The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?

The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?

A different Sharpe, 22 Oct 2008
I loved this book. It's a change of direction for Sharpe and shows a vunerable Sharpe, but that's why I liked it. I love the usual Sharpe formula, but after reading over 10 books of this series so far it was a nice change.

One of the best in the series, 02 Oct 2007
In the summer of 1812 the British capture Salamanca with relative ease, but Sharpe sees both his commanding officer and a young ensign treacherously killed by a captured French officer. Sharpe vows to avenge them, and his personal vendetta turns out to be of the utmost military importance too, because this same French officer is after the life of one of Britain's most valuable spies in Spain.

Another classic Sharpe-novel, action-packed, and with one of the most desirable women Sharpe ever came across!

Does 5 Stars do this book Justice...?, 05 Sep 2005
I picked up this book after reading all the sharpe books in chronicological order from Sharpe's tiger where we experience Private Sharpe in India, reading and learning how he foight to rise to Captain Richard Sharpe of the South Essex's Light Company. This book is absolutely brilliant, a great triumph for Bernard Cornwell(i recommend the Last Kingdom as well). We learn that shar[e becomes entangled in a world of spies and politics, his loving affar for the La Marqueasa and his bitter hatred for the renowned french spy Colonel Leroux his is threatening the entire of Britians spy network ranging from Paris to the coasts of Portugal. The book also contains Sharpe's near death (he was shot in the stomach, a near fatal wound) and once again we experience the private humour between Sharpe, Sergeant Harper (Sharpe's closest companion and friend) and Lieutenant Price (one of Sharpe's officers). I recommend this book to any Bernard Cornwell fan, no, any historucal fiction fan who is looking for a fantstic book to read. Deserves more than 5 stars!!

Words Aren't Enough to Describe It!!!!, 03 Dec 2000
This is the best book in the Sharpe collection. It has all the components that make the Sharpe books unforgettable, action, romance and loyalty.

There's no question that Bernard Cornwell's ever-growing magnum opus consists of his books featuring the doughty soldier Richard Shape, of which Sharpe's Escape is the 20th title. All the elements that aficionados look for in Cornwell's books are firmly and satisfyingly in place. The year is 1810, and the British Army is struggling against the confident French, who are assailing Portugal once again. As British soldiers cross into Spain, they find a hunger-ridden, depleted land. In the middle of the chaos is Captain of the Light Company, Richard Sharpe, who has found a new nemesis in Ferragus, a duplicitous Portuguese man well-connected with the French invaders. However, the battle between the two men takes a more dangerous turn, when Sharpe, no longer with his regiment, takes some unorthodox routes to prosecute his personal battle. With only his ex-colleague, the reliable Sergeant Harper and a Portuguese ally, Jorge Vicente, to help confront myriad enemies, the Sharpe/Ferragus duel is fought through the ruined streets of Coimbra and on to Lisbon, as Wellington mounts a coup de grace against the French.

Bernard Cornwell fans know what to expect: vivid scene-setting and pithy historical detail (never artificially freighted in, always comfortably ensconced), exhilarating action set-pieces, and (riding above it all) the larger-than-life figure of Richard Sharpe, realised with real bravura. --Barry Forshaw

The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?

A different Sharpe, 22 Oct 2008
I loved this book. It's a change of direction for Sharpe and shows a vunerable Sharpe, but that's why I liked it. I love the usual Sharpe formula, but after reading over 10 books of this series so far it was a nice change.

One of the best in the series, 02 Oct 2007
In the summer of 1812 the British capture Salamanca with relative ease, but Sharpe sees both his commanding officer and a young ensign treacherously killed by a captured French officer. Sharpe vows to avenge them, and his personal vendetta turns out to be of the utmost military importance too, because this same French officer is after the life of one of Britain's most valuable spies in Spain.

Another classic Sharpe-novel, action-packed, and with one of the most desirable women Sharpe ever came across!

Does 5 Stars do this book Justice...?, 05 Sep 2005
I picked up this book after reading all the sharpe books in chronicological order from Sharpe's tiger where we experience Private Sharpe in India, reading and learning how he foight to rise to Captain Richard Sharpe of the South Essex's Light Company. This book is absolutely brilliant, a great triumph for Bernard Cornwell(i recommend the Last Kingdom as well). We learn that shar[e becomes entangled in a world of spies and politics, his loving affar for the La Marqueasa and his bitter hatred for the renowned french spy Colonel Leroux his is threatening the entire of Britians spy network ranging from Paris to the coasts of Portugal. The book also contains Sharpe's near death (he was shot in the stomach, a near fatal wound) and once again we experience the private humour between Sharpe, Sergeant Harper (Sharpe's closest companion and friend) and Lieutenant Price (one of Sharpe's officers). I recommend this book to any Bernard Cornwell fan, no, any historucal fiction fan who is looking for a fantstic book to read. Deserves more than 5 stars!!

Words Aren't Enough to Describe It!!!!, 03 Dec 2000
This is the best book in the Sharpe collection. It has all the components that make the Sharpe books unforgettable, action, romance and loyalty.

liked it as a first timer, 24 Nov 2008
This is the first time, that I came across a Sharpe's novel.

