Book Description
A shy and lonely seventeen-year-old, Horatio Hornblower embarks on a memorable career in Nelson's navy as a midshipman on board H.M.S. Justinian. In action adventure and battle he is forged into one of the most formidable junior officers in the service.
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Friendship .......2006-09-09
This is the next Hornblower chronologically, it was not the next one written. Now that the series is completed it makes sense to read it as Hornblower's career progresses in the Royal Navy.
The whole series is a pleasure to read full of action and adventure; with enough time for a little romance.
Get acquainted with one of the most popular characters in modern literature.
After reading this you will be back for more. And that is a wonderful thing.
Hornblower is beached........2005-12-05
The Hornblower books are a great Napoleonic War era British Navy series. I definitely recommend the series if you like this genre.
This Hornblower is so far the one I've liked the least. It's not too eventful until the end. I think it was meant to show Hornblower in new situations (not just another battle, he spends most of the book hiding in France) to highlight additional facets of his personality. Kudos for trying to develop the character better but I can't say I learned much new about him. Still, worth reading if you like the series.
I have given this book a 4 but it was close to a 3. For me, a 5 is a book that 1) I would recommend to others regardless of whether they read the genre and 2) will most likely reread again in the near future. A 4 is one that 1) I'd recommend if they like the genre and 2) may read again. A 3 I liked but probably would never reread, a 2 was just ok, and a 1 was a waste of time.
Heartwrenching and warming.......2004-12-07
This is generally high up on most HH fans' favorites list. And there's no wonder why. For the first time, our heroic Hornblower has failed and lost his ship---which back then, was worse than death for the captain---it's a personal book with Hornblower worrying about his actions and the consequences to them. In addition, the care and attention he shows to Bush is heartwarming, his concern for his future and promise, "I'll make you a captain if it's the last thing I do." This book really put into perspective the fact that while Hornblower may not view Bush as the smartest of men, he IS his best friend. The affair with Marie also can pull a few internal strings, the devotion Marie has for this man and her haunting, "You're a man women can fall in love with." (attempting to get the quote right.)
A must-read. The pivot of the series.
dull episode in series.......2004-09-01
The premise of the book leaves Hornblower without a ship and defeat in the hands of French forces. He is to be sent to French for trial and execution. This book wasn't as entertaining as previous books in the series. The misery is still a recurring theme in Forester's books and the author also toys with Hornblower's torn feelings between two women in England as well as another he runs into in France. Hornblower worries about Bush, his court martial, his wife, Lady Barbara, his unborn child which served as the tension in the story. This really didn't serve the book in making it exciting yet in series like this you'll get a book that serves as a transition from one book to the other. The story felt like this kind of book. This book was trying to get Hornblower from the battle in the previous book back to London for the next book. This book had no plot really of the ongoing battle between France and Britain where one side was trying to outwit the other nor tension between characters the way "Midshipman" or "Lieutenant" did. Considering how Forester wrote the books out of sequence it's probably understandable to have a book like this in order to complete the picture of Hornblower's career. So Forester shouldn't be blamed for the lack of plot. The book on its own isn't that great yet necessary in order to maintain continuity of the series.
Escape, daring do, and knigthood........2004-02-27
Flying colors begins where Ship of the Line left off. Hornblower is in a Spanish prison in Rosas after sacrificing his ship Sutherland by attacking and destroying an enemy fleet. Along with his loyal lieutenant Bush and his servant Brown, Hornblower is soon loaded on a carriage for the trip to Paris where he is to be hanged as a public display by Napoleon. But of course it's hard to hang a man when the author is on his side. The carriage breaks down in a snowstorm and as luck would have it there is a river and a boat nearby. Always a man of action Hornblower makes his escape and stumbles into the home of a left over royal sympathizer who helps his party to hide until spring when they can make their way down river and escape. In the French port, Hornblower assumes the identity of a Dutch officer, commandeers a captured English cutter, Witch of Endor, and a crew of slave laborers to sail out of the harbor under French noses. Despite his constant self doubt he returns triumphantly to England where he finds out that during his absence his wife died, his beloved Barbara's husband died, and instead of losing his rank for losing his ship he is knighted to the order of the bath for heroism (and politics). The detail of ships and sailing in the early 19th century make the Hornblower series must reading for any man who loves the sea.
Book Description
Another exciting addition to our growing collection of sea stories, BEAT TO QUARTERS is a favorite among devotees of Horatio Hornblower, England's most durable sailor.
The creation of C.S. Forester (AFRICAN QUEEN, THE GOOD SHEPHERD), Hornblower is known and admired throughout the Western world. Winston Churchill was a notable enthusiast; he mentioned Hornblower in his WW II memoirs.
In BEAT TO QUARTERS, a still young Hornblower is captain of the 36-gun frigate Lydia. He sets his course for Spain and Nicaragua in his ongoing quest to cut Napoleon's lines wherever he crosses them.
Customer Reviews:
The First Hornblower Adventures.......2007-08-07
I don't get it... why is this book so highly rated?
There must be a lot of nostalgic old folks who read these as kids... Or in light of having read the entire series, have decided to have an unusual opinion in order to sound erudite in matters of Hornblower. Or they could know something which I don't; however, let me respectfully submit that Beat to Quarters is pretty mediocre as action/adventure/historical fiction novels of the 1930's go. The characters seem contrived, the archvillian hopelessly cliche, and the storytelling is painfully explicit. Not to say that I didn't enjoy it, because I did -- the pacing is good, and as forced as it may seem, Forester is trying to create interesting, complex characters, which pays off in the later novels. The writing improves tremendously too, so keep with them if you can.
