Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Berkley (2004), Edition: Reprint, 286 pages
Description
Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML: In an age of heroes and death before dishonor, one man stands above the rest. It is January 1812. Captain Richard Sharpe has one mission: to thwart Napoleon's dreams of an empire. To accomplish that goal, Sharpe and the fighting men of the Light Company must seize the fortress of Badajoz, which looms on the border of Portugal and Spain. To lead an assault on its thick, sheer walls and battlements is suicide, yet Sharpe has no choice, for the stakes have suddenly become personal. Inside the walls are his wife and daughter, and only he can save them. Outside is the misshapen, vengeance-crazed Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, a man determined to kill Sharpe. Sharpe knows that in the heat of battle, only the cold steel of his battered sword and the ruthless bloodlust of a soldier at war will protect him from the danger of both sides..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Joycepa
Number 13 in the Richard Sharpe series.
Sharpe is still in Spain with Wellington’s army. After the slaughter at Fuentes de Oñoro, Sharpe and the South Essex are moving on the French-held fort of Ciudad Rodrigo—and after that, the far more formidable fort of Badajoz.
For those who follow the
My edition also has an excellent diagram of the fortress of Badajoz, showing the fortifications and the British batteries. I didn't realize that the diagram was even in the book until after I'd finished it; some editions do not have maps or diagrams so I wasn't expecting one. But I really didn't miss much. Cornwell writes so graphically, so vividly, that it was easy to imagine the entire situation.
For those who love military historical fiction, the entire series is a real winner. I find myself ever more interested in the period, which I never expected. Highly recommended.
Sharpe is still in Spain with Wellington’s army. After the slaughter at Fuentes de Oñoro, Sharpe and the South Essex are moving on the French-held fort of Ciudad Rodrigo—and after that, the far more formidable fort of Badajoz.
For those who follow the
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series, this is a typical Cornwell production: meticulous historical research, taking liberties when he has to (but telling us where and how) in order to write yet another gripping story; brilliantly-realized battle scenes; outstanding detail; and last but never least, excellent writing throughout. In particular, Cornwell’s attention to detail—weather, topography, the ordinary life of a British soldier of the period—lend this book as well as the others the solid feel of authenticity. Sharpe himself and the other recurring characters are not particularly well-developed, but neither are they one-dimensional and boring. Cornwell portrays Wellington in a sympathetic way.My edition also has an excellent diagram of the fortress of Badajoz, showing the fortifications and the British batteries. I didn't realize that the diagram was even in the book until after I'd finished it; some editions do not have maps or diagrams so I wasn't expecting one. But I really didn't miss much. Cornwell writes so graphically, so vividly, that it was easy to imagine the entire situation.
For those who love military historical fiction, the entire series is a real winner. I find myself ever more interested in the period, which I never expected. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member kittyjay
Bold, Professional, Ruthless – Hero and Man of Action.
One day, I will have that printed on business cards. Until then, I am content to read about the exploits of Richard Sharpe, an officer brought up from the ranks, who fights as a rifleman in the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe’s Company finds Captain
Probably my favorite after Sharpe’s Eagle, Company stands out for several reasons: the first is that we meet Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, a loathsome creature and villain who opposed Sharpe earlier in the India prequels. I have heard that Cornwell admitted he had a hard time creating a villain in equal to Hakeswill, and it’s evident in the crop of devious and diabolical enemies Sharpe faces: Loup, the ruthless Frenchman; Simmerson, a useless and cowardly political enemy; and others who have come and gone. Hakeswill is a marvel; it seems amazing that a fictional creation can inspire so much blood-boiling rage, but Hakeswill manages it with every twitch and cackle. He’s in fine form in Company, rotting the battalion from within, attempting to murder Sharpe, and persecuting the genial Harper.
The other reason it stands out is in the sheer scale of the book. Old friends, like the loyal and hero-worshiping Robert Knowles and the laconic American Leroy, rub shoulders with the new, like the affably drunk letch Lieutenant Harry Price. Hogan, of course, is there, along with many others. And the siege itself is bloody and dangerous and horrendous. Of all the battles and sieges, Badajoz stands out as one of the most terrible. Cornwell describes bodies stacked high in a ditch, of fighting through the grasping hands of the wounded, the sheer scale of the damage taken in the siege. Its descriptions are terrifying and terrible.
It is, also, a turning point for the philandering Sharpe – though I won’t spoil why.
Savvy readers might notice a few inconsistencies sprinkled throughout. They are, for the most part, minor, and an almost unavoidable side effect of writing a chronological series out of order. Some readers may have picked up in an earlier book when Sharpe claims to have never met Daddy Hill, despite talking with him a book previous. These are much the same. The matter and manner of Sharpe’s flogging are not in line with the story given in the India trilogy, but mistakes can be forgiven (though not editors).
