When you read the back of the book👌 You could do audiobooks with that voice. The only historical fiction I've read was City of Thieves by David Benioff. Which I really liked. I love a bloody tale that's straight to the point.
I just finished this book on your recommendation, and I'm so pleasantly surprised! Thank you so much! I do love history, but I had never read a novel set in India and I've never studied this period in history. I appreciated how Cornwell added a whole "chapter" at the end to talk about the historical context and the liberties he took when pertinent. The characters are definitely compelling, you quickly get attached to them. I really loved Sharpe and Lawford's growing relationship. Will we see Colonel Gudin again? I'd love to know more about him. Or even Mary? I really enjoyed the part she had to play. And Obadiah is such a rat, but his thought process is so ridiculous that you can't help but find him laughable and just plain pathetic. Cornwell's prose is indeed straight-forward, but so eloquent at the same time, and I really admired that. His writing style reminded me of Joe Abercrombie's. Just like this author, Cornwell doesn't hold back when it's needed, but he makes it bearable to read, and his humor sprinkled throughout the book helped alleviate the heaviness of the reality of war. I can't wait to read more from this author and I'd love to watch the TV show. Would you recommend it as well? Hakeswill is exactly how I pictured him, but I imagined Sharpe with brown hair for some reason haha. :P
Not only do 'God Save the Queen' and 'My Country tis of Thee' share a tune, so does the old national anthem of Imperial Germany - 'Heil dir im Siegerkranz'.
I've read all of the sharps books and I would say sharps Waterloo which is almost to the end is one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. I just wish there were more books about the Napoleonic wars that were written this good.
I have read them all and have the new one, Sharpes Assassin (published in Sept 2021) waiting for me. I also have the complete TV series on DVD. Wonderful stuff!!
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria have you seen the TV series? Despite not fitting the description in the books, Sean Bean IS Richard Sharpe!! Jason Salkey, who played Harris in the TV series has a fantastic book out called, I think, "From Crimea With Love". It is about the making of the TV series. A real eye-opener and a brilliant read. In a recent interview, Bernard Cornwell said that he thought that he had 3 or 4 more Sharpe books in him.
I absolutely love this review ! Could you please read and review the rest of the series ( I know, there are like 20odd books) I'm currently on book 4. Sharpe's Trafalgar. 👍🏻 Great content.
Thank you for the review sir! I will certainly be ordering a copy of this. For those that don't know the Folio Society will be putting out a uniquely illustrated high-end edition for sale in the next couple of weeks or so. I am going to be picking up a copy from them if it doesn't break the bank too bad (their books range from $50-$140 on average with most being around $70ish). Sounds like a great read!
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria It will be out this week on the Folio Society Website. Look for it tomorrow or Wednesday. foliosociety.com I am pumped to pick up a copy.
I recently found that about 15 of these are included in the US audible plus catalog and started them after finishing Warlord Chronicles (Which was excellent). Having finished Sharpe’s Tiger and half of sharpe’s triumph…ohhh the hate I have for Sargent Obadiah Hakeswell. I think it’s surpassed Cornwell’s Lancelot. Really like these books. Thanks for putting me on them randomly when you went on a rant about Forlorn Hopes discussing that powder mage novella
yessssssssssssssss I'm so glad you started these!! (and based on my Forlorn Hope discussion even better!) Have you finished Triumph yet?? Hakeswill is literally my most hated villain in fiction
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria yes I did! Enjoyed it, except for you know, the one part. Knew it was coming for that character when his inner monologue was all about looking forward to his expedient and blissful/servant retirement plans. Can’t say he’s my most hated villain in fiction yet, still never felt more visceral hate than for Kyle from Hobb’s Liveships Traders..and he’s not even really a villain just human.
Hey Allen, I recently purchased most of the Sharpe books and was interested in your recommended reading order. I see online ppl suggesting either pub or chron order. Also I see ppl recommending starting with the Peninsular Wars first in chron order (starting w Sharpes Rifle). And then there are those who say u can read any of them in and out of order, that they pretty much stand on their own. Would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria cool my personal favourite is sharpes enemy just after he becomes a major I must admit the first couple in India I found abit hard going this might be because I started off watching the TV series years ago with Sean bean as sharpe. Did you know cornwall added to sharpes backstory after watching Sean bean play sharpe. He was originally from London but bean is from Yorkshire so he added abut where sharpe ran away to the country side to accommodate the accent I can't remember which book that was mentioned in but it was one of the infiller ones since he wrote them out of chronological order
True but Wellington fought the battle outnumbered and gunned because he knew the Prussians were coming so he had to hold he own until then which he did. Also what no one can imagine is the reverse happening as Blucher wasn’t a good enough commander to have held on until British help. Ultimately an allied victory but certainly Wellington probably deserves more credit than Blucher.
