in comparison, but it is definitely a series worth putting my reading time into. Sharpe's Trafalgar next. I can't wait.
June 26, 2015
I didn't think I'd much care for a battle story but it was more than just that and held my attention throughout. Also, Gawilghur was a battle in the Maratha Wars that I didn't really know anything about so it gave me an insight into that as well. One oddity was the references to Tipu Sultan as 'the Tippoo' in a couple of instances since as far as I know his name (not his title) was Tipu!
December 31, 2025
Brilliant plot. Loved that Sharpe was treated well by some friends( in the officers).
January 14, 2026
15,969 read. Engaging read with lots of action and not a lot of thinking. Good combo book to go with some harder core non-fiction being read simultaneously.
March 8, 2013
More reliably fun Sharpe stuff, this one concludes the trilogy of Sharpe's adventures in India with Sharpe confronting the seemingly unassailable fort of Gawilghur. Of course, the "impenetrable fortress" is a fun and familiar Cornwell plot element (I think my first one was Dunholm from Lords of the North) and you can be sure Sharpie doesn't mill about outside the walls kicking the dirt for 300 pages, although he still doesn't make enough puns on his own surname enough for me. Thusly this book focuses more on the siege aspect of land warfare of the time, which remarkably was very similar to what I read in another Cornwell novel set in the middle ages, Agincourt; you just shoot a big gun at what looks like the most forgiving part of the wall to cross until it collapses and then just run in with a bunch of guys and stab everyone to death. Obviously a book about this kind of thing is gonna be fun, right?
The Sharpe-Hakeswill death struggle continues on in more fascinating ways in this one. Some of the nastiest deeds in the series yet are perpetrated by both sides and it's just gross fun. Sharpe is not tolerating people's shit in this book and sometimes he even comes off as meaner than Hakeswill. That said, as fun as these two are the others in this book seemed kind of bland. I'm thinking back and I can't even remember some of these people's names, even though I finished the book last night. I don't know, maybe that's a testament more to my godawful memory than Cornwell's characters. I'm not even sure why Clare Wall was even in this book, the romance part was silly and she was utterly boring. As interesting and multifaceted as Cornwell can make his female characters (as in his Arthur stuff) sometimes he insists on including the bland damsel in distress with big doe eyes and it's just really dull. I'd rather just have those twenty pages of "romance" be Sharpe kicking people in the groin while calling them "sodding bastards". And I've dug myself into a horrible paragraph pit here and I don't feel like coming up with a segue.
Cornwell's writing, for me, most often breaks down into two groups; the fun but relatively shallow adventure stuff and the stuff where he's more inspired to deeper themes, characterization, plot, description, etc. This is obviously in the first group but they're both satisfying in their own ways. Man, these books are addicting. It's so easy to just pick one up and finish it in a sitting or two. Sharpe's utter lack of Mary-Sueness seems to keep it interesting every time. Next is Sharpe's Trafalgar. That should be fun, as I know embarrassingly little about naval stuff. Apparently Trafalgar was a big deal or something...?
The Sharpe-Hakeswill death struggle continues on in more fascinating ways in this one. Some of the nastiest deeds in the series yet are perpetrated by both sides and it's just gross fun. Sharpe is not tolerating people's shit in this book and sometimes he even comes off as meaner than Hakeswill. That said, as fun as these two are the others in this book seemed kind of bland. I'm thinking back and I can't even remember some of these people's names, even though I finished the book last night. I don't know, maybe that's a testament more to my godawful memory than Cornwell's characters. I'm not even sure why Clare Wall was even in this book, the romance part was silly and she was utterly boring. As interesting and multifaceted as Cornwell can make his female characters (as in his Arthur stuff) sometimes he insists on including the bland damsel in distress with big doe eyes and it's just really dull. I'd rather just have those twenty pages of "romance" be Sharpe kicking people in the groin while calling them "sodding bastards". And I've dug myself into a horrible paragraph pit here and I don't feel like coming up with a segue.