Righto, the summary. Horatio Hornblower is captain of the frigate Lydia, the sole English ship wandering about the Pacific. Horatio is marked by his reserve and and critical powers which he applies as vigorously to himself as that which surrounds him, but despite all this, he is garrulous, and therefore has a habit of saying "Ha... H'm" in conversation to avoid speaking too much. Lieutenant Bush is loyal, but, as we are told, unimaginative, so it's up to Horatio to come of with all the brilliant plans. He has been sent on a mission to aid in an uprising against the Spanish in Central America, but, as the delegate of a morally disinterested third party, he finds that alliances can be slippery things... There's a bit of romance mixed in with all the sea battles, but since Horatio never quite gets clear of trouble, there's not a dull moment throughout the entire 250 odd pages... That's probably all I can say without giving away the rest of the story -- I recommend Beat to Quarters for anyone who wants a light read and is a fan of seafaring stories of the Napoleonic era.
We have to compare O'Brien and Forester, right? From what I've read of both of them, O'Brien is the better writer, but Forester is a lot more readable. Hornblower doesn't feel as historic, which is partly because Forester didn't do his research quite as throughouly, but also because O'Brien succeeds in creating characters which feel genuinely "foreign". Jack and Stephen are not men of our time to be sure, but this also makes them a lot more difficult to relate to.
Well, there's my two cents. :)
Historical Fiction at Its Best...and a Grand Hero.......2007-02-20
C. S. Forester, Beat to Quarters.
Patrick O'Brian, Master and Commander
I've begun reading C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower novels for the fourth or fifth time and I'm enjoying them almost as much as the first time through. Last year, I read about half of Patrick O'Brian's stunning Aubrey-Maturin sea novels for a second time: they didn't lose a thing in the rereading, they're so good. Both authors knew their subject matter thoroughly -naval battle in the age of sail, the sea campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars. Both succeeded admirably in conveying the nature and feel of life at sea in crowded, sometimes ungainly, often elegant wooden sailing vessels that in the heat of battle often became floating coffins for the men who inhabited them. Self-doubting Hornblower and his loyal lieutenant Bush, ebullient Jack Aubrey and his surgeon-spy friend Stephen Maturin are men we easily come to admire, full-fleshed characters. The love stories which form a second melody in many of the books in both series are engrossing; you root for the course of true love, for Hornblower's indomitable Lady Barbara and Jack's virginal and stubbornly maternal Sophie.
There are differences. O'Brian is the more consistently superior writer and you laugh more when you read his books. Forester has the annoying habit of telling the reader about changes (largely naval practices) that occur later than the events described rather than, as does O'Brian, simply letting the details of the narration build up a sense of past times in the reader's mind. But Foresterr doesn't indulge himself often and it's a very minor irritation in a splendid narrative that spreads across how eleven novels.
The ambition of these writers is abashing. How did they keep narrative focus through eleven (in Forester's case) and eighteen (O'Brian's) books? How did they succeed -and succeed they truly did--in creating real characters who mature from book to book and communicate their humanity as well as their heroism to readers of a time two hundred years later? These are exceptional books.
The best boy's adventure book ever.......2006-11-19
This book (often collected with "Ship of the Line" and "Beat to Quarters" as "Captain Horatio Hornblower" is the best "boy's" adventure book ever, the gold standard by which all others are measured. It inspired, among others, O'Brien's Aubrey, Cornwell's Sharpe, Kent's Bolitho, and Weber's Harrington. It works perfectly as a sea story and romance, as the middle class Hornblower, Captain of the Lydia, meets and falls in love with Lady Barbara, the sister to the Duke of Wellington. Along the way he battles enemies of superior force, overcoming them as well as his own inferiority complex. Historical detail is superb and this book, as well as the series as a whole, is a superb introduction to the Napoleonic period, particularly class society in Britain. Forester passed away before he could write to Trafalgar, but Hornblower and the Atropos has a lovely description of Lord Nelson's funeral that I remember vividly 39 years later and used as a guide on a recent trip to London last month.
A Wonderful Friendship .......2006-09-09
This is the next Hornblower chronologically, it was not the next one written. Now that the series is completed it makes sense to read it as Hornblower's career progresses in the Royal Navy.
The whole series is a pleasure to read full of action and adventure; with enough time for a little romance.
Get acquainted with one of the most popular characters in modern literature.
After reading this you will be back for more. And that is a wonderful thing.
C.S. Forester's Beat to Quarters.......2006-08-31
For new readers to the Hornblower saga, this is the book to start with, even though it's not the first book chronologically. It introduces many main characters, like Leutienant Bush, Lady Barbara Wellesley, and of course, Horatio himself.
Average customer rating:
- Another good Sharpe book
- A high-water mark in the Rifleman Sharpe series
- A Great Series
- Hawkeswill kills everything including this book
- One of the better Sharpe novels
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Sharpe's Company (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #13)
Bernard Cornwell
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 0451213424
Release Date: 2004-08-03 |
Book Description
Looming on the border of Portugal and Spain is the fortress of Badajoz. To lead an assault on its thick, sheer walls and battlements is suicide, yet Richard Sharpe must lead one. Inside the walls are his wife and daughter, and only he can save them. Outside is the misshapen, vengeance-crazed Sergeant Obadiah Haskewill, a man determined to kill Sharpe. Sharpe knows that in the heat of battle only the cold steel of his battered sword and the ruthless bloodlust of a soldier at war will protect him from the danger of both sides. Third in a series taking Sharpe all the way to Waterloo.