As I have never been really interested in the Napoleonic wars, I had no real knowledge of what was actually going on during this time.

As a result of this I started researching the battle at Bussaco and the lines of the Torres Vedas. I found Sharpe's book to be a satisfyingly exact battle description at the ridge of Bussaco. The actual battle scenes did not bore me at all, surprisingly, but I can see this happen, in case all books are written in a similar manner.

So, I have thorougly enjoyed my new adventure and will surely pick up another Sharpe novel, but I don't think it'll hold my interest long enough, to actually read all of them in a stretch.

Back on form, 22 Oct 2008
This is one of the best in the series to date. New enemies that really get to you, a heroin that you can picture. Have to say this book pulls you into Sharpe's world in a way that some of the others dont always, and your desire for Sharpe to defeat his enemy feels like the old rivalry with Hakeswill. Back to your best Cornwell!

High adventure in Portugal, 22 Sep 2007
'Sharpe's Escape' is set in 1810 when Wellington is withdrawing his army behind the Lines at Torres Vedras. During the retreat Sharpe gets isolated at Coimbra and - amidst French enemy troops and Portuguese traitors - battle his way back to his South Essex batallion.

There are precious few certainties in life but, as in any other Sharpe-novel, 'Sharpe's Escape' has all the usual ingredients that make these novels so eminently enjoyable and account for their huge success: fast-paced action, villains and heroes, and a couple of very impressive women. So if you've enjoyed earlier novels rest assured: you'll definitely love this one as well.

Cornwells betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books at the same time including the excellent Redcoat aas well as the nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

A \Great Escape, 03 Mar 2006
I picked this book up without having read any Sharpe novels before and found myself really enjoying it. From the harsh realities of an everyday soldiers life during the Napoleanic wars to the intrigue of the underworld that attempts to operate while the country is being torn apart, this is a great tale of adventure, with such description of the battle scenes which Cornwell is a master of. I found it hard to put this book down and will definitely read more Sharpe. If you like historical books with plenty of action then this fits the criteria.

The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?

A different Sharpe, 22 Oct 2008
I loved this book. It's a change of direction for Sharpe and shows a vunerable Sharpe, but that's why I liked it. I love the usual Sharpe formula, but after reading over 10 books of this series so far it was a nice change.

One of the best in the series, 02 Oct 2007
In the summer of 1812 the British capture Salamanca with relative ease, but Sharpe sees both his commanding officer and a young ensign treacherously killed by a captured French officer. Sharpe vows to avenge them, and his personal vendetta turns out to be of the utmost military importance too, because this same French officer is after the life of one of Britain's most valuable spies in Spain.

Another classic Sharpe-novel, action-packed, and with one of the most desirable women Sharpe ever came across!

Does 5 Stars do this book Justice...?, 05 Sep 2005
I picked up this book after reading all the sharpe books in chronicological order from Sharpe's tiger where we experience Private Sharpe in India, reading and learning how he foight to rise to Captain Richard Sharpe of the South Essex's Light Company. This book is absolutely brilliant, a great triumph for Bernard Cornwell(i recommend the Last Kingdom as well). We learn that shar[e becomes entangled in a world of spies and politics, his loving affar for the La Marqueasa and his bitter hatred for the renowned french spy Colonel Leroux his is threatening the entire of Britians spy network ranging from Paris to the coasts of Portugal. The book also contains Sharpe's near death (he was shot in the stomach, a near fatal wound) and once again we experience the private humour between Sharpe, Sergeant Harper (Sharpe's closest companion and friend) and Lieutenant Price (one of Sharpe's officers). I recommend this book to any Bernard Cornwell fan, no, any historucal fiction fan who is looking for a fantstic book to read. Deserves more than 5 stars!!

Words Aren't Enough to Describe It!!!!, 03 Dec 2000
This is the best book in the Sharpe collection. It has all the components that make the Sharpe books unforgettable, action, romance and loyalty.

liked it as a first timer, 24 Nov 2008
This is the first time, that I came across a Sharpe's novel.

As I have never been really interested in the Napoleonic wars, I had no real knowledge of what was actually going on during this time.

As a result of this I started researching the battle at Bussaco and the lines of the Torres Vedas. I found Sharpe's book to be a satisfyingly exact battle description at the ridge of Bussaco. The actual battle scenes did not bore me at all, surprisingly, but I can see this happen, in case all books are written in a similar manner.

So, I have thorougly enjoyed my new adventure and will surely pick up another Sharpe novel, but I don't think it'll hold my interest long enough, to actually read all of them in a stretch.

Back on form, 22 Oct 2008
This is one of the best in the series to date. New enemies that really get to you, a heroin that you can picture. Have to say this book pulls you into Sharpe's world in a way that some of the others dont always, and your desire for Sharpe to defeat his enemy feels like the old rivalry with Hakeswill. Back to your best Cornwell!

High adventure in Portugal, 22 Sep 2007
'Sharpe's Escape' is set in 1810 when Wellington is withdrawing his army behind the Lines at Torres Vedras. During the retreat Sharpe gets isolated at Coimbra and - amidst French enemy troops and Portuguese traitors - battle his way back to his South Essex batallion.

