Sharpe's Eagle - Bernard Cornwell > Reviews > Cornwell's first and best

Author's product rating:   

Would you listen to it again?	Yes
Story	Outstanding
Characters	Good
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?	Very good

Advantages:	Diverse action
Disadvantages:	Not all the Sharpe series is as good

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The 'Sharpe' series concentrates on the career of Richard Sharpe, his men and his units from the time of conflict in India to the peninsula wars against Napoleon and beyond.

Richard Sharpe (immortalised by Sean Bean in the T.V. series) is the quintessential english hero in these conflicts. Joining the army in early adulthood to receive food above all else, he left a career of pick-pocketing and found his vocation. During his excursions in India, he saved the life of Arthur Wellesley, the later Duke of Wellington, allowing his career to develop to the rank of major throughout the series of books.

Sharpe's Eagle sees Sharpe joining the South Essex regiment led by Lt. Col. Henry Simmerson. The regiment though beautifully dressed are useless and Sharpe's leadership abilities bring him into conflict with Simmerson. At Valdelacasa Sharpe shows his fighting ability in holding a bridge, yet the kings colours (the regimental flag) is taken by the French. Suffering this disgrace, Simmerson seeks revenge on Sharpe by blowing up the bridge with Sharpe still on the French side. Tensions simmer as Sharpe becomes promoted to temporary captain following his heroics and Simmerson undermines his authority and lowly upbringing. This leads to Sharpe needing to perform heroics on the battlefield, which he subsequently does, re-taking a French Eagle, the sacred standard, blessed by Napoleon himself whilst Simmerson is relieved of command.

This story is one of the better books of the Sharpe series, and is interesting to note it was the first Sharpe book written by Cornwell, albeit book numer 7 in the series. Indeed the whole Sharpe series was written out of order, often the earlier books of Sharpe's career being the later books being written.

They all follow a tried and trusted formula, and Sharpe's Eagle is no exception. All contain beautiful women (josefina,) internal conflict (josefina's rape and the hunting of the offenders by Sharpe,) conflict with authority (Simmerson) and Glorious military victory (captured eagle.)

This book contains all the essential elements of the Sharpe stories, possibly at the slight detriment to the relationship between Sharpe and his trusted band of men (Harper, Hogan, Hagman etc.) This may be attributed to the amount of great storyline or being written before these relationships became a large part of the plot. However this is being critical, read this book and enjoy it, if you only read one of the series, this book would have a good claim to be the best ambassador.