"Consistently exciting...these are wonderful novels." (Stephen King)
Download Description
To stem the Napoleonic tide, Sharpe must capture a fortress-where his wife and infant daughter are trapped-while protecting himself from a fellow officer determined to destroy him. "The world may have a new literary hero. His name is Richard Sharpe."-Philadelphia Inquirer "A masterful blend of fiction and historical detail."-Newsday
Customer Reviews:
Another good Sharpe book.......2007-07-13
In the early months of 1812, Wellington led his army to French-occupied Spain. Captain Richard Sharpe participates in the storming of the fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz. The siege of Badajoz is bloody for the British army. They failed twice before and now Wellington wants the fortress at any cost. As Wellington moves on Badajoz, a new Colonel and a new Captain arrive from England and the command of Sharpe's Light Company has been given to this new Captain who bought the promotion. Sergeant Hakeswill, who is ruthless, cruel, indestructible and Sharpe's oldest and toughest enemy also joins the company. Hakeswill could do anything to terrorise everyone in the company, including Sharpe and Harper. Sharpe desperately fights for his company, and for Teresa, the woman he loves and with her is Antonia, their daughter, both blocked in the besieged city of Badajoz.
Again, Mr Cornwell did an excellent job in Sharpe's company. I would highly recommend this book to any Cornwell fan and any history buff.
A high-water mark in the Rifleman Sharpe series.......2007-03-06
Bernard Cornwell's series of Sharpe novels has delighted countless readers over the years. Cornwell is (famously or infamously, depending on your perspective) writing these novels out of historical sequence, so even though while "Sharpe's Company" is in the middle of the Sharpe series chronologically, it is among the earliest books Cornwell wrote about Wellington's favorite rogue. And it is easily among Cornwell's best books ever - thrilling, ghastly, funny, and with perhaps Cornwell's greatest villain, Obadiah Hakeswill.
[Full disclosure - I read "Sharpe's Company" after reading the terribly disappointing "Hannibal Rising," and have Cornwell up on a bit of a pedestal right now. A gushing review follows.]
Like all soldiers from the stews of London, born without name or wealth, Richard Sharpe started life in the British army as a lowly private. While serving with Lord Wellington (then merely Colonel Wellesley), Sharpe had the misfortune of serving under Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, a grossly fat and evil man who knows that he cannot die - he even survived a hanging! Taking an instant hatred to Sharpe, Hakeswill has Sharpe flogged in events chronicled in Cornwell's "India Trilogy," a sub-set of the Sharpe novels. Sharpe swears revenge and thinks he has killed Hakeswill off . . . only to have the insane Sergeant return in "Sharpe's Company."
Hakeswill is the kind of man who will trump up flogging charges on a soldier in order extort sexual favors from the soldier's desperate wife . . . and then kill her and frame her husband. Truly evil, Hakeswill's love for rape is only matched by his hatred of Sharpe. So what happens when Hakeswill comes across Sharpe's lover, the gorgeous partisan Teresa? He must have her, both to possess her beauty and to ruin Sharpe.
And also, what is to happen when Sharpe finds himself demoted when a wealthier man buys his Captaincy and Hakeswill is put in charge of the 95th Rifles? A mere Lieutenant, Sharpe still outranks Hakeswill, but just barely. This gives Hakeswill the opportunity to ruin the Rifles, the only other thing Sharpe holds as dear as Teresa.
Things are dire enough for Sharpe, what with the return of the mad, gibbering Sergeant. But he must also contend with Wellington's siege of Badajoz, perhaps the most impregnable French-held fort in all of Spain. Even the redoubtable Major Hogan despairs of British boots ever getting inside that mountain of rock and guns. And yet Sharpe must lead men inside, if not only for his honor and to earn his Captain's bars, but also to save Teresa and his new-born daughter, Antonia, who live inside the fortress.
Cornwell writes a battle scene as well as anyone, and he has never been in finer form than with his description of the horrific siege. Perhaps shockingly for a proud Brit, Cornwell pulls no punches at the terrible crimes committed by the British soldiers once they crack open those walls - the robberty, rape and murder of the innocents is one of the most depressing passages you will ever read.
For high adventure, slightly leavened with comedy, you will not find anything better than "Sharpe's Company." Read these novels in order - don't start with this book, because the characters will make much more sense if you have the entire back-story.
A Great Series.......2006-08-15
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.
Hawkeswill kills everything including this book.......2006-08-11
I've eagerly poured through this great series, but was sorely disappointed to see a re-appearance of Sgt. Hawkeswill. His presence ads nothing to this book, other than a great unbelievable diversion.
Sharpe mutters about his life-long desire to kill his arch nemesis Sgt. Hawkeswill at least every 200 pages of every book in the series. Then Sharpe, who has not hesitated to kill before, finds Hawkeswill alone in a barn raping his wife, and then decides to let him go?????? This is the same man that murdered 500 innocent people just so he could leave a city, and now he suddenly wants an honorable public death for for his arch enemy??? Cornwell has made Hawkeswill into the ultimate evil nemesis, and he is just too evil and too lucky to be believed. Having Hawkeswill again and again dance around Sharpe and his friend Sgt. Harper makes Sharpe's other exploits all that more unbelievable. How could anyone that is so easily fooled by the insane Hawkeswill accomplish all the heroics described in this and other books? Here is a guy that tracked one enemy through mountains, rivers, etc. for weeks, just for beating him up, but when he finds Hawkeswill raping his wife (for the second time), threating to kill his child, after Hawkeswill has already killed his good friend Cpt. Knowles, and had Sgt. Harper flogged and demoted, he lets Hawkeswill jump out the window without even a chase???? The Sharpe character wanders all over the place from a vile evil killing machine to a goof-balled mush-mellon.
Fortunately, we have not had to contend with Hawkeswill for a long time in the series, and hopefully we will not see him again.
One of the better Sharpe novels.......2006-04-01
"Sharpe's Company" is one of the better books in the Sharpe series with a mostly convincing plot, a geniunely interesting series of complications for our hero Richard Sharpe to deal with (including a demotion, the birth of a daughter and the return of the evil Sgt. Hakeswill) and some really terrific battle scenes.
If you've read any of the Sharpe in India "prequel" novels ("Sharpe's Tiger," "Sharpe's Triumph" and "Sharpe's Fortress"), this is an especially rewarding book because of the return of Sharpe's old nemesis Hakeswill.
