Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Sharpe's Escape : Portugal, 1810 (CORNWELL, BERNARD) by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0-06-053047-2 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 30 March, 2004 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A RICHLY ASSURED READING
Comment: Those who may have seen the Broadway revival of "The Crucible" in the early 1990s surely well remember the riveting performance of Patrick Tull. He brings that same rich assurance to his reading of "Sharpe's Escape." By now, thanks to Cornwell's popular Sharpe Series, Captain Richard Sharpe has become an iconic figure in the military history genre - larger than life. That's a difficult voice to capture, yet the gifted Tull does it to perfection.
As we've come to know Sharpe has a bit of trouble with authority, especially when he sees the incompetence of some of his so-called superiors. It is now 1810; Napoleon wants Portugal and the British beaten into retreat.
Facing Napoleon's largest army is one thing but Sharpe is also besieged from within, losing his command to an inept British officer with very proper family connections. Further, two cowardly, conniving Portugese brothers plan to become friends with the French in the hopes of profiting should Portugal fall to France.
When Sharpe steps in to foil their plan he puts his life on the line. Ferragus, the cruelest of the brothers, devises a trap to kill Sharpe.
Those with a love for military adventure and over the top battles will not want to miss a word of "Sharpe's Escape."
- Gail Cooke
Rating: 5
Summary: Another Sharpe Winner!
Comment: In book 20 of the Sharpe series, Cornwell is still doing what he does best...keeping Sharpe alive, keen, and fresh...and writing the best breathtaking battlescenes ever!
The Battle of Bussaco is so gritty you can smell the gunpowder, feel your mouth go dry with the salt as the Riflemen reload, and feel the smoke smothering and embracing your lungs.
Cornwell's descriptions are vivid and detailed and as authentic as it gets in historical fiction.
Naturally, Sharpe has his own private nemisis - in vol. 20 he's Ferragus, all-around 'bad-boy' selling contraband to the French and annoying Richard with fists, deeds and words.
The lovely Patrick Harper is here also (charming & one of my favorite of Cornwell's characters) and more than a sidekick. Harper grows with each novel as does Hogan (another favorite) who's more than just an engineer.
Brilliant adventure tale!
Rating: 5
Summary: One of the best accounts of the battle of Busaco ever...
Comment: First things first: I've been following/marching with Sharpe since 1982... so I consider myself a diehard fan of the series, (nevertheless I can see for myself and agree with other reviewers about the repetitions of plot&subplot used over&over and even the basis/schema of each book treading on the well known path...).
BUT, I could'nt care less mind..., it's the same formula of let's say a James Bond film... so what?, as long it ENTERTAINS and the "Raconteur" is a good one...(and Mr. Cornwell surely it is then why complain?...).
I think this one has unexpected bonus:
1) we