Rating: 
Summary: I'm only giving this a 10...
Review: ...because that's the highest the counter allows. If not, I'd give it a 20. My introduction to Richard Sharpe, the character came through the TV movies aired here on PBS. My introduction to Mr. Cornwell's books came through this novel. Last spring, while at Gatwick Airport, I saw the hardcover displayed in a bookstore. Facing an 8 hour flight watching movies I'd already seen and disliked I decided "Sharpe's Tiger" was the better investment of time. It certainly was. Since then, I've read all of the Sharpe novels. I am always impressed, and as a novelist myself, more than a little envious of Mr. Cornwell's gifts. He melds fascinating historical details with blood and thunder adventure featuring a flawed, yet undeniably heroic protagonist. In this particular genre, Mr. Cornwell has no peers. I'm hooked on "Sharpie" for life.
Rating:
Summary: The genesis of Cornwell's Sharpe Saga
Review: .After having read the Starbuck serie (Civil War) from B. Cornwell, i had great expectations. To my great delight, the same feeling of plunging in the middle of an historical battlefield seized me after a few pages, making me forget about (every bloody thing I had to do in) my new house for a few hours. SHARPE'S TIGER is the first in the serie (of about 12) in chronological order. Even though Mr. Cornwell does'nt write them this way, if you want to appreciate the historical flavor and Sharpe's career in Her Majesty's army, you want to read them chronologically. The reader looking for nice fancy figures of speech will be left unsatisfied. Political correctness is also left in the closet. It is blunt, direct cannon-fodder daily life we are looking at and it is written that way You may disrespect these incompetent officiers, having bought their grade, you will probably hate Sgt. Hakeswill, the potence saved maniac. you will feel pity for Mary and the destiny traced for her. One thing is sure, we will all finish that book with the smell of gunpowder floating around us and a smile in the historical note about general Wellington All rights reserved to The Reviewer Provided by courtesy to Amazon.com
Rating:
Summary: grim colonial army life with maximum adventure!!!
Review: After devotedly reading through all 11 (or was it 12) other books, I picked this up without even looking past the title and author. I wasn't disappointed!! It is a delight to read military fiction which doesn't spare the gritty ugly side of war or ignore the occasional repite of commaraderie. It is even more of a delight to have a hero who is so human. Perhpas it makes heroism more in the grasp of the mortal man by realizing just how fallable they all start off and finish...
Rating: 
Summary: The genesis of Cornwell's Sharpe Saga
Review: After having read the Starbuck serie (Civil War) fromB. Cornwell, i had great expectations. To my great delight, the samefeeling of plunging in the middle of an historical battlefield seized me after a few pages, making me forget about (every bloody thing I had to do in) my new house for a few hours. SHARPE'S TIGER is the first in the serie (of about 12) in chronological order. Even though Mr. Cornwell does'nt write them this way, if you want to appreciate the historical flavor and Sharpe's career in Her Majesty's army, you want to read them chronologically. The reader looking for nice fancy figures of speech will be left unsatisfied. Political correctness is also left in the closet. It is blunt, direct cannon-fodder daily life we are looking at and it is written that way One thing is sure, we will all finish that book with the smell of gunpowder floating around us and a smile in the historical note about general Wellington
Rating:
Summary: Superb historical fiction
Review: Bernard Cornwell tells of of the British Campaign in early 19th century India. I had no idea before this of the extent of the British involvement in that part of the world at that time. I was skeptical of the historical accuracy but after doing some research I discovered the mastery Mr. Cornwell has for historical accuracy and integrating his fictional characters into the historical action and making it exciting. This novel is well written and has spurred me on to read the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Richard Sharpe is back and India will never be the same!
Review: Bernard Cornwell's 'Richard Sharpe' series is one of the best historical fiction series ever written, and to have a new Sharpe adventure is a pleasure! Even better is to now have an adventure of Richard Sharpe's younger soldiering days before Wellington promoted him to Lieutenant in 1809 Spain, to read of Sharpe's adventures in India, and it is my hope that Mr. Cornwell brings us more of Sharpe's adventures in India (although I will miss reading about Sharpe's escapades,adventures, and battles with Sergeant Patrick Harper at his side). SHARPE'S TIGER, although an adventure in itself to be read at any period in the SHARPE series, is another wonderful way to introduce readers to Richard Sharpe, the best damn soldier ever in the British Army, now or ever!