While a great adventure yarn, the book isn't quite perfect. As some previous reviewers have noted, there are a few contrived lapses in the way the characters behave, particularly the failure of the normally aggressive Sharpe to quickly and cleanly end his Hakeswill problem. But, if you've read the Sharpe in India prequels, you're likely to just see this as an ongoing weakness of Sharpe, who tended to do things in India such as force Hakeswill into a snake pit and then walk off without ensuring that the snakes actually finished off Hakeswill. (If I wanted to get all literary, I could possibly account for this by spinning out some psychological theory about Hakeswill's role as a distorted father figure for the orphaned Sharpe, but, hey, this really isn't *that* kind of historical novel ...)
Book Description
"In this ninth installment in the Hornblower series, the incomparable Horatio Hornblower, recently knighted and settled in as squire of the village of Smallbridge, has been designated commodore of his own squadron of ships, led by the two-decker Nonsuch and bound for the Baltic. It is 1812, and Hornblower has been ordered to do anything and everything possible, diplomatically and militarily, to protect the Baltic trade and to stop the spread of Napoleon's empire into Sweden and Russia. Though he has set sail a hero, one misstep may ruin his chances of ever becoming an admiral. Hostile armies, seductive Russian royalty, nautical perils such as ice-bound bays, assassins in the imperial palace--Hornblower must conquer all before he can return home to his beloved new wife and son, as his instructions are to sacrifice every man and ship under his command rather than surrender ground to Napoleon."
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Friendship .......2006-09-09
This is the next Hornblower chronologically, it was not the next one written. Now that the series is completed it makes sense to read it as Hornblower's career progresses in the Royal Navy.
The whole series is a pleasure to read full of action and adventure; with enough time for a little romance.
Get acquainted with one of the most popular characters in modern literature.
After reading this you will be back for more. And that is a wonderful thing.
The destiny of the world.......2006-08-04
This was my first introduction to Horatio Hornblower, and I'm hooked...couldn't put this down, or any of the next two either.
Hornblower is made a commodore and given a small fleet, and sent to the Baltic to ensure the safety of maritime trade. The local threat to British shipping is dealt with in short order, but the diplomatic situation quickly becomes complicated as the neutrality of Sweden and Russia are threatened. Will the Sweden be dragged into the war on the side of Napoleon, will Russia submit to French mastery of Europe?
Hornblower has the opportunity to dine with the czar and participate in the seige of Riga. By the end of the novel, his health is spent, the tide of the war is turned, and you care intensely about the next chapter of the saga.
Russian politics and naval strategy.......2004-02-29
In Commodore, Forester takes our hero to the Baltic Sea to intervene in the war between the Russians and Napoleon. Now on the top half of the Captains list, Hornblower is given command of a small squadron of ships and sent north in as much of a political gambit as a naval one. There are no real naval threats to Hornblower's fleet, a few coastal raiders on British shipping, but the one they find is easily dispatched. Forester spends time detailing the use of bomb vessels, ungainly ships with large mortars in the center. They are used to shell and destroy a ship in a harbor and enemy positions on shore. When Napoleon attacks Russia he sends one army north towards St. Petersburg along the eastern most end of the Baltic, and of course Commodore Hornblower is there to save the day and negotiate a switch of sides by the Prussians. It's a little short on naval lore and a little long on period politics. A contrived dalliance with a Russian lady gives Hornblower flees, and then typhus. At the time it was written it was pretty unusual to have an adulterous affair in a fiction of this kind. It gives more variety to our understanding of British Naval operations in another area of the world.
Good adventure reading.......2003-10-06
I am sad to see that I am close to the end of Forester's Horatio Hornblower series. I am greatly enjoying this series of novels.
Buy the whole package.......2003-09-18
Start with Midshipman Hornblower and take a vacation. You won't put any book in the series down until you finish them all.
Book Description
An unfinished duel, a midnight murder, and the treachery of a beautiful prostitute lead to the imprisonment of Sharpe. Caught in a web of political intrigue for which his military experience has left him fatally unprepared, Sharpe becomes a fugitive-a man hunted by both ally and enemy alike. REVIEW: Consistently exciting... these are wonderful novels. (Stephen King)
Customer Reviews:
Quick one-off Sharpe story hits the usual high points.......2007-05-19
in "Sharpe's Honor," Richard Sharpe is set up by the French spymaster Pierre Ducos. The plot is dastardly - Sharpe is accused of murdering a prominent Spanish general at a time when English-Spanish relations are at the most delicate. What else can Wellington do except throw Sharpe to the wolves of carpricious justice?
Well, plenty. If you have looked at the titles of this series, you know that Sharpe survives Ducos' gambit and lives to fight another day. The pleasures of "Sharpe's Honor" lie not in the plot but in Bernard Cornwell's telling of it. Here you will find all the usual Cornwell figures - a damsel in distress, a diabolical enemy of fearsome murderous prowess, and the reeling yet mighty French army.
Look for all the usual stock Cornwell features in "Sharpe's Honor." Love scenes, battle scenes, intrigue . . . it is such an exciting novel that it is almost a shame to give "Sharpe's Honor" a mere four stars. But there is something about "SH" that makes the novel a foregone conclusion. There is never any serious risk for our hero, because we know he will turn out right in the end. And while Cornwell writes another amazing battle scene in the climactic battle of Vitorita, we've almost grown accustomed to amazing Cornwell battle scenes. Long story short - this is a fun book, but does little to separate it from the rest of the Sharpe series to merit a five-star rating.
Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series is among the most entertaining sustained series available. Fans of the series will of course read "Sharpe's Honor," and enjoy it, but few will consider it a high water mark for the series as a whole. Check it out.
A Great Series.......2006-08-15
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.