I’ve been keen to read this series! Every time I walk past the books I’m intrigued!
Ya sold me on them
They're so good!
When you read the back of the book👌
You could do audiobooks with that voice.
The only historical fiction I've read was City of Thieves by David Benioff. Which I really liked.
I love a bloody tale that's straight to the point.
I'll check that one out!
I just finished this book on your recommendation, and I'm so pleasantly surprised! Thank you so much! I do love history, but I had never read a novel set in India and I've never studied this period in history. I appreciated how Cornwell added a whole "chapter" at the end to talk about the historical context and the liberties he took when pertinent.
The characters are definitely compelling, you quickly get attached to them. I really loved Sharpe and Lawford's growing relationship. Will we see Colonel Gudin again? I'd love to know more about him. Or even Mary? I really enjoyed the part she had to play. And Obadiah is such a rat, but his thought process is so ridiculous that you can't help but find him laughable and just plain pathetic.
Cornwell's prose is indeed straight-forward, but so eloquent at the same time, and I really admired that. His writing style reminded me of Joe Abercrombie's. Just like this author, Cornwell doesn't hold back when it's needed, but he makes it bearable to read, and his humor sprinkled throughout the book helped alleviate the heaviness of the reality of war.
I can't wait to read more from this author and I'd love to watch the TV show. Would you recommend it as well? Hakeswill is exactly how I pictured him, but I imagined Sharpe with brown hair for some reason haha. :P
I also imagined Sharpe with dark hair!
I'm so glad you liked it! Cornwell really does a great job.
Love your content m8 keep up the good work! These books were what drew me to the army
If that review doesn't do it for anyone, I don't know what will. Lovely presentation. Your enthusiasm blasted off the screen.
Thank you! I'm actually re-reading Triumph right now so will hopefully get another one of these out!
Please do more sharpe, really enjoyed this one.
Good review mate!
Ever read the Aubrey/Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brian? They are the pinnacle of historical fiction.
Cheers.
Not only do 'God Save the Queen' and 'My Country tis of Thee' share a tune, so does the old national anthem of Imperial Germany - 'Heil dir im Siegerkranz'.
!!
do you like Tom Petty?
This review was true soldiering
Not gonna lie, you had me at the intro.
😂😂😂😂
This was the first Sharpe book i read and its fantastic. The first few books based on the indian campaign is fantastic
I've read all of the sharps books and I would say sharps Waterloo which is almost to the end is one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. I just wish there were more books about the Napoleonic wars that were written this good.
I need to read that badly!
My brother! Please help. Do I need to read all the way up or can I read sharp #1 THEN jump to Waterloo?
@jonathanself6985 they're not connected enough. You're fine jumping to Waterloo
Bernard Cornwell is my favorite author!
Great review. Bernard Cornwell is a brilliant writer.
Thank you and completely agree. I just recently finished his Warlord Chronicles and it was amazing as well.
Thank you and completely agree. I just recently finished his Warlord Chronicles and it was amazing as well.
I have read them all and have the new one, Sharpes Assassin (published in Sept 2021) waiting for me. I also have the complete TV series on DVD. Wonderful stuff!!
Fantastic! I've read about half the series and I hope to finish it next year!
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria have you seen the TV series? Despite not fitting the description in the books, Sean Bean IS Richard Sharpe!! Jason Salkey, who played Harris in the TV series has a fantastic book out called, I think, "From Crimea With Love". It is about the making of the TV series. A real eye-opener and a brilliant read. In a recent interview, Bernard Cornwell said that he thought that he had 3 or 4 more Sharpe books in him.
I absolutely love this review ! Could you please read and review the rest of the series ( I know, there are like 20odd books) I'm currently on book 4. Sharpe's Trafalgar. 👍🏻 Great content.
I definitely want to. I haven't had a chance to continue my re-reads but I'm hoping to continue it soon!
