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Sharpe's Waterloo
Richard Sharpe and the Waterloo Campaign 15 June to 18 June 1815
Book - 1990
Penguin Putnam
June 1815: The Duke of Wellington, the Prince of Orange, and Napoleon will meet on the battlefield--and decide the fate of Europe
With the emperor Napoleon at its head, an enormous French army is marching toward Brussels. The British and their allies are also converging on Brussels--in preparation for a grand society ball. It is up to Richard Sharpe to convince the Prince of Orange, the inexperienced commander of Wellington's Dutch troops, to act before it is too late. But Sharpe's warning cannot stop the tide of battle, and the British suffer heavy losses on the road to Waterloo.
Wellington has few reserves of men and ammunition; the Prussian army has not arrived; and the French advance wields tremendous firepower and determination. Victory seems impossible.
Baker & Taylor
As the British and their allies enjoy society in 1815 Brussels, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sharpe discovers that a powerful French army is approaching and that an epic confrontation at Waterloo is inevitable.
June 1815: The Duke of Wellington, the Prince of Orange, and Napoleon will meet on the battlefield--and decide the fate of Europe
With the emperor Napoleon at its head, an enormous French army is marching toward Brussels. The British and their allies are also converging on Brussels--in preparation for a grand society ball. It is up to Richard Sharpe to convince the Prince of Orange, the inexperienced commander of Wellington's Dutch troops, to act before it is too late. But Sharpe's warning cannot stop the tide of battle, and the British suffer heavy losses on the road to Waterloo.
Wellington has few reserves of men and ammunition; the Prussian army has not arrived; and the French advance wields tremendous firepower and determination. Victory seems impossible.
Baker & Taylor
As the British and their allies enjoy society in 1815 Brussels, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sharpe discovers that a powerful French army is approaching and that an epic confrontation at Waterloo is inevitable.
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Publisher:
London : Collins, 1990
ISBN:
9780140294392
0140294392
9780006510420
0006510426
9780002236430
0002236435
0140294392
9780006510420
0006510426
9780002236430
0002236435
Characteristics:
378 p. : maps ; 24 cm
Alternative Title:
Waterloo
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Add a CommentI am a fan of Cornwell's historical/adventure novels. According to the blurb, this is his first non-fiction title. And that topic, as the subtitle suggests, is enormous. Cornwell manages to keep the narrative moving reasonable briskly - testimony to his superlative powers as a storyteller. The reader seeking the true story need not worry that Cornwell fails to take the role of historian seriously - he does. Excellent maps and illustrations helped me follow this complex, fascinating tale.
The contrast in reviews is interesting to me since I think they represent two types of people drawn to historical nonfiction. I belong to the first group....don't like battle details (boring) but do like the politics, repercussions, personality profiles of important figures and their major interactions.
I just don't care for shot by shot depictions of battles. I am far more interested in the politics - that leading up to the battle, and the political implications of the result, and speculation on what may have happened had things gone otherwise. Long detailed narratives of who did what to whom on which ridge put me to sleep.
Cornwell's first foray into nonfiction is well written and well researched and has a narrative feel to it. The human element is added by having letters and diary entries from people who fought in the battle. You realize how close the battle came to being lost.
If you can, get hold of the DVDs that were made of this series starring Sean Bean. If you enjoyed the books, you will love the movies!
If you've read any other of Cornwell's books, you will have come to expect excitement; lots of action, gore and guts; and stories that authentically fit the time frame in which they are set. Cornwell has written a slew of books that star the character Sharpe. This is the first one I've read in this series --- I'm quick to get in line for others in the series.
Cornwell's specialty is histric fiction --- this time Napoleon's last battle. He has returned from his exile on Elba and is making his last attempt to retake Europe. The name of the battle has become virtually synonimous wikth defeat: Waterloo. The losses on both sides were immense --- once again the flower of a generation spilled its blood on the battlefield. Read this epic and you'll realize what a near thing the whole affair was. Wellington and his forces could easily have failed to take the day.
Enjoy the book --- read it all up --- and then head on out to your library for more!