Whether taken by itself or in the series, however, Sharpe’s Company is one of the more finely written, the most triumphant and bloodthirsty, and one of the best of the Sharpe series.
One day, I will have that printed on business cards. Until then, I am content to read about the exploits of Richard Sharpe, an officer brought up from the ranks, who fights as a rifleman in the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe’s Company finds Captain
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Sharpe being demoted to Lieutenant thanks to bureaucrats disapproving of his gazetting. Frustrated by an old enemy’s arrival and with hurt pride, Sharpe turns his sights to Badajoz and the opportunity to lead a Forlorn Hope against the walls, securing his captaincy and proving his skill as a soldier. Probably my favorite after Sharpe’s Eagle, Company stands out for several reasons: the first is that we meet Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, a loathsome creature and villain who opposed Sharpe earlier in the India prequels. I have heard that Cornwell admitted he had a hard time creating a villain in equal to Hakeswill, and it’s evident in the crop of devious and diabolical enemies Sharpe faces: Loup, the ruthless Frenchman; Simmerson, a useless and cowardly political enemy; and others who have come and gone. Hakeswill is a marvel; it seems amazing that a fictional creation can inspire so much blood-boiling rage, but Hakeswill manages it with every twitch and cackle. He’s in fine form in Company, rotting the battalion from within, attempting to murder Sharpe, and persecuting the genial Harper.
The other reason it stands out is in the sheer scale of the book. Old friends, like the loyal and hero-worshiping Robert Knowles and the laconic American Leroy, rub shoulders with the new, like the affably drunk letch Lieutenant Harry Price. Hogan, of course, is there, along with many others. And the siege itself is bloody and dangerous and horrendous. Of all the battles and sieges, Badajoz stands out as one of the most terrible. Cornwell describes bodies stacked high in a ditch, of fighting through the grasping hands of the wounded, the sheer scale of the damage taken in the siege. Its descriptions are terrifying and terrible.
It is, also, a turning point for the philandering Sharpe – though I won’t spoil why.
Savvy readers might notice a few inconsistencies sprinkled throughout. They are, for the most part, minor, and an almost unavoidable side effect of writing a chronological series out of order. Some readers may have picked up in an earlier book when Sharpe claims to have never met Daddy Hill, despite talking with him a book previous. These are much the same. The matter and manner of Sharpe’s flogging are not in line with the story given in the India trilogy, but mistakes can be forgiven (though not editors).
Whether taken by itself or in the series, however, Sharpe’s Company is one of the more finely written, the most triumphant and bloodthirsty, and one of the best of the Sharpe series.
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LibraryThing member 5hrdrive
"Sergeant. We're going to Badajoz." Sharpe and Harper barely get through this one, indeed Wellington's army barely makes it. This has all the usual elements and the full complement of great characters - but I couldn't help feeling that it falls just short of the best Sharpe novels. Perhaps because
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it's about a siege, and we've already covered sieges in Sharpe's Tiger and Sharpe's Fortress. And then there's Obadiah Hakeswill, who I hate more than any fictional character I've ever come across - the reader is supposed to hate him, of course - but I cringe every time he appears on the page. At least by the end all is right with the world, but it was a difficult journey. Show Less
LibraryThing member RockStarNinja
There's just something about these Sharpe books that I love. Probably the fact that I've seen all 20+ movies, more than once. This book follows Sharpe as he sieges into Badajoz to find Teresa and his daughter Antonia, all the while he is as odds with not only the military, who refuse to approve the
Each book you read is better than the last, and they keep you wanting more.
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promotion he was given, his commanding officers, but also one of his arch enemies, Obidiah Hakeswill.Each book you read is better than the last, and they keep you wanting more.
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
The seigeof Badajoz in August 1812 is the centrepiece of this adventure for Richard Sharpe. Nicely complicated, and full of solid detail, Cornwell weaves a relatively believable issue of lies. Very interesting, and possibly my favourite Sharpe
LibraryThing member devenish
In which Richard Sharpe takes part in the siege of Badajoz, which very nearly becomes a defeat for the British. On a personal level he once again comes across his old enemy,the evil Sergeant Hakeswill. Another thrilling episode in this terrific series.
LibraryThing member nx74defiant
Exciting tale. Sharpe makes the mistake of not killing the villain right away.
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Good entry in an excellent series.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1982-05-10
Physical description
6.8 inches
ISBN
0451213424 / 9780451213426