Cornwell's writing, for me, most often breaks down into two groups; the fun but relatively shallow adventure stuff and the stuff where he's more inspired to deeper themes, characterization, plot, description, etc. This is obviously in the first group but they're both satisfying in their own ways. Man, these books are addicting. It's so easy to just pick one up and finish it in a sitting or two. Sharpe's utter lack of Mary-Sueness seems to keep it interesting every time. Next is Sharpe's Trafalgar. That should be fun, as I know embarrassingly little about naval stuff. Apparently Trafalgar was a big deal or something...?
November 30, 2013
I wish I had read the Sharpe series in order but alas I have managed to jump all over the place as I obtained the books. This is the last book that takes place in India and is the first book that Sharpe is an officer albeit as a lowly Ensign. It is 1803 and Sharpe is with Sir Arthur Wellesley’s army closing in on the retreating Mahrattas in western India. The Mahrattas Army has entered the Impenetrable fortress Gawilghur that raises above the Deccan plains. Sharpe is having nothing but problems, his new regiment does not want a maverick Ensign, he is reassigned to the supply train where he finds Sergeant Hakiswill and friends stealing supplies and selling them to the Indian merchants. As you can imagine this leads Sharpe into danger and unwanted trouble, but he is mainly focus on getting into the fortress and killing Dodd the English traitor we encounter in the last book “Sharpe’s Triumph”. Sir Arthur set up to lay siege to the fortress as Sharpe also is seeking a way into the fortress. Cornwell is a master of the battle scene and he is at his best with the siege of Gawilghur. This book also solved my problem from later books in Portugal as to how Sharpe got his telescope from Sir Arthur. At the end of the book Sharpe is being sent to England to join the newly formed rifles in their green jackets. This was one of the books I had a hard time finding but finely got it in e-book format to play on my kindle app on my Ipad. I have greatly enjoyed the Sharpe series and it has frequently sent to off to the encyclopedia to look up information. I really enjoy the author’s note at the end of the book when Cornwell explains where he inserted Sharpe into the real history of the siege of Gawilghur.
November 2, 2023
Ok, the Sharpe series is rapidly becoming a favourite. Perfect palette cleanser between big fantasy tomes.
April 29, 2021
Wrapping up Sharpe's prequel India trilogy, and it did a very good job being engaging throughout and wrapping up the plots from the previous two books. It's worth noting that the female characters in this series (so far) are unbelievably bland and interchangeable and only exist so Sharpe can save them. Adventure novels, yada yada, but it could still be done better.
This book is a four star and not a five star because of how obviously it's a prequel, though. What is with authors making prequels and then saying to themselves, "hey, this character doesn't exist later on, so they *must* die?" it's unimaginative and predictable. And using Hakeswell as the villain for all three of these novels was a mistake, ESPECIALLY with how each time, Sharpe leaves him to be killed by some animal and then, inexplicably, the animals don't kill him. THREE BOOKS IN A ROW, BERNARD?! Unbelievable.
Onto Sharpe's next adventure, though. These books are consistently good adventure stories and I hope to like them better once it's more obvious that Cornwell was writing more organically.
This book is a four star and not a five star because of how obviously it's a prequel, though. What is with authors making prequels and then saying to themselves, "hey, this character doesn't exist later on, so they *must* die?" it's unimaginative and predictable. And using Hakeswell as the villain for all three of these novels was a mistake, ESPECIALLY with how each time, Sharpe leaves him to be killed by some animal and then, inexplicably, the animals don't kill him. THREE BOOKS IN A ROW, BERNARD?! Unbelievable.
Onto Sharpe's next adventure, though. These books are consistently good adventure stories and I hope to like them better once it's more obvious that Cornwell was writing more organically.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
I just finished a non-fiction that ties to the setting of this book, and so I thought it a good time to visit with Sharpe again while the landscape of India was still fresh in my mind.
The story covers the Siege of Gawilghur, a massive hilltop fort that has been unreachable for any invading Army. The British are determined to put an end to the defiance of the Maharatta and are determined to take them as Captain Dodd and his forces barricade themselves in this impregnable fort.