There are precious few certainties in life but, as in any other Sharpe-novel, 'Sharpe's Escape' has all the usual ingredients that make these novels so eminently enjoyable and account for their huge success: fast-paced action, villains and heroes, and a couple of very impressive women. So if you've enjoyed earlier novels rest assured: you'll definitely love this one as well.

Cornwells betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books at the same time including the excellent Redcoat aas well as the nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

A \Great Escape, 03 Mar 2006
I picked this book up without having read any Sharpe novels before and found myself really enjoying it. From the harsh realities of an everyday soldiers life during the Napoleanic wars to the intrigue of the underworld that attempts to operate while the country is being torn apart, this is a great tale of adventure, with such description of the battle scenes which Cornwell is a master of. I found it hard to put this book down and will definitely read more Sharpe. If you like historical books with plenty of action then this fits the criteria.

In all sorts of trouble, 22 Oct 2008
Is this the end of Richard Sharpe.......... our hero is arrested and there seems no way out. Ducos has him stitched up good and proper! As usual a classic Sharpe novel with blood, guts and glory....... getting near the end of a superb series!

Another great adventure for Sharpe, 22 Oct 2007
This Sharpe-novel, as many others, begins with a battle scene: Sharpe, by now a staff officer of General Nairn, is present at (and participates in) the final battle before the capture of Toulouse. Soon after the allies learn that Napoleon actually abdicated two days earlier in Paris, and the Peninsular war has ended. Sharpe, at first, is glad and relieved: the years begin to take their toll, as a married man he feels more reluctant than before to risk life and limb, and he yearns to settle in rural England to live of the king's ransom he secured after the battle of Vitoria.

However, things soon take a turn for the worse when Sharpe is wrongfully accused not only of having stolen Napoleon's personal treasure which the new French government is eager to retrieve, but of having murdered the sole witness. So Sharpe must escape, and as a fugitive for both the English and French authorities find out who's behind the scheme that could cost him his life.

Because of the sheer number of comparable novels Cornwell has written it might seem almost normal that, yet again, this is a superb adventure novel, perhaps one of the best in the entire series, and of a quality many other authors never or rarely achieve. The plot is extremely well done, with Sharpe at first groping in the dark to find out who's out to get him, and when he does discover the culprit he makes it absolutely clear that no one crosses Major Richard Sharpe and gets away with it.

And now, sadly, there's only "Sharpe's Waterloo" left for me to read!

Enthralled once again by Sharpe, 06 Aug 2000
Each time I pick up a new Sharpe novel I always think it's going to be just like the last one. And to some extent it is. Cornwell's "same old" formula is most definitely a recipe for success. Once again I was gripped by Sharpe's exploits and found it hard to put the book down. I've read all the Sharpe peninsular war novels in chronological order up to this one, and though I cannot now recall where one finishes and the next one starts I almost feel like I've been there with him. Sharpe, Harper and comrades seem like good friends. And that's why, without spoiling the story I found the manner of the parting of Sharpe, Harper and Frederickson quite moving. Sharpe is unusually aware of his own mortality in this tale, not so do or die at all. I suppose we all change as we get older. Ducos, however, does not change, if you've met him and hated him before, you'll hate him just as much now. This is as good as any Sharpe I've read, give it a whirl.

From the earliest times, human beings have looked at the sun and the moon, and at life and death, and have imagined gods who control such things, and looked for ways to control those gods... In Stonehenge, Bernard Cornwell, famous for his novels about Rifleman Sharpe's adventures in the Napoleonic wars and for a sequence of brutally realistic Arthurian novels, considers the men and women who built Stonehenge and Avebury. These stone circles are impressive enough today; but all the more so if you imagine shifting stones from Wales to Salisbury Plain by raft and roller, dressing them with burning fat and grindstones, hauling the lintel stones up tiers of platforms.

"The oxen were goaded again, and, finger's breadth by finger's breadth, the huge stone eased forward until half of it was poised and then the oxen tugged once more and Saban was shouting at the beasts' drivers to halt the animals because the stone was tipping at last. For a heartbeat, it seemed to balance on the ramp's edge, then its leading half crashed down onto the timbers, then the great boulder slid down the ramp to lodge against the hole's face."

It is the story of Saban, made architect against his will; of his brothers Lengar, the aspiring conqueror and Camaban, the cripple-turned-magician. It is the story of Derrewynn, princess-turned-witch, and Aurenna, sacrifice-turned-priestess queen. Stonehenge is an epic tale of people as smart as us, inventing religion and mythology and forcing their wills on the world and each other. --Roz Kaveney

The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?

A different Sharpe, 22 Oct 2008
I loved this book. It's a change of direction for Sharpe and shows a vunerable Sharpe, but that's why I liked it. I love the usual Sharpe formula, but after reading over 10 books of this series so far it was a nice change.

One of the best in the series, 02 Oct 2007
In the summer of 1812 the British capture Salamanca with relative ease, but Sharpe sees both his commanding officer and a young ensign treacherously killed by a captured French officer. Sharpe vows to avenge them, and his personal vendetta turns out to be of the utmost military importance too, because this same French officer is after the life of one of Britain's most valuable spies in Spain.

Another classic Sharpe-novel, action-packed, and with one of the most desirable women Sharpe ever came across!

