Sharpes Eagle (Sharpe's Eagle - Bernard Cornwell)

Member Name: sharpe106

Product:	Sharpe's Eagle - Bernard Cornwell
Date:	20/11/08 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well written with a good plot

Disadvantages: not so easy to get into for none fans

Sharpe's Eagle is part of a series of books by Bernard Cornwell, the series is based on a fictional British Soldier, Richard Sharpe during the 17/1800's, it is historically fiction based on real battles and sometimes real events during this time. The books where originally during the Napoleonic wars but Bernard Cornwell has since written about his time before this war.

This book is the 8th in the series in the Sharpe series and was published in 1981, by HarperCollins and is also available in audio book.

The Story

The 95th Rifles have returned to England, Sharpe and his men being separated from them are attached to a newly formed and inexperienced regiment the South Essex Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson, more used to the parade ground than the battlefield.

After being given an easy mission, to destroy a bridge the South Essex and their allies fail hopeless and are defeated by the enemy and they lose the Colours, Captain Lennox dying request is for Sharpe to capture an Imperial Eagle.

Sharpe rallies his men and captures a cannon and saves the South Essex from being completely destroyed and is gazetted Captain much to the hatred of Sir Henry Simmerson and his officers, who try to ruin Sharpe's career.

With the main battle looming and the incompetence of the officers showing Sharpe takes its upon himself to train the South Essex and lead them into battle to capture a Eagle to save his career and the South Essex regiment.

Main Characters

Richard Sharpe - Lieutenant/Captain in the British army, main character
Patrick Harper - Sergeant in the 95th
Sir Henry Simmerson - Commander South Essex regiment
Lieutenant Christian Gibbons - Sir Henry Simmerson nephew
Captain Lennox - Officer of the South Essex
Lieutenant Berry - Officer of the South Essex
Captain Hogan - Engineer and exploring officer

My Opinion

One of my favourite books in the series, a lot better than the TV series version of events, it is well written with good battle scenes as you would expect and is easy to get into with plenty going on and is well worth reading,

Summary: Bernard Cornwell at his best