Sharp now wears the uniform of an Ensign, and acceptance of the other officers does not come easy. Friendless and miserable Sharpe finds himself lonely and questioning whether he really wants this position. His nemesis still plans his demise and his new position puts him out of the action.
Bernard Cornwell takes history and makes it readable and enjoyable. I recommend any of his books to those who love adventure and history.
The story covers the Siege of Gawilghur, a massive hilltop fort that has been unreachable for any invading Army. The British are determined to put an end to the defiance of the Maharatta and are determined to take them as Captain Dodd and his forces barricade themselves in this impregnable fort.
Sharp now wears the uniform of an Ensign, and acceptance of the other officers does not come easy. Friendless and miserable Sharpe finds himself lonely and questioning whether he really wants this position. His nemesis still plans his demise and his new position puts him out of the action.
Bernard Cornwell takes history and makes it readable and enjoyable. I recommend any of his books to those who love adventure and history.
June 24, 2024
“Richard Sharpe wanted to be a good officer. He truly did. He wanted it above all other things, but somehow it was just too difficult, like trying to light a tinderbox in a rain-filled wind.” (quote from the book)
Now that Mr. Richard Sharpe is an officer (Ensign), things are not quite what he was expecting. It also doesn’t help that the 74th don’t really want him. He just isn’t a part of the ‘family’. Then he is assigned to assist the captain of the bullock train. Things go from bad to worse as Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill is still around and working for the same captain. Hakeswill is a snake in the grass and one degenerate of a man.
“But he was also alive. Which meant some other men would soon be dead. Because Sharpe was more than alive. He was angry.” (quote from the book)
Treachery abounds in this book and Sharpe is betrayed once again. How he comes back from this betrayal is a sight to behold. Revenge is his plan and the siege of Gawilghur sets the stage for a bloody battle. All Richard wants to do is fight for he realizes he likes being a soldier, and he is good at it. He is also good at leading men. This was a defining moment for him.
I highly recommend this riveting and well researched series using historical figures and facts of the day.
December 17, 2024
Eminently readable, good fun.
August 3, 2017
If you ever get the chance to rent or buy SHARPE'S CHALLENGE on DVD, by all means take it! The story is a combination of all the adventures from SHARPE'S TIGER, SHARPE'S TRIUMPH, and SHARPE'S FORTRESS, plus they throw in a lot more romance and more interesting female characters who aren't in any of the novels.
Unfortunately, this last volume (FORTRESS) is probably the least interesting of the three India books. It's not that there's anything wrong with it, it's just that the ending is rather anticlimactic after all the buildup in the two earlier books. Sharpe and Dodd finally come face to face, but their showdown isn't nearly as exciting as it is in the movie. Sharpe runs into Sergeant Hakeswill, again, but the whole thing of Obadiah being beaten over and over and thrown to tigers, elephants, snakes, etc. is becoming almost pointless and silly by this time. Can't take Obadiah seriously as a villain if he keeps coming back from the dead. Says so in scriptures!
The one thing that really irritates me about these Sharpe books, as opposed to the TV movies, is the way women are portrayed. Sharpe's love interest in the last book betrays him and runs off the moment his back is turned -- because all pretty women are whores and thieves, doncha know. And then he has a new girl, and they have sex after knowing each other for about three days, and then at the end he passes her along to a buddy of his. Because Sharpe is so generous, and women are really just property to be given other men as proof of Sharpe's nobility, doncha know. The funny thing is, if you watch the movie SHARPE'S CHALLENGE, they add an English girl to the story, a colonel's daughter, and even though she's drop dead gorgeous and in love with Sharpe she's also portrayed as brave, determined, and conscientious. It's not that hard to create attractive women with strong personalities and compelling motivations. It's a basic part of storytelling. Women are just as interesting as men if you know how to write them correctly, Mr. Cornwell.
Says so in scriptures!
