Rating: 
Summary: Spectacular!
Review: The second Cornwell novel I have read, and I thought it was spectacular! A couple years after the setting of Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe is now a Sergeant with aspirations of moving up into the ranks of the commissioned. The characters and setting are brilliant. The depiction of the battle is suspenseful and detailed without being boring. Not only will you be entertained, but also you will learn some history and about some famous historical characters. A superbly told tale that leaves you immensely satisfied. I can't wait to read on in this series. Highly recommended for anyone who likes history or adventure.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular!
Review: The second Cornwell novel I have read, and I thought it was spectacular! A couple years after the setting of Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe is now a Sergeant with aspirations of moving up into the ranks of the commissioned. The characters and setting are brilliant. The depiction of the battle is suspenseful and detailed without being boring. Not only will you be entertained, but also you will learn some history and about some famous historical characters. A superbly told tale that leaves you immensely satisfied. I can't wait to read on in this series. Highly recommended for anyone who likes history or adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Not your best, Mr. Cornwell
Review: The second of Richard Sharpe's adventures and, to be absolutely frank, a terribly disappointing one. The normally excellent Bernard Cornwell has written a story that, whilst undeniably of the same stable as the other Sharpe novels, differs sufficiently from his normal route as to lessen the impact the story would and should have had.
Instead of our intrepid hero going off on his own to be the saviour of the day and the scurge of all evil, Sharpe spends most of his time as right hand man to the then Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington.This book is largely speaking a filler between the excellent Sharpe's Tiger and the hopefully excellent Sharpe's Fortress and provides a weak second installment of the India years trilogy. Sharpe should have been in the middle of the battle of Assaye that this book depicts, and not way behind the lines watching with the commander of the British forces, making sure that his superior always has a horse. Coupled with this, the awful Obadiah Hakeswill makes an unnecessary appearance as he tries to frame Sharpe for assaulting a British officer and the bad guy is overplayed with repeated use of the word "Monsewer" when describing his French second-in-command. In fact, the main redeeming factor in this book is the interest that Cornwell raises in his ever-present Historical Note at the end which mentions the true story of this book's arch villain, Lieutenant William Dodd. It is always these historical notes that provide Cornwell books with that little extra spice, of knowing exactly what did and did not happen, and bringing closer the reader to the action. It is, however, with heavy heart that I have to say this particular Sharpe is unusual in its mediocrity. A tale that may have merited being told, but perhaps not one that required an entire book; at least, not one told in this way.
Rating:
Summary: Not your best, Mr. Cornwell
Review: The second of Richard Sharpe's adventures and, to be absolutely frank, a terribly disappointing one. The normally excellent Bernard Cornwell has written a story that, whilst undeniably of the same stable as the other Sharpe novels, differs sufficiently from his normal route as to lessen the impact the story would and should have had.
Instead of our intrepid hero going off on his own to be the saviour of the day and the scurge of all evil, Sharpe spends most of his time as right hand man to the then Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington. This book is largely speaking a filler between the excellent Sharpe's Tiger and the hopefully excellent Sharpe's Fortress and provides a weak second installment of the India years trilogy. Sharpe should have been in the middle of the battle of Assaye that this book depicts, and not way behind the lines watching with the commander of the British forces, making sure that his superior always has a horse. Coupled with this, the awful Obadiah Hakeswill makes an unnecessary appearance as he tries to frame Sharpe for assaulting a British officer and the bad guy is overplayed with repeated use of the word "Monsewer" when describing his French second-in-command. In fact, the main redeeming factor in this book is the interest that Cornwell raises in his ever-present Historical Note at the end which mentions the true story of this book's arch villain, Lieutenant William Dodd. It is always these historical notes that provide Cornwell books with that little extra spice, of knowing exactly what did and did not happen, and bringing closer the reader to the action. It is, however, with heavy heart that I have to say this particular Sharpe is unusual in its mediocrity. A tale that may have merited being told, but perhaps not one that required an entire book; at least, not one told in this way.
Rating: 
Summary: A Star is Born
Review: The Sharpe novels may not be great literature, but you know what you're getting and all the new "India" novels maintain the level of quality and entertainment value Sharpe fans have come to expect. Assaye is where the legend that would become Richard Sharpe was born. This book tells the story well, with fewer trumpets and pennants than choking dust and stifling Indian heat.
Rating:
Summary: The Early Career of Sharpe
Review: The Sharpe series is expanded to cover the cockney soldier's years in India. The writing is good Cornwell mix of adventure, background and thrills. Horrible Obadiah Hakewell appears in his usual role of villanous sargeant at a time when Sharpe was vulnerable to his particular brand of sadism. A few minor inconsistencies with the earlier books of the series (written before the TV series and Sean Bean somewhat rewrote the texts). Overall a very good read.