I might make this my next Cormwell series to start after being rather underwhelmed by Grail Quest.
Thumbs up for your English accent 🏴 and using the word "Rapscallion".👍
Thank you!
Thank you for the review sir! I will certainly be ordering a copy of this. For those that don't know the Folio Society will be putting out a uniquely illustrated high-end edition for sale in the next couple of weeks or so. I am going to be picking up a copy from them if it doesn't break the bank too bad (their books range from $50-$140 on average with most being around $70ish). Sounds like a great read!
Oh my gosh where is the Folio Sharpe????
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria It will be out this week on the Folio Society Website. Look for it tomorrow or Wednesday. foliosociety.com I am pumped to pick up a copy.
I recently found that about 15 of these are included in the US audible plus catalog and started them after finishing Warlord Chronicles (Which was excellent). Having finished Sharpe’s Tiger and half of sharpe’s triumph…ohhh the hate I have for Sargent Obadiah Hakeswell. I think it’s surpassed Cornwell’s Lancelot. Really like these books. Thanks for putting me on them randomly when you went on a rant about Forlorn Hopes discussing that powder mage novella
yessssssssssssssss I'm so glad you started these!! (and based on my Forlorn Hope discussion even better!) Have you finished Triumph yet?? Hakeswill is literally my most hated villain in fiction
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria yes I did! Enjoyed it, except for you know, the one part. Knew it was coming for that character when his inner monologue was all about looking forward to his expedient and blissful/servant retirement plans. Can’t say he’s my most hated villain in fiction yet, still never felt more visceral hate than for Kyle from Hobb’s Liveships Traders..and he’s not even really a villain just human.
Ahhh I have not yet read Liveship but I have heard tale Kyle
Hey Allen, I recently purchased most of the Sharpe books and was interested in your recommended reading order. I see online ppl suggesting either pub or chron order. Also I see ppl recommending starting with the Peninsular Wars first in chron order (starting w Sharpes Rifle). And then there are those who say u can read any of them in and out of order, that they pretty much stand on their own. Would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Definitely chronological order I’d say
Saluted with the wrong hand at the start. Flogging offence. Says so in the scriptures...
Oh no!!! I thought I was so careful!!
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria You can only salute with your cap on.
You got to listen to the Audiobooks. Hakeswill's voice is perfect.
Do you recommend starting here with the Sharpe books or sticking to publishing order? Loved the review!
I definitely recommend starting with Tiger! That way you see Sharpe's climb as it happens!
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria Thanks so much!
Died laughing everytime he said Srirangapatam instead of Srirangapatanam 😂. Good review though
That was one of its Anglicized names under the British Raj! 😀
Are you going to do the rest of the series at some point new one comes out end of the month
I am! I haven't yet been able to continue, but I definitely want to. I'm hoping to do my Triumph re-read soon!
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria cool my personal favourite is sharpes enemy just after he becomes a major I must admit the first couple in India I found abit hard going this might be because I started off watching the TV series years ago with Sean bean as sharpe. Did you know cornwall added to sharpes backstory after watching Sean bean play sharpe. He was originally from London but bean is from Yorkshire so he added abut where sharpe ran away to the country side to accommodate the accent I can't remember which book that was mentioned in but it was one of the infiller ones since he wrote them out of chronological order
That is awesome I didn't know that! My first Sharpe was Tiger, so I didn't have any of the time jump problems and then I saw the show after!
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria trafalgar is another odd but good one cornwall really wanted sharpe to meet Nelson so had to find a sneaky way to do it
Yes! I really liked Trafalgar!
Yes you definately hate Hakeswill but what a villain!!!! I literally would look forward to his next scene. Says so in the Scriptures
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Same, though. One of the best villains ever.
@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria I am currently reading Sharpe's Trafalgar and I miss Hakeswill already
Spurgeon!!
Blucher saved Wellingtons arse at Waterloo. It was the Prussians that ultimately won Waterloo.
Accurate! In with the history factoid! Thanks!
Yeah the prusisans flanked napoleon and routed the French
True but Wellington fought the battle outnumbered and gunned because he knew the Prussians were coming so he had to hold he own until then which he did. Also what no one can imagine is the reverse happening as Blucher wasn’t a good enough commander to have held on until British help. Ultimately an allied victory but certainly Wellington probably deserves more credit than Blucher.
Not tru