Rating:
Summary: What an incredible start to a great series!
Review: Chronologically, this is the first adventure of the war-loving soldier, Richard Sharpe. I am new to the series, but if the first three books are any indication (The India Trilogy), I will read them all. The author, Cornwell, is a perfect blend of great storyteller and excellent writer. Cornwell's discription of the siege of Seringapatum is beautifully rendered. The reader can feel the heat and exaustion, hear the swish of saber and whine of bullets. Often, in books that deal with military history, the reader may find himself slightly confused as to troops movements and tactics, but not here. Cornell is such a fantastic action writer, that it is all crystal clear. The reader can sense the flow of action, picture the battlefield perfectly, and understand the reasons behind the decisions; and all without hampering the surge of action. The characters in the novel are particularily well drawn. This is a story with great villians and enemies. Especially enjoyable is Sharpe's nemisis in the novel, the horrid Obadiah Hakewill, Sharpe's sadistic sargent. I also like the author's portrait of The Tippoo Sultan. while it would be hard to call it a sympathetic portrait, Cornwell takes pains to write this enemy in truthful, fascinating strokes. Just a great piece of work and one of the few books I have read lately that have kept me up all night reading. Onward, Mister Sharpe!
Rating:
Summary: The young Private Sharpe
Review: Chronologically, this novel (copyrighted 1997) is the first in the series of novels about Richard Sharpe. It does not cover his early life (covered to some extent in "Sharpe's Regiment"), or his actual beginnings in the British Army, but starts somewhat abruptly with Private Sharpe serving in the 33rd's Light Company in India and contemplating desertion. It introduces the beginnings of Sharpe's contact with the odious Sergeant Hakeswill, a cowardly bully who becomes Sharpe's personal troll, riding his shoulder to torment him in later novels in the series. Hakeswill wants Sharpe's woman Mary (the widow of another sergeant), for his own evil purposes. Hakeswill conspires with Captain Morris, who is in need of money, to get rid of Sharpe on trumped up charges. Sharpe survives what might have been a death sentence when his lashing is stopped at 202, and he is sent off on a special mission. The woman eventually catches a bigger fish and goes her own way, free of both Sharpe and Hakeswill. She was not Sharpe's first woman (see "Sharpe's Regiment"), and will not be the last. The main plot concerns the defeat of the Muslim Tippoo at Seringapatam in 1799. The Tippoo ruled the Hindu state of Mysore, thanks to his late father's conquests, and was siding with the French. Various fictional characters and actions have been created to provide a place for Private Sharpe. The author has provided a map of Seringapatam, and his Historical Note at the end of the novel gives some of the actual history. Some unknown person did end up with the Tippoo's jewels, enough to retire in considerable comfort. Sharpe is ambitious and ends up a sergeant at a relatively young age. He will also discover that trolls are difficult to kill, and tend to hang onto a person once they have found someone to torment. Like most books in the Sharpe series, I would rate this novel PG-13 based on content.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the book Sharpe fans have waited for!
Review: Ever since Cornwell's first Sharpe book, fans have wanted to know the complete story of Sharpe beginning his climb up the ranks of the Brittish army. A real treat for readers is the appearance of Sgt Obidiah Hakeswilll, the villian who has become a favorite of mine. This book is well writen and one of my personal favorites of the Sharpe series. It seems to show more of the vulnerability that is encased in the young Richard Sharpe. The battles in India also add to the readers understanding of Brittish colonialism. After completing this novel I could not help but eagerly await the next Sharpe novel "Triumph".
Rating:
Summary: brilliant, just brilliant
Review: ever since seeing Shape's Eagle on TV i have wanted to read one of the Sharpe books and this is better than the film.
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