Rating:
Summary: Sharpe becomes Mr Sharpe
Review: This book is the follow up to Sharpe's Tiger; it's the second book of the series (in chronological order). Like the book before its building on the Sharpe character by showing how he became to be an officer. We also see the younger version of Sharpe, the Sharpe who has not yet commanded troops, the Sharpe who has only ever received orders opposed to giving them. It's different to the future books in that respect and if your a fan of the Sharpe series you see it gives Sharpe's Character alot more Depth. On top of that we get a great action book and an in-depth history lesson. The date is 1803, Muslim armies supported by Arab and European mercenaries are planning an invasion of India. McCandless drafts Sharpe from his quiet post, where he has spent the last 4 years, to hunt down a renegade English soldier. During his time behind enemy lines Sharpe is faced with great temptations and its down to him to decide his allegiance. To the British army, or to the Mahratta army. His choice is an obvious one and as the story progresses, by doing what he does best, being a soldier, Sharpe finds himself in a situation where the outcome will change his life forever. It's a great story and a great lesson in history. A tiny British army is faced by a huge Mahratta army, the British are vastly outnumbered and outgunned but with true British determination they go forward and fight. The rest is history, enjoy the book, I did. 4 Stars
Rating:
Summary: Sharpe becomes Mr Sharpe
Review: This book is the follow up to Sharpe's Tiger; it's the second book of the series (in chronological order). Like the book before its building on the Sharpe character by showing how he became to be an officer. We also see the younger version of Sharpe, the Sharpe who has not yet commanded troops, the Sharpe who has only ever received orders opposed to giving them. It's different to the future books in that respect and if your a fan of the Sharpe series you see it gives Sharpe's Character alot more Depth. On top of that we get a great action book and an in-depth history lesson. The date is 1803, Muslim armies supported by Arab and European mercenaries are planning an invasion of India. McCandless drafts Sharpe from his quiet post, where he has spent the last 4 years, to hunt down a renegade English soldier. During his time behind enemy lines Sharpe is faced with great temptations and its down to him to decide his allegiance. To the British army, or to the Mahratta army. His choice is an obvious one and as the story progresses, by doing what he does best, being a soldier, Sharpe finds himself in a situation where the outcome will change his life forever. It's a great story and a great lesson in history. A tiny British army is faced by a huge Mahratta army, the British are vastly outnumbered and outgunned but with true British determination they go forward and fight. The rest is history, enjoy the book, I did. 4 Stars
Rating:
Summary: Sharpe Triumphs again
Review: This is a sublime piece of historical fiction. We are taken back to the early days of Sharpe's adventursom career, when he was a lowly Sarjeant in the 33rd Foot (West Riddings) Aspiring to higher spheres of endeavor, Sharpe as usual must confront head-on the aristocratic and stilted system of promotion then existant in the British army. That system is personified in the character of Sir Arthur Wellsley. Cornwall's depiction of Sir Arthur, seems an astonishingly accurate one. Wellsley was cold, arrogant, and extremly compitent. The battle of Assaye (1803) which smashed the Mahratta confederation and paved the way for ultimate British conquest of India, was one of the Duke's most inspired and risky battles. He even rated it higher than Waterloo, and one is apt to almost agree with his opinion. As usual, Cornwall's depiction of napoleanic fighting is flawless. His description of Assaye is unsurpassed. Here sir Arthur confidantly lead his small army of 5,000 British and Seapoy troops against the Mahratta mass of over 40,000 and 100 guns. The advance of the 78th Highlanders, and their endurment of the horrific Mahratta bombardment must stand as one of the great epic infantry assults of the entire period. The two Scottish regiments in Sir Arthur's command, the 74th and 78th Highlanders, won the campaign for him, and Cornwall does not fail to do them justice in this long forgotton saga. Sir Arthur's victory at Assaye should dispel the notion that European armies defeated their colonial opponets by means soley of superior technology. Sheer determination, tactical brilliance, and iron discipline won the day for the British against an Indian opponet who was as well equipped as they, and far more numerous. Cornwall brilliantly depicts all these elements while giving us a colorful collection of characters, including a youthful Sharpe who must prove himself to become what he is later in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Early Sharpe, redux
Review: This is the second novel of Sgt. Sharpe's early service (following TIGER), set in exotic India with places, battles, and currents of empire-building of which most American's haven't the faintiest idea. Here we finally see the enigmatic event (long alluded to in the original Sharpe series set later in Spain) that forever indebts the future Duke of Wellington to Sharpe; that icy young general in not one but two brilliant actions; Sharpe at his most ferocious ever; Sgt. Hakesbill at his absolute evil worst, consumed with jealousy and private revenge; and Sharpe receiving his first promotion to officer. After a meandering buildup, which includes a convincing Temptation of Sharpe by private pay, the climactic battle scene is horrendous, a vast set piece in front of Assaye where we witness the extreme heroism of the steadfast Scottish 78th under shot, shell, and shrapnel, 600 men (at the start) who rout 100,000. Just incredible. The battle that made the reputation of imperturbable Wellington. As usual, Cornwell brings the era alive through his details of everyday life, without the excessive technical fascination of techno-novels.
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