Cornwell is a master.......2005-10-30
This is Cornwell at his finest. Sharpe, wrongfully acused of murder, sets off in search La Puta Durada in order to clear his name of her husband's murder secretly engineered by Major Ducos. Sharpe, the continual underdog, manages to save his skin once again! Cornwell's work only seems to get better with time and this book is proof of his talent!
Disappointing.......2005-05-12
I found this volume in the Sharpe saga to be somewhat disappointing. The plot seemed very contrived and Sharpe was somewhat out of character. The actual battle of Vitoria, which was one of Wellington's most glorious successes, seems almost an after-thought here. The intrigue surrounding Ducos, in retrospect seemed irrelevant and the Slaughterman too much of a characature to believe. Nevertheless, it's worth reading if for no other reason than completeness.
The surreal Sharpe.......2002-11-18
This is the odd man out in the series (so far), which is a nice change. For much of the novel, Sharpe is out of the army, without Harper or Hogan, and on the run, trying to clear his name and win back his officer's commission.
The scene where Sharpe rescues his lover, a onetime French spy, from a nunnery is the funniest writing in the series so far (eight books and counting). And when a fortuitous explosion frees him from the French, the description of Sharpe wandering away, drunken and dazed, from the burning castle is surreal.
For anyone who thinks Sharpe is a one-dimensional hero character, Sharpe's Honor shows Sharpe's many weaknesses: his inability to sidestep a ruinous challenge to his honor; his blind obsession with a woman who is at best, fickle, at worst, treacherous; his destructive self-pity.
This novel concentrates on the interior worlds of Sharpe and other characters more than earlier books have. It's illuminating to see the battle of Vittoria from so many viewpoints. And Cornwell continues to show that truth is stranger than fiction by taking incidents that really happened, such as the bizarre looting of the French baggage train, and weaving them into the story.
Sharpe's Honor is another strong entry in the series.
Customer Reviews:
MMO Sharp 1.......2007-07-14
I have meticulously read every one of the Sharp series and also some of the TV series. The books could almost be standard reading on the Napoleonic & Indian wars for history buffs.
Well written, details not just of the battles but also gives a good insight into the army of those days in the 1800's. The map layouts are great, you can get a better picture of the terrain.
Lightweight villains prevent "Regiment" from joining upper echelon of series.......2007-05-24
A four-star review for one of Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe novels is a bit unfair. Taken as a whole, the Sharpe series is one of the best fictional series ever. Meticulously researched, well-grounded in the 19th century, and chock full of some of the most thrilling battlefield carnage ever put to paper, the Sharpe novels have earned their honored, dog-eared status in thousands of private libraries.
So why does "Sharpe's Regiment" fail to ascend the heights of the other novels in the series?
Not for its plot, to be sure. This is one of Cornwell's more original efforts. Sharpe's beloved South Essex regiment is dying a slow death in Spain as Wellington's battles take their toll. But where are the recruits to replenish the regiment? Nobody seems to know. Sharpe and his right-hand man, the hulking Irish sergeant Harper, are sent to England to find out.
Sharpe uses his cunning and some old acquaintances to track down the mystery - crimpers. The hated, cowardly Lt. Colonel Henry Simmerson, who lost the South Essex's colors, has set up shop with a craven officer and a high-placed Lord to practice the old military tradition. Instead of raising recruits and sending them where the army needs them, crimpers raise the recruits and auction them off to desperate commanders who are willing to pay through the nose for more bodies.
Sharpe and Harper disguise themselves as lowly recruits to infiltrate the crimping scheme, only to find themselves at the mercy of a murderous tyrant who is only too willing to kill off any troublesome recruit. And along the way, Sharpe gets to experience the lunacy and debauchery of the British court first-hand. Oh, and he reunites with Jane Gibbons, who just may be the love of his life.
So why does "Regiment" merit only four stars? Well, mainly because the villains of the novel are such a weak lot. Nobody in "Regiment" inspires the awe of other Sharpe villains such as Pierre Ducos. For most of the novel, Sharpe and Harper simply run rings around their befuddled tormentors, and our heroes never seem to be in any serious danger. Plus, there is a bit of deus ex machina in the novel's ultimate resolution with the discovery of crucial evidence.
All that being said, this is a Sharpe novel, and that's a high compliment. The action is great, Sharpe and Harper are worthy heroes, and Cornwell takes great delight in tweaking the royal nose. This novel is a must-read for any fan of the series.
A Great Series.......2006-08-15
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.
Cornwell at his best!!.......2005-10-30
One of the things that I enjoy about Cornwell's Sharpe novels is the real picture the reader gets of the life and times of the common soldier. In this book, Sharpe is forced to return to England to find out why his army is not receiving new troops to replace the ones who have been lost to French lead. His quest forces both he and Patrick Harper to go undercover as new recruits in order to expose former Col. Henry Simmerson. The reader gets a real feel of how a soldier was recruited and trained during this time period in England. The book also brings in the Prince of Wales whose addoration of Sharpe earns the regiment the new name of the Prince of Wales Own! I just can't get enough of Richard Sharpe!
Always a great read.......2005-08-02
I have read all of the Sharpe's series up to this point and I am never disappointed. This book is unlike the others in that it does not deal extensively with the battlefield overseas, rather it is primairly set in England. But never mind that, it is full of action and excitement. The amazing thing about this series is that every one is different but still contains the same elements: grapic action scenes, spellbinding adventure and just a bit of personal interest/romance. Get the book, but be advised, you won't be able to put it down till it is finished!
Book Description
"In this, the tenth volume in C.S. Forester's series of classic naval adventure tales, Horatio Hornblower must rescue a man he knows to be a tyrant from the mutiny of his crew--a dubious chore, but one that leads Hornblower, with the aid of his old love, Marie, to the glorious conclusion of his own battle with Napoleon."
Customer Reviews:
This series never disappoints........2007-08-31
I have now read all but one of the Hornblower series, and there's not a clinker in the lot. This book is just as good as the others and I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Hornblower's combination of ingenious daring and wracking self-doubt make him one of my favorite literary characters. I do, however, recommend that the series be read in order, just to preserve the suspense.
