Sharpe's Gold (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #9)

This is another entry on the Sharpe series. It is fun, entertaining and very readable. Cornwell's research is as excellent as usual. He takes some licenses for the shake of the story and continuity, but this is OK. Some people are outraged by the portrait of some of the real historical characters, but historical characters are rarely depicted accurately in historical fiction, so I think this can be forgiven. Besides, usually a more serious account of these characters is given at the end of the book on the Historical Note.

Many people insist in compare this series with Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander. I don't think this is fair for any of the series, they are different entities. What they have in common is that once you start you may get hooked and devour one book after another...

And in the literary world today that is a rare and marvelous thing

'Shapre's Gold' is another wonderful novel in the great Napoleonic war series. This time, Richard Sharpe is up against the French, Spanish paritsans, and Wellington's own military police. Wellington, desperate to defend his hold on Portugal, sends Sharpe on a special errand into Spain to collect hidden gold. Along the way Sharpe Sharpe falls in love with one of the partisans and manages to make an enemy of her intended husband. This, like most of Cornwell's Sharpe novels, is a novel that can take the reader back in time and place him at the heart of the action. The battle scenes, as usual, are first rate and Cornwell's ability to create characters is unmatched. If you love adventure or war novels this one will not dissappoint!

Sharpe and his rifles are sent on a quest by Wellington to retrieve some gold from deep within enemy territory that is held by the fanatical leader of the Spanish resistance forces. In the course of events he meets Teressa, blows up one of his own armies strongholds, and retrieves the gold Wellington needs to continue his war with Napoleone! An excellent read! Once again Cornwell distinguishes himself!

It is so difficult to find a CHRONOLOGICAL listing of the Sharpe's series. Amazon, show a chrono right here! All listings are ALPHABETICAL, which is USELESS! A library program called NOVELIST actually has a chronological listing. You really need it to read the series in proper sequence.

Another excellent Richard Sharpe adventure. These are to a formula, of course, but Cornwell's delightful asides and eye for detail lift them above the pack. Interesting villians, good minor roles, and of course the clever insertion of Sharpe into real history. (Not quite as outrageous as Flashman, but a good read indeed.)