Unfortunately, this last volume (FORTRESS) is probably the least interesting of the three India books. It's not that there's anything wrong with it, it's just that the ending is rather anticlimactic after all the buildup in the two earlier books. Sharpe and Dodd finally come face to face, but their showdown isn't nearly as exciting as it is in the movie. Sharpe runs into Sergeant Hakeswill, again, but the whole thing of Obadiah being beaten over and over and thrown to tigers, elephants, snakes, etc. is becoming almost pointless and silly by this time. Can't take Obadiah seriously as a villain if he keeps coming back from the dead. Says so in scriptures!
The one thing that really irritates me about these Sharpe books, as opposed to the TV movies, is the way women are portrayed. Sharpe's love interest in the last book betrays him and runs off the moment his back is turned -- because all pretty women are whores and thieves, doncha know. And then he has a new girl, and they have sex after knowing each other for about three days, and then at the end he passes her along to a buddy of his. Because Sharpe is so generous, and women are really just property to be given other men as proof of Sharpe's nobility, doncha know. The funny thing is, if you watch the movie SHARPE'S CHALLENGE, they add an English girl to the story, a colonel's daughter, and even though she's drop dead gorgeous and in love with Sharpe she's also portrayed as brave, determined, and conscientious. It's not that hard to create attractive women with strong personalities and compelling motivations. It's a basic part of storytelling. Women are just as interesting as men if you know how to write them correctly, Mr. Cornwell.
Says so in scriptures!
February 5, 2012
The third book in the series, a direct sequel to Sharpe's Triumph. Still in India (1803), Sharpe takes part in the brief battle of Argaum before performing a heroic pivotal role in the siege of the supposedly impregnable fort at Gawilghur. Sharpe is still in pursuit of the traitor Dodd, but his old enemy Hakesswill is on Sharpe’s trail, so treachery is everywhere.
This is very fine historical fiction. Cornwell knows how to recreate the past; every character, no matter how brief his stay will turn out to be, is presented as if he will be a long-term concern, with foibles, motives and distinguishing characteristics. The mechanics of the 1803 weaponry are presented with as much meticulous attention to detail as are the politics and rivalries between officers, companies and armies in India. In short, it brings the period to life in a vivid and colorful way, adding intrigue and suspense to the mix deftly. I do wonder, though, how likely it is that Sharpe could beat Captain Morris, his superior officer, half to death (Morris waits for orders rather than allow Sharpe to go off on his own initiative to scale the walls, and this enrages Sharpe) and get away with it. (Sharpe also murders a corrupt captain in the night --- no, he’s no by-the-book noble hero!) At times the action is over the top with distinct shades of James Bond (the deathtraps like fighting jettis in an arena, seducing one girl after another, etc), but of course that’s what Cornwell has set out to do. My one quibble is that Sharpe, after vowing to make sure Hakeswill dies this time, does the typical serial adventure thing and leaves him to die, which is of course not the same thing at all and sets it up for the inevitable sequel.
This is very fine historical fiction. Cornwell knows how to recreate the past; every character, no matter how brief his stay will turn out to be, is presented as if he will be a long-term concern, with foibles, motives and distinguishing characteristics. The mechanics of the 1803 weaponry are presented with as much meticulous attention to detail as are the politics and rivalries between officers, companies and armies in India. In short, it brings the period to life in a vivid and colorful way, adding intrigue and suspense to the mix deftly. I do wonder, though, how likely it is that Sharpe could beat Captain Morris, his superior officer, half to death (Morris waits for orders rather than allow Sharpe to go off on his own initiative to scale the walls, and this enrages Sharpe) and get away with it. (Sharpe also murders a corrupt captain in the night --- no, he’s no by-the-book noble hero!) At times the action is over the top with distinct shades of James Bond (the deathtraps like fighting jettis in an arena, seducing one girl after another, etc), but of course that’s what Cornwell has set out to do. My one quibble is that Sharpe, after vowing to make sure Hakeswill dies this time, does the typical serial adventure thing and leaves him to die, which is of course not the same thing at all and sets it up for the inevitable sequel.
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