The Sharpe novels are always enjoyable ( )

I'd advise not reading the author's note at the end of the book, because it tips the novel's John Bull-ishness right over the edge into jingoism. The body of the book is hardly great literature, but it's enjoyable--it could have been edited down, but as a dubiously-historical recounting of Waterloo from the first skirmishes at Quatre Bras to the defeat of the Imperial Guard, it rollicks along amiably enough. Its biggest flaw, however, is that Sharpe just doesn't have a much of a purpose. His mov...more I'd advise not reading the author's note at the end of the book, because it tips the novel's John Bull-ishness right over the edge into jingoism. The body of the book is hardly great literature, but it's enjoyable--it could have been edited down, but as a dubiously-historical recounting of Waterloo from the first skirmishes at Quatre Bras to the defeat of the Imperial Guard, it rollicks along amiably enough. Its biggest flaw, however, is that Sharpe just doesn't have a much of a purpose. His movement from place to place on the line feels very forced after a while; Cornwell is clearly trying to manoeuvre him around so that he's always at the focal point of the battle, and it grows contrived. I could also have done without constant mentions of Harper and his "Gaelic war cries." Nothing needles me quicker than cod Oirishness. ( )

No. 20 in the Richard Sharpe series.

This, the culmination of the series to which all previous installments have pointed, is without question Cornwell’s best book. While Sharpe’s personal life does enter into it, at least 3/4 of the book if not more is devoted to the complex Battle of Waterloo which took place from Thursday, June 15 with Napoleon’s invasion of the Netherlands to the final, epic, and hair-raising battle near the village of Waterloo on Sunday, June 18. Cornwell does a brilliant job of depicting the speed of Napoleon’s invasion and the way he caught the Allies completely flat-footed.

Sharpe is not with Wellington’s army but instead is attached, as a Lieutenant Colonel, to the staff of the leader of the forces of the Netherlands, the young Prince of Orange. From this position, he watches helplessly as the French capitalize on mistake after mistake by Wellington’s allied commanders, particularly the Prince of Orange; at the climax of the battle, he and Harper can not stand by any longer and thrust themselves into the fighting.

History has recorded that Wellington won, but it was a close thing. Cornwell expertly milks every drop of excitement from this battle in yet another—and his best—page-turning thriller. It’s a marvelous accomplishment.

Highly recommended. ( )

One of the best in the Sharpe series. Most of the book is dedicated to the Battle of Waterloo itself, but Cornwell's writing hooks the reader and won't let go. Un-put-downable. ( )