Entertaining and well-researched.......2007-08-01
Forester is a first-rate novelist and while his books are often categorized at junior fiction there is enough inner conflict to make them an interesting read for adults. The descriptions are so vivid that one can feel the ship rocking on the waves. Horatio realizes that he is a hero in spite of himself and has survived the Napoleonic Wars by a miracle. He is fascinated with the French and with Catholics, possibly because of Marie de Gracay, the great love of his life, who reappears in Lord Hornblower. Marie's presence throws a wrench into Horatio's already tumultuous relationship with his strong-willed wife, Lady Barbara. Barbara is as cold and ambitious as Marie is warm and self-sacrificing. Horatio is torn, but events happen quickly and choices are made for him.
Forester does not glamorize Napoleon but exposes him for the dictator he was, with an emphasis on the loss of life caused by the wars of conquest. The restoration of the Bourbons is shown as an event to be celebrated, while not minimizing their shortcomings. Forester's research is flawless and his writing is entertaining. I highly recommend his novels.
A Wonderful Friendship .......2006-09-09
This is the next Hornblower chronologically, it was not the next one written. Now that the series is completed it makes sense to read it as Hornblower's career progresses in the Royal Navy.
The whole series is a pleasure to read full of action and adventure; with enough time for a little romance.
Get acquainted with one of the most popular characters in modern literature.
After reading this you will be back for more. And that is a wonderful thing.
Cunning and determination.......2006-08-07
A crew has mutinied and threatens to hang their captain and turn their ship over to the French if they don't receive pardons and their captain isn't tried for his cruelty. Simple force cannot subdue the mutineers, as they have only to sail into Napoleon's embrace to escape punishment. Their demands cannot be granted, lest every crew with a cruel captain take the law into their own hands. Our hero is summoned to solve the problem, which he does with aplomb. This leads to a gripping series of diplomatic and military moves, and the ultimate defeat of the French tyrant. This part is good; I would give it 5 stars.
The book has a second part: after Napoleon is exiled, Barbara goes to Vienna to help put Europe back together and Horatio goes to France...for a bad reason. When Napoleon returns to power, Horatio is trapped, and must use his wits and guts to survive. I didn't like this part as well: I don't understand the choices Horatio makes (perhaps because I started the series with Commodore Hornblower and have yet to read the earlier books), the ending struck me as a cop-out, and the whole thing just seemed so much smaller than the first part of the book. I would give this part 3 stars.
Naval hero helps end the war........2004-02-29
After recovering from the typhus and attending to ceremonies of the knights of the bath, Commodore Hornblower is sent to Le Havre in Normandy to intervene in some mutineers who are demanding a pardon on threat of turning their ship over to the French. In typical Hornblower fashion he captures a very large French cargo vessel, the mutineers ship and another French navel vessel all in a couple of days. But Hornblower isn't done yet. He negotiates with the Mayor of Le Havre to turn against Napoleon with British naval support. Hornblower sails into the harbor with a few hundred marines and takes over. For some weeks he is bound up in administration of the port and it's defenses. A French siege army approaches but a daring row up river blows up their siege guns and powder. Captain Bush is killed in the explosion. The crown prince of France arrives and a whole entourage, along with Lady Barbara. With his army defeated in the south and Normandy held against him, Napoleon abdicates. Hornblower and the crown prince sail up the Seine toward Paris. For his achievements and for political reasons Hornblower is appointed "Lord Hornblower." Lady Barbara goes to Vienna with her brother for political peace talks, so Hornblower visits his friend from "Flying Colors." While he's there Napoleon retakes the country and Hornblower leads a small resistance force tying up several thousand men who might have made a difference elsewhere at Waterloo.
There is plenty to like in Lord Hornblower, bravery and wit overcoming long odds at sea, adventures in politics and the splendor of the court. The saga continues.
Book Description
In this first in the epic series, Captain Richard Sharpe, bold, professional, and ruthless, prepares to lead his men against the armies of Napoleon in what will be the bloodiest battle of the war. Sharpe has earned his captaincy, but there are others 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.
Download Description
After the cowardly incompetence of two officers besmirches their name, Captain Richard Sharpe must redeem the regiment by capturing the most valued prize in the French Army-a golden Imperial Eagle, the standard touched by the hand of Napoleon himself. "A masterful blend of fiction and historical detail."-Newsday "A totally convincing picture of warfare, of hand-to-hand, sword-to-sword, bayonet-to-bayonet fighting."-Cleveland Plain Dealer
Customer Reviews:
SHARPE FOREVER.......2007-04-07
BERNARD CORNWELL HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH THIS VERSION OF THE LIFE OF RICHARD SHARPE. WHEN YOU START TO READ ABOUT SHARPE IT IS VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN. HIGHLY RECCOMENDED.
A Great Series.......2006-08-15
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.
The birth of the tried-and-true Richard Sharpe formula.......2006-08-15
"Sharpe's Eagle" may have been the first Richard Sharpe novel that Bernard Cornwell wrote, but the formula of this novel permeates the entire series. For fans of "you are there" historical fiction of a military bent, that is a great thing.
I came late to Cornwell's Sharpe series, after having read many of the author's other works (the Grail Quest novels, the Warlord trilogy, "Stonehenge," and "Redcoat"). So I have been able to start at the "beginning" of the Sharpe saga with "Sharpe's Tiger" and the India trilogy. Accordingly, Sharpe and his fellow Riflemen as well as many of the commanders are familiar characters by now. It's interesting how smoothly "Sharpe's Eagle" fits into the series even though it was the very first novel.