Does 5 Stars do this book Justice...?, 05 Sep 2005
I picked up this book after reading all the sharpe books in chronicological order from Sharpe's tiger where we experience Private Sharpe in India, reading and learning how he foight to rise to Captain Richard Sharpe of the South Essex's Light Company. This book is absolutely brilliant, a great triumph for Bernard Cornwell(i recommend the Last Kingdom as well). We learn that shar[e becomes entangled in a world of spies and politics, his loving affar for the La Marqueasa and his bitter hatred for the renowned french spy Colonel Leroux his is threatening the entire of Britians spy network ranging from Paris to the coasts of Portugal. The book also contains Sharpe's near death (he was shot in the stomach, a near fatal wound) and once again we experience the private humour between Sharpe, Sergeant Harper (Sharpe's closest companion and friend) and Lieutenant Price (one of Sharpe's officers). I recommend this book to any Bernard Cornwell fan, no, any historucal fiction fan who is looking for a fantstic book to read. Deserves more than 5 stars!!

Words Aren't Enough to Describe It!!!!, 03 Dec 2000
This is the best book in the Sharpe collection. It has all the components that make the Sharpe books unforgettable, action, romance and loyalty.

liked it as a first timer, 24 Nov 2008
This is the first time, that I came across a Sharpe's novel.

As I have never been really interested in the Napoleonic wars, I had no real knowledge of what was actually going on during this time.

As a result of this I started researching the battle at Bussaco and the lines of the Torres Vedas. I found Sharpe's book to be a satisfyingly exact battle description at the ridge of Bussaco. The actual battle scenes did not bore me at all, surprisingly, but I can see this happen, in case all books are written in a similar manner.

So, I have thorougly enjoyed my new adventure and will surely pick up another Sharpe novel, but I don't think it'll hold my interest long enough, to actually read all of them in a stretch.

Back on form, 22 Oct 2008
This is one of the best in the series to date. New enemies that really get to you, a heroin that you can picture. Have to say this book pulls you into Sharpe's world in a way that some of the others dont always, and your desire for Sharpe to defeat his enemy feels like the old rivalry with Hakeswill. Back to your best Cornwell!

High adventure in Portugal, 22 Sep 2007
'Sharpe's Escape' is set in 1810 when Wellington is withdrawing his army behind the Lines at Torres Vedras. During the retreat Sharpe gets isolated at Coimbra and - amidst French enemy troops and Portuguese traitors - battle his way back to his South Essex batallion.

There are precious few certainties in life but, as in any other Sharpe-novel, 'Sharpe's Escape' has all the usual ingredients that make these novels so eminently enjoyable and account for their huge success: fast-paced action, villains and heroes, and a couple of very impressive women. So if you've enjoyed earlier novels rest assured: you'll definitely love this one as well.

Cornwells betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books at the same time including the excellent Redcoat aas well as the nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

A \Great Escape, 03 Mar 2006
I picked this book up without having read any Sharpe novels before and found myself really enjoying it. From the harsh realities of an everyday soldiers life during the Napoleanic wars to the intrigue of the underworld that attempts to operate while the country is being torn apart, this is a great tale of adventure, with such description of the battle scenes which Cornwell is a master of. I found it hard to put this book down and will definitely read more Sharpe. If you like historical books with plenty of action then this fits the criteria.

In all sorts of trouble, 22 Oct 2008
Is this the end of Richard Sharpe.......... our hero is arrested and there seems no way out. Ducos has him stitched up good and proper! As usual a classic Sharpe novel with blood, guts and glory....... getting near the end of a superb series!

Another great adventure for Sharpe, 22 Oct 2007
This Sharpe-novel, as many others, begins with a battle scene: Sharpe, by now a staff officer of General Nairn, is present at (and participates in) the final battle before the capture of Toulouse. Soon after the allies learn that Napoleon actually abdicated two days earlier in Paris, and the Peninsular war has ended. Sharpe, at first, is glad and relieved: the years begin to take their toll, as a married man he feels more reluctant than before to risk life and limb, and he yearns to settle in rural England to live of the king's ransom he secured after the battle of Vitoria.

However, things soon take a turn for the worse when Sharpe is wrongfully accused not only of having stolen Napoleon's personal treasure which the new French government is eager to retrieve, but of having murdered the sole witness. So Sharpe must escape, and as a fugitive for both the English and French authorities find out who's behind the scheme that could cost him his life.

Because of the sheer number of comparable novels Cornwell has written it might seem almost normal that, yet again, this is a superb adventure novel, perhaps one of the best in the entire series, and of a quality many other authors never or rarely achieve. The plot is extremely well done, with Sharpe at first groping in the dark to find out who's out to get him, and when he does discover the culprit he makes it absolutely clear that no one crosses Major Richard Sharpe and gets away with it.

And now, sadly, there's only "Sharpe's Waterloo" left for me to read!

