Sharpe's Eagle

Bernard Cornwell

Aug 2004 · Richard Sharpe series Book 2 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The first book in Bernard Cornwell's epic Sharpe series, which completely transports the reader to an unforgettable time and place in history.

At Talavera in July of 1809, Captain Richard Sharpe, bold, professional, and ruthless, prepares to lead his men against the armies of Napoleon into what will be the bloodiest battle of the war. Sharpe has earned his captaincy, but there are others, such as the foppish Lieutenant Gibbons and his uncle, Colonel Henry Simmerson, who have bought their commissions despite their incompetence.

After their cowardly loss of the regiment's colors, their resentment toward the upstart Sharpe turns to treachery, and Sharpe must battle his way through sword fights and bloody warfare to redeem the honor of his regiment by capturing the most valued prize in the French Army—a golden Imperial Eagle, the standard touched by the hand of Napoleon himself.

Ratings and reviews

Eighth in the Richard Sharpe historical military fiction series with this particular selection revolving around the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal against the French and the battle at Talavera on July 27 and 28, 1809. My Take There is something so real about Cornwell's treatment of the Peninuslar War as we read through Richard Sharpe's actions and thoughts. I love that we experience this war through a common soldier's eyes, his experiences, his feelings. It makes each battle, the survival of each day more viscerally real. We feel Richard's frustrations with the chain of command, with the stupid system of purchasing promotions, of nepotism, of political connections being more important than merit. As well, it's an incredible and vastly irritating contrast between officers and enlisted, between the upper class and the nothing. It's another argument for nature and nurture with no advantage being held by either "side". This is the first novel in which Cornwell portrays the Spanish army as bumbling idiots incapable of organizing a party in a brewery. As accurate as he is in so many other portrayals, Cornwell does twist facts to suit his story so I am curious as to how truly bad the Spanish were. It's just so hard to believe that any leader can be so incredibly incompetent as General Cuesta not wanting to battle because the men are tired and allowing the French army to more than double its size. I just don't understand that. So, I had better suss out some books on the Spanish perspective. It will be most irritating if the primary reason for this kind of behavior and the Spanish avoiding fulfilling their side of the bargain with their English allies being simply one of pride. Gawd, how lovely is it when Col. Lawford takes over the battalion!! I love reading how Sharpe inspires the men. He has learned so much since his first promotion. He leads by example and by understanding what will motivate them. He understands what is necessary and what can be ignored. Sharpe has compassion. A man who never received compassion as a child or a young man. Who worked his way up in a system that continually thrust him down. You can't help but admire Richard Sharpe. And that's before you think of Sean Bean playing him...sigh... The Story Captain Hogan needs to blow up another bridge and usually Sharpe and his men would be a big enough escort but politics insists that a Spanish regiment escort Hogan and Wellesley feels a British regiment must go as well. Unfortunately for Sharpe, Simmerson's South Essex is the general's choice; fortunately for Sharpe, he is under orders to obey Hogan and not Simmerson. A fact that Simmerson hates and immediately challenges Sharpe with an impossibility. To teach the South Essex to fire three or four shots in one minute. A challenge that only Sharpe can twist back on the old bugger! And Sharpe continues to show Simmerson up. Rescuing the regiment's Colour when Simmerson abandoned it. Saving the day when Simmerson cut off their retreat and abandoned his own men and wounded. Putting down the mutiny before it happens. Saving the battle when Simmerson deserts. Even as his nephew and cohort, Lt. Berry, abuse Gibbons' woman again and again. The Characters Richard Sharpe is just hanging on as a lieutenant; Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson does not like to be made a fool of--he does such a good job all on his own. Sergeant Patrick Harper has gotten comfortable with his rank and with his commanding officer. They are friends and they watch each other's back. The rest of his men who are mentioned include Pendleton, Daniel Hagman, Gataker, and Jedediah Horrell. Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson has raised a battalion with his own money--the South Essex. It's the ideal opportunity for Simmerson to show Wellesley how to properly run a war. All spitshine and discipline with perfectly ordered rows of polished soldiers. Lieutenant Christian Gibbons is Simmerson's toady, lackey, nephew, and arrogant

Beautifully written for a first book!

About the author

Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series takes its hero to the battle of Waterloo--and beyond. Several novels are the basis of a television miniseries. He was born in London and lives in Chatham, Massachusetts.