"Eagle" recounts the British army's struggles in Spain against the French and, even more so, their Spanish allies. Look for some notorious Spain-bashing as Cornwell derisively depicts its rag-tag infantry led by lazy peacocks for officers, including a real historical event where thousands of Spanish infantry are spooked by their own musket barrage! Not much subtlety, here.
Fans of Cornwell's novels will also recognize the villain of the piece, fat Colonel Simmerson and his nephew, Lieutenant Gibbons. Sharpe, our admirable hero, has done a rare thing and won his officer's rank solely by merit, largely unheard of in the British army. Instead, most officers bought promotion after a suitable period in a given rank, and Cornwell is of the opinion, his idol General Arthur Wellesley notwithstanding, that this led to dozens of craven British officers, all of whom seem to encounter Sharpe during their career.
Colonel Simmerson leads his battalion, including Sharpe, to the ultimate disgrace - losing their battlefield colors. Foisting the blame onto Sharpe, Simmerson hopes to avoid shame himself as well as to send Sharpe to a death sentence serving in the disease-infested West Indies. But Sharpe has another idea - salvage the battalion's pride by doing the impossible - stealing one of Napoleon's eagle standards from the juggernaut French infantry.
An action-packed novel, "Sharpe's Eagle" also finds time for Sharpe to have a little romance, but this element of the story is entirely secondary to the main focus, which is Cornwell's unrivaled mastery of depicting a battle scene. A mere 270-odd pages, "Sharpe's Eagle" will defy your efforts to put it down.
I highly recommend reading these books in chronological order, and this was the recommendation of the good people over at Bernard Cornwell's website as well. Get reading!
Sharp story.......2006-05-03
Napoleonic wars are not my thing but one day I picked up this book and for want of anything to do I read it.
Didn't know some British officers were promoted from the ranks during this period. Always thought they purchased their commissions.
These things got pitched aside with this delightful story.
Richard Sharpe, a man who has literally crawled up from the ranks to a commission, finds himself in a bad place with a bad superior officer and there is only one way for him to extricate himself from it.
This novel is well worth reading.
The Horatio Hornblower of the Infantry.......2006-04-09
I enjoy these military historical fictions books normally and this one was a pleasant surprise. The author does a good job of mixing the personal drama with the tactical/military aspects of the period. It was an enjoyable read without being a dry text book on Napoleonic combat.
Customer Reviews:
"Siege" offers plenty of thrills for the intrepid Sharpe and Riflemen.......2007-06-12
Bernard Cornwell's "Sharpe's Siege" is a delightful entertainment, full of thrills, derring-do, deceit, betrayal, heroism, and loss. Not for nothing does the Rifleman Sharpe series occupy an honored place in many high-brow libraries despite its undeniable middle-brow appeal.
Far from Serious Literature, "Sharpe's Siege" is nevertheless serious. Nobody does their research better than Cornwell, who has recreated the battles of the Napoleonic era with incredible details. Whether it's the intricate workings of a British rifle, the chaotic life onboard ship at sea, or describing the sights and smells of the French countryside, Cornwell places the reader at the heart of the action with aplomb. While terse, Cornwell's style is as evocative as it is efficient.
And efficiency is required with this tale. Sharpe gets tossed into a mysterious plot of espionage and counter-espionage as Wellington goes mind-to-mind with Napoleon and his spymaster, Ducos. Unfortunately for Sharpe, his friend, the intelligence master Major Hogan, is gibbering with fever. That means that Sharpe is at the mercy of buffoons and traitors as he leads the Rifles on a desperate joint Army-Navy mission to take a French fort. Thanks to the intense inter-service rivalry, for Sharpe the British navy is just as dangerous as the French.
And to top it off, Sharpe's lovely new bride Jane may have caught the same fever that has reduced Hogan to a wasted shell. Sharpe, who has known loss before, spends much of the novel torn in anguish as his mission keeps him from his wife's side.
Given the title, it should come as no spoiler that Sharpe finds himself defending a fort against terrible odds. Somehow Cornwell can write scenes like the storming of Badajoz or Sharpe's desperate use of rockets in "Sharpe's Enemy," and yet keep topping himself. The climactic battles in "Siege" are tremendous, even if they are not quite my favorite of all his battles. Sharpe must use ingenuity, bravery, and sheer audacity to keep his outnumbered force intact and alive.
Why only four stars? Maybe it's because this is the eighteenth Sharpe novel I've read and Sharpe and Harper are starting to seem a bit immortal to me. I still love 'em, praise be, but they are both starting to move into James Bond territory - has anyone ever figured out how many bullets have been fired at 007 without effect? Sharpe and Harper carry scars, to be sure, but I almost prefer the parts of the battle scenes that feature other characters - at least there is some uncertainty there.
But I quibble - "Sharpe's Siege" is a wonderful addition to the Sharpe series.
One of the better in the series.......2007-03-24
"Sharpe's Siege" is one of the better entries in this series of novels. Although it's not directly based on an actual battle (which I tend to regard as a disadvantage in the occasional Sharpe novel that isn't solidly based on a specific battle), it still does an excellent job of capturing the feel of this type of a Napoleonic fight. And, unlike so many of the more formulaic entries in this series, "Siege" doesn't get bogged down in some unlikely sideplot involving a damsel in distress. Also, while the story does have a bit of a cloak-and-dagger element to it, this book doesn't go overboard on the 19th-century poor man's James Bond plotting in the way that "Sharpe's Prey" or "Sharpe's Sword" did.
A Great Series.......2006-08-15
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.
Sharpe's adventures are wonderful.......2005-05-13
Bernard Cornwell is one of those rare writers of historical fiction who manages to make the fiction compelling without making the history anything less than accurate. His tales of Richard Sharpe in the Napoleonic War, especially, are a joy for both the continuing adventures of the dynamic scarred rifleman and the rich historical detail that Cornwell gives to his characters. In this installment of Sharpe's adventures, he has to defend a fortress on the coast of France both against an approaching army and treachery from his own side. He is also haunted by fears for the health of his new bride, Jane. As ever, the battle scenes and personal relationships in this story are superb. An excellently told tale of adventure.