Enthralled once again by Sharpe, 06 Aug 2000
Each time I pick up a new Sharpe novel I always think it's going to be just like the last one. And to some extent it is. Cornwell's "same old" formula is most definitely a recipe for success. Once again I was gripped by Sharpe's exploits and found it hard to put the book down. I've read all the Sharpe peninsular war novels in chronological order up to this one, and though I cannot now recall where one finishes and the next one starts I almost feel like I've been there with him. Sharpe, Harper and comrades seem like good friends. And that's why, without spoiling the story I found the manner of the parting of Sharpe, Harper and Frederickson quite moving. Sharpe is unusually aware of his own mortality in this tale, not so do or die at all. I suppose we all change as we get older. Ducos, however, does not change, if you've met him and hated him before, you'll hate him just as much now. This is as good as any Sharpe I've read, give it a whirl.

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?

A different Sharpe, 22 Oct 2008
I loved this book. It's a change of direction for Sharpe and shows a vunerable Sharpe, but that's why I liked it. I love the usual Sharpe formula, but after reading over 10 books of this series so far it was a nice change.

One of the best in the series, 02 Oct 2007
In the summer of 1812 the British capture Salamanca with relative ease, but Sharpe sees both his commanding officer and a young ensign treacherously killed by a captured French officer. Sharpe vows to avenge them, and his personal vendetta turns out to be of the utmost military importance too, because this same French officer is after the life of one of Britain's most valuable spies in Spain.

Another classic Sharpe-novel, action-packed, and with one of the most desirable women Sharpe ever came across!

Does 5 Stars do this book Justice...?, 05 Sep 2005
I picked up this book after reading all the sharpe books in chronicological order from Sharpe's tiger where we experience Private Sharpe in India, reading and learning how he foight to rise to Captain Richard Sharpe of the South Essex's Light Company. This book is absolutely brilliant, a great triumph for Bernard Cornwell(i recommend the Last Kingdom as well). We learn that shar[e becomes entangled in a world of spies and politics, his loving affar for the La Marqueasa and his bitter hatred for the renowned french spy Colonel Leroux his is threatening the entire of Britians spy network ranging from Paris to the coasts of Portugal. The book also contains Sharpe's near death (he was shot in the stomach, a near fatal wound) and once again we experience the private humour between Sharpe, Sergeant Harper (Sharpe's closest companion and friend) and Lieutenant Price (one of Sharpe's officers). I recommend this book to any Bernard Cornwell fan, no, any historucal fiction fan who is looking for a fantstic book to read. Deserves more than 5 stars!!

Words Aren't Enough to Describe It!!!!, 03 Dec 2000
This is the best book in the Sharpe collection. It has all the components that make the Sharpe books unforgettable, action, romance and loyalty.

liked it as a first timer, 24 Nov 2008
This is the first time, that I came across a Sharpe's novel.

As I have never been really interested in the Napoleonic wars, I had no real knowledge of what was actually going on during this time.

As a result of this I started researching the battle at Bussaco and the lines of the Torres Vedas. I found Sharpe's book to be a satisfyingly exact battle description at the ridge of Bussaco. The actual battle scenes did not bore me at all, surprisingly, but I can see this happen, in case all books are written in a similar manner.

So, I have thorougly enjoyed my new adventure and will surely pick up another Sharpe novel, but I don't think it'll hold my interest long enough, to actually read all of them in a stretch.

Back on form, 22 Oct 2008
This is one of the best in the series to date. New enemies that really get to you, a heroin that you can picture. Have to say this book pulls you into Sharpe's world in a way that some of the others dont always, and your desire for Sharpe to defeat his enemy feels like the old rivalry with Hakeswill. Back to your best Cornwell!

High adventure in Portugal, 22 Sep 2007
'Sharpe's Escape' is set in 1810 when Wellington is withdrawing his army behind the Lines at Torres Vedras. During the retreat Sharpe gets isolated at Coimbra and - amidst French enemy troops and Portuguese traitors - battle his way back to his South Essex batallion.

There are precious few certainties in life but, as in any other Sharpe-novel, 'Sharpe's Escape' has all the usual ingredients that make these novels so eminently enjoyable and account for their huge success: fast-paced action, villains and heroes, and a couple of very impressive women. So if you've enjoyed earlier novels rest assured: you'll definitely love this one as well.

Cornwells betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books at the same time including the excellent Redcoat aas well as the nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

A \Great Escape, 03 Mar 2006
I picked this book up without having read any Sharpe novels before and found myself really enjoying it. From the harsh realities of an everyday soldiers life during the Napoleanic wars to the intrigue of the underworld that attempts to operate while the country is being torn apart, this is a great tale of adventure, with such description of the battle scenes which Cornwell is a master of. I found it hard to put this book down and will definitely read more Sharpe. If you like historical books with plenty of action then this fits the criteria.

In all sorts of trouble, 22 Oct 2008
Is this the end of Richard Sharpe.......... our hero is arrested and there seems no way out. Ducos has him stitched up good and proper! As usual a classic Sharpe novel with blood, guts and glory....... getting near the end of a superb series!

Another great adventure for Sharpe, 22 Oct 2007
This Sharpe-novel, as many others, begins with a battle scene: Sharpe, by now a staff officer of General Nairn, is present at (and participates in) the final battle before the capture of Toulouse. Soon after the allies learn that Napoleon actually abdicated two days earlier in Paris, and the Peninsular war has ended. Sharpe, at first, is glad and relieved: the years begin to take their toll, as a married man he feels more reluctant than before to risk life and limb, and he yearns to settle in rural England to live of the king's ransom he secured after the battle of Vitoria.

However, things soon take a turn for the worse when Sharpe is wrongfully accused not only of having stolen Napoleon's personal treasure which the new French government is eager to retrieve, but of having murdered the sole witness. So Sharpe must escape, and as a fugitive for both the English and French authorities find out who's behind the scheme that could cost him his life.

Because of the sheer number of comparable novels Cornwell has written it might seem almost normal that, yet again, this is a superb adventure novel, perhaps one of the best in the entire series, and of a quality many other authors never or rarely achieve. The plot is extremely well done, with Sharpe at first groping in the dark to find out who's out to get him, and when he does discover the culprit he makes it absolutely clear that no one crosses Major Richard Sharpe and gets away with it.

And now, sadly, there's only "Sharpe's Waterloo" left for me to read!

Enthralled once again by Sharpe, 06 Aug 2000
Each time I pick up a new Sharpe novel I always think it's going to be just like the last one. And to some extent it is. Cornwell's "same old" formula is most definitely a recipe for success. Once again I was gripped by Sharpe's exploits and found it hard to put the book down. I've read all the Sharpe peninsular war novels in chronological order up to this one, and though I cannot now recall where one finishes and the next one starts I almost feel like I've been there with him. Sharpe, Harper and comrades seem like good friends. And that's why, without spoiling the story I found the manner of the parting of Sharpe, Harper and Frederickson quite moving. Sharpe is unusually aware of his own mortality in this tale, not so do or die at all. I suppose we all change as we get older. Ducos, however, does not change, if you've met him and hated him before, you'll hate him just as much now. This is as good as any Sharpe I've read, give it a whirl.

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Id as blud, 25 Oct 2008
I used to read cornwell books when I was 14 and I thought they were amazing.

Recently I picked up this book again and had a quick look through and realised why the biggest fans of these books are 40 year old men and 13 year old boys.

His books contist of gory battles puncutated by erotica set in a different historical periods with a few dates and a bit of a plot thrown in (13 year old boys liking this formula becuase they are interested in sex and a box and 40 year old boys because perhaps dont get as much sex and excitment as they got when they were in their prime)

To be fair this book has a mildy engaging plot but there truly are better books, and authors out there.

Cornwell does it again, 22 Oct 2008
This is the second book in the Arthur series and Cornwell keeps up his amazingly consistant and high standards. This is his take on the Arthur legend, using much more of the 'real' story compared to the legend most of us know now. He has incorporated some modern additions to the legend such as Merlin, Lancelot, the Round Table and Camelot, however being Bernard Cornwell he does not deliver these in a standard way, he has his own twist! I agree a little with the other review on here, he recaps a lot of Book 1 on the assumption it may have been a long time for readers in between books, however if you read them in sequence like I did, it is a little annoying. However this is my only small critiscm, and this book is another historical fiction classic.... leaves Britain in turmoil as usual and cannot wait to finish the 3rd and final in the series....

Enemy of sleep!, 13 Jun 2008
this trilogy held my attention, this book particularly with its indepth look at battles, territory and the like. My criticism, for there is one, remains the same as my criticism of the last book and indeed the overall saga, all that spitting! Endlessly recited. He spat. OK, they did it to avert evil but one would think they spent their lives averting evil as they were spitting at every conceivable moment of their lives. It spoiled an otherwise very good series.

2nd part of the greatest Trilogy ever written, 22 Oct 2007
Continues on from The Winter King and skillfully handles many well known elements of the Arthurian legends such as Tristan, Lancelot and Guineveire's 'romance' and the Grail in a realistic well thought out way. The narrator of the story, Derfel Cadarn,friend of Arthur is on top form and brings to life a very realistic view of life in 500AD.
The use of the bitches against the war-dogs during one of the battles against the saxons was brilliant and cunning Merlin and Nimue are again on top Form here. If you can get hold of it try listening to Tim-pigott Smiths audio cassette of this trilogy, he reads it wonderfully and why its not been released on CD yet i dont understand.
Highly Recommended

Amazing continuation of a great saga, 10 Aug 2007
After the great "Winter King" here is the equally splendid second part of the trilogy. Bernard Cornwell managed to keep exactly the same very high level of storytelling and all day life and nature description. The story never gets boring and, even for people knowing the story of Saxon invasions and having some knowledge of Arthurian mythos, there are surprises in every chapter. Author's (and narrator's) dislike of Christianism is even stronger in this book that in the previous, so religious people can be somehow schocked, but still it is a great read.

The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?

A different Sharpe, 22 Oct 2008
I loved this book. It's a change of direction for Sharpe and shows a vunerable Sharpe, but that's why I liked it. I love the usual Sharpe formula, but after reading over 10 books of this series so far it was a nice change.

One of the best in the series, 02 Oct 2007
In the summer of 1812 the British capture Salamanca with relative ease, but Sharpe sees both his commanding officer and a young ensign treacherously killed by a captured French officer. Sharpe vows to avenge them, and his personal vendetta turns out to be of the utmost military importance too, because this same French officer is after the life of one of Britain's most valuable spies in Spain.