One of the best, if not THE best.......2003-02-05
When a quick raid on a French fort falls victim to cowardice and miscommunication it is up to Richard Sharp and his men to dig in and defend themselves. Can Sharp get his men out alive with nothing but their guns and an American privateer who may or may not be a friend? Lots of action and good battle scenes an excellent Cornwell book.
This particular edition of the Sharp's series is one of my particular favorites. My favorite character Patrick Harper has a notable part to play(b y which I mean the part played by his seven barreled navy gun). If you are one of those people that likes to start a series from the middle and work your way back this is an excellent book to start with
Book Description
Captain Hornblower, after two hard years on blockade at Brest, has relinquished the helm of the Hotspur. He has no ship, only the promise of one. Meanwhile there are battles to be fought.
This reading of HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS includes two other stories, "Hornblower's Temptation" and "The Last Encounter," all published after C.S. Forester's death in 1966.
"Because Forester died before completing this novel, the reader is left with a summary sketch and his own imagination for final details of the plot. For Forester devotees, this will not detract from the essential verve and dash of Hornblower's last chase." (The Christian Science Monitor)
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Friendship .......2006-09-09
This is the next Hornblower chronologically, it was not the next one written. Now that the series is completed it makes sense to read it as Hornblower's career progresses in the Royal Navy.
The whole series is a pleasure to read full of action and adventure; with enough time for a little romance.
Get acquainted with one of the most popular characters in modern literature.
After reading this you will be back for more. And that is a wonderful thing.
Would've been a good novel but the best part wasn't written........2004-03-01
This novel picks up with Hornblower relinquishing command of the Hotspur and returning to London for a new command. As typical in a Forester novel, nothing ever goes as planned and action follows Hornblower on his way home from a supply ship. There are only about 150 pages of text in this story and what was missing in the story were what Hornblower did that lead to the eventual decisive Battle of Trafalgar. It was nice to see what Forester wrote anyway only because I like the genre and I like Forester's details and descriptions of being in the Service and living during that time. But this book wouldn't be good on its own.
Cleaning up Forester's Desk.......2004-02-27
Hornblower During the Crisis is apparently a couple of pieces of left over script that Forester hadn't finished when he died, and was later published. The first half deals with Hornblower's trip home to England as a passenger on a water hoy (a supply ship that brings water to ships of the line). The water how is such a dog that after several days of beating back and forth they are still where they began. When they finally do get a fair wind they are chased by a larger French brig and only by some of Hornblower's usual trickery and bravado do they turn the tables and escape. The battle is a little too unbelievable for me; it relies too much no surprise and a sleeping French crew, which I found beyond the realm of possible. Nevertheless our hero returns safely to England.
The second part of the book is another short story about how Hornblower was assigned to be some kind of spy in Spain to deliver fake messages ordering the Spanish fleet out to sea. It's more plausible, but a short story.
Despite its shortcomings, the detail of ships and sailing in the early 19th century make the Hornblower series must reading for any man who loves the sea.
good, but unfinished leaves you wanting more.......2004-02-06
like most of the reviews the book is unfinished, which I thought was unfortunate. i really love reading about HH. i find his thoughts and thought process intriguing and his outlook on others who are involved in his life. CS Forester really gives you a feel for this charactor and puts you in his mind.
"Hornblower During the Crisis" is only 117 pages. i enjoyed it and have read all of the novels up threw "Crisis". im reading in chronological order. so i was dissapointed for it to end so quick. it is your typical HH novel, he starts out sailing and then the frogs show up, HH comes up with an idea and ofcoures it works out for the better. ends up in england with some important papers from boney. he gets promoted to captain only if he goes on a spy mission he came up with, that is where the book ends. a shame, i really wanted to see HH as a spy.
"Hornblowers Temptation" - is the first short story. it comes after "Midshipmen Hornblower" although one review said it came after "Lieutentant Hornblower", the reason is because Mr.Bush is not on board and captian sawyer is still alive. good short story, i agree with some reviews that the character is not like the HH we know. he does things for his own conscious , and not for king, for county. also this mentions that they have gone to the west indies, but in "Lieutentaunt HH", he remarks to Bush how he has never seen some sort of fish which are only in the west indies. good short story, if u like HH series then you will like this, although we are not use to this softer side of Horry.
"The Last Encounter" - this makes no sense with the HH books. his wifes is named Barbara, who he loves and can't keep his eyes off of, his only child is named Richard and he likes wine or "port" as they call it. never the less is was an ok read. i think forester wrote this just for fun. the story is about a man who comes to the door and says he someone famous and dead. HH is like whatever, but helps him anyway. not bad, i didn't really like it because it didn't hold true to Maria and his 2 kids.
this is a decent book, i wish it was finished, it really leaves you dangling. the only regret is the price $15, which are the prices for completed books. we should pay half this since we are getting half a story.
The last book in the series..........2004-01-06
Or is it? The incomplete story, 'Hornblower During The Crisis' seems to be set just after 'Hornblower And The Hotspur'. The story was never finished and the ONE page of notes at the end DO tell you how the story turns out but doesn't have much in the way of details. It would of been nice to see a dozen pages or so of the author's notes.
The next two stories, 'Hornblower's Temptation'(which seems to be set after 'Lieutenant Hornblower') and 'The Last Encounter', which is the very last tale about him, are both short but complete. They show us a very interesting view of Hornblower's inner thought process when he was young and when he gets old.
So in a way it does end the series, but also shows him during earlier periods of his life.
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Ship of the Line (Hornblower Saga)
Commodore Hornblower (Hornblower, 9)
Hornblower : Beat to Quarters
Lord Hornblower (Hornblower Saga)
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (Hornblower Saga)