Another classic Sharpe-novel, action-packed, and with one of the most desirable women Sharpe ever came across!

Does 5 Stars do this book Justice...?, 05 Sep 2005
I picked up this book after reading all the sharpe books in chronicological order from Sharpe's tiger where we experience Private Sharpe in India, reading and learning how he foight to rise to Captain Richard Sharpe of the South Essex's Light Company. This book is absolutely brilliant, a great triumph for Bernard Cornwell(i recommend the Last Kingdom as well). We learn that shar[e becomes entangled in a world of spies and politics, his loving affar for the La Marqueasa and his bitter hatred for the renowned french spy Colonel Leroux his is threatening the entire of Britians spy network ranging from Paris to the coasts of Portugal. The book also contains Sharpe's near death (he was shot in the stomach, a near fatal wound) and once again we experience the private humour between Sharpe, Sergeant Harper (Sharpe's closest companion and friend) and Lieutenant Price (one of Sharpe's officers). I recommend this book to any Bernard Cornwell fan, no, any historucal fiction fan who is looking for a fantstic book to read. Deserves more than 5 stars!!

Words Aren't Enough to Describe It!!!!, 03 Dec 2000
This is the best book in the Sharpe collection. It has all the components that make the Sharpe books unforgettable, action, romance and loyalty.

liked it as a first timer, 24 Nov 2008
This is the first time, that I came across a Sharpe's novel.

As I have never been really interested in the Napoleonic wars, I had no real knowledge of what was actually going on during this time.

As a result of this I started researching the battle at Bussaco and the lines of the Torres Vedas. I found Sharpe's book to be a satisfyingly exact battle description at the ridge of Bussaco. The actual battle scenes did not bore me at all, surprisingly, but I can see this happen, in case all books are written in a similar manner.

So, I have thorougly enjoyed my new adventure and will surely pick up another Sharpe novel, but I don't think it'll hold my interest long enough, to actually read all of them in a stretch.

Back on form, 22 Oct 2008
This is one of the best in the series to date. New enemies that really get to you, a heroin that you can picture. Have to say this book pulls you into Sharpe's world in a way that some of the others dont always, and your desire for Sharpe to defeat his enemy feels like the old rivalry with Hakeswill. Back to your best Cornwell!

High adventure in Portugal, 22 Sep 2007
'Sharpe's Escape' is set in 1810 when Wellington is withdrawing his army behind the Lines at Torres Vedras. During the retreat Sharpe gets isolated at Coimbra and - amidst French enemy troops and Portuguese traitors - battle his way back to his South Essex batallion.

There are precious few certainties in life but, as in any other Sharpe-novel, 'Sharpe's Escape' has all the usual ingredients that make these novels so eminently enjoyable and account for their huge success: fast-paced action, villains and heroes, and a couple of very impressive women. So if you've enjoyed earlier novels rest assured: you'll definitely love this one as well.

Cornwells betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books at the same time including the excellent Redcoat aas well as the nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

A \Great Escape, 03 Mar 2006
I picked this book up without having read any Sharpe novels before and found myself really enjoying it. From the harsh realities of an everyday soldiers life during the Napoleanic wars to the intrigue of the underworld that attempts to operate while the country is being torn apart, this is a great tale of adventure, with such description of the battle scenes which Cornwell is a master of. I found it hard to put this book down and will definitely read more Sharpe. If you like historical books with plenty of action then this fits the criteria.

In all sorts of trouble, 22 Oct 2008
Is this the end of Richard Sharpe.......... our hero is arrested and there seems no way out. Ducos has him stitched up good and proper! As usual a classic Sharpe novel with blood, guts and glory....... getting near the end of a superb series!

Another great adventure for Sharpe, 22 Oct 2007
This Sharpe-novel, as many others, begins with a battle scene: Sharpe, by now a staff officer of General Nairn, is present at (and participates in) the final battle before the capture of Toulouse. Soon after the allies learn that Napoleon actually abdicated two days earlier in Paris, and the Peninsular war has ended. Sharpe, at first, is glad and relieved: the years begin to take their toll, as a married man he feels more reluctant than before to risk life and limb, and he yearns to settle in rural England to live of the king's ransom he secured after the battle of Vitoria.

However, things soon take a turn for the worse when Sharpe is wrongfully accused not only of having stolen Napoleon's personal treasure which the new French government is eager to retrieve, but of having murdered the sole witness. So Sharpe must escape, and as a fugitive for both the English and French authorities find out who's behind the scheme that could cost him his life.

Because of the sheer number of comparable novels Cornwell has written it might seem almost normal that, yet again, this is a superb adventure novel, perhaps one of the best in the entire series, and of a quality many other authors never or rarely achieve. The plot is extremely well done, with Sharpe at first groping in the dark to find out who's out to get him, and when he does discover the culprit he makes it absolutely clear that no one crosses Major Richard Sharpe and gets away with it.

And now, sadly, there's only "Sharpe's Waterloo" left for me to read!

Enthralled once again by Sharpe, 06 Aug 2000
Each time I pick up a new Sharpe novel I always think it's going to be just like the last one. And to some extent it is. Cornwell's "same old" formula is most definitely a recipe for success. Once again I was gripped by Sharpe's exploits and found it hard to put the book down. I've read all the Sharpe peninsular war novels in chronological order up to this one, and though I cannot now recall where one finishes and the next one starts I almost feel like I've been there with him. Sharpe, Harper and comrades seem like good friends. And that's why, without spoiling the story I found the manner of the parting of Sharpe, Harper and Frederickson quite moving. Sharpe is unusually aware of his own mortality in this tale, not so do or die at all. I suppose we all change as we get older. Ducos, however, does not change, if you've met him and hated him before, you'll hate him just as much now. This is as good as any Sharpe I've read, give it a whirl.

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Id as blud, 25 Oct 2008
I used to read cornwell books when I was 14 and I thought they were amazing.

Recently I picked up this book again and had a quick look through and realised why the biggest fans of these books are 40 year old men and 13 year old boys.

His books contist of gory battles puncutated by erotica set in a different historical periods with a few dates and a bit of a plot thrown in (13 year old boys liking this formula becuase they are interested in sex and a box and 40 year old boys because perhaps dont get as much sex and excitment as they got when they were in their prime)

To be fair this book has a mildy engaging plot but there truly are better books, and authors out there.

Cornwell does it again, 22 Oct 2008
This is the second book in the Arthur series and Cornwell keeps up his amazingly consistant and high standards. This is his take on the Arthur legend, using much more of the 'real' story compared to the legend most of us know now. He has incorporated some modern additions to the legend such as Merlin, Lancelot, the Round Table and Camelot, however being Bernard Cornwell he does not deliver these in a standard way, he has his own twist! I agree a little with the other review on here, he recaps a lot of Book 1 on the assumption it may have been a long time for readers in between books, however if you read them in sequence like I did, it is a little annoying. However this is my only small critiscm, and this book is another historical fiction classic.... leaves Britain in turmoil as usual and cannot wait to finish the 3rd and final in the series....

Enemy of sleep!, 13 Jun 2008
this trilogy held my attention, this book particularly with its indepth look at battles, territory and the like. My criticism, for there is one, remains the same as my criticism of the last book and indeed the overall saga, all that spitting! Endlessly recited. He spat. OK, they did it to avert evil but one would think they spent their lives averting evil as they were spitting at every conceivable moment of their lives. It spoiled an otherwise very good series.

2nd part of the greatest Trilogy ever written, 22 Oct 2007
Continues on from The Winter King and skillfully handles many well known elements of the Arthurian legends such as Tristan, Lancelot and Guineveire's 'romance' and the Grail in a realistic well thought out way. The narrator of the story, Derfel Cadarn,friend of Arthur is on top form and brings to life a very realistic view of life in 500AD.
The use of the bitches against the war-dogs during one of the battles against the saxons was brilliant and cunning Merlin and Nimue are again on top Form here. If you can get hold of it try listening to Tim-pigott Smiths audio cassette of this trilogy, he reads it wonderfully and why its not been released on CD yet i dont understand.
Highly Recommended

Amazing continuation of a great saga, 10 Aug 2007
After the great "Winter King" here is the equally splendid second part of the trilogy. Bernard Cornwell managed to keep exactly the same very high level of storytelling and all day life and nature description. The story never gets boring and, even for people knowing the story of Saxon invasions and having some knowledge of Arthurian mythos, there are surprises in every chapter. Author's (and narrator's) dislike of Christianism is even stronger in this book that in the previous, so religious people can be somehow schocked, but still it is a great read.


Glory in the Midst of Bloody Battles and Duplicity, 07 Nov 2008
If you haven't yet read Sharpe's Tiger, I recommend that you begin your reading of this exciting series with that book. The characters and story in Sharpe's Triumph will make more sense that way.

If you liked Sharpe's Tiger, you will probably enjoy Sharpe's Triumph even more. The story here is more historically accurate, the various battles are brilliantly described, and readers will find it easier to identify with Sharpe as the hero of the story.

As the book opens, Sergeant Sharpe has been sent to pick up some ammunition . . . a seemingly dull assignment that soon becomes quite meaningful. There's a rogue lieutenant from the British East India Company who has a bounty on his head, and Sharpe is soon drawn into the search for Lieutenant Dodd and the sepoys he took with him.

In the background, Sharpe has been enjoying a leisurely four years since he earned his sergeant's stripes in Sharpe's Tiger. The cushion that his wealth has brought is about to become a curse, however.

In the search for Dodd, Sharpe is presented with the opportunity to better his station in life, meets a new love interest, and has some hard choices to make.

The high point of the story comes in the detailed recounting of the Battle of Assaye which was important to defeating the Indian forces and helped establish the reputation of Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington).

Those who don't want to read about the bloody side of war would do well to avoid this book.


Superb, 22 Oct 2008
I am so glad that Bernard Cornwell went back to do these. I was lucky enough to read all in date order (I got into these in the past 6 months). Reading the later books makes so much sense as they constantly refer back to previous exploits. It's really interesting to see him rising up the ranks, seems to make everything make sense. Typical rip-roaring Sharpe novel.... cant put them down!

Truimph - certainly is, 22 May 2008
The second of the Indian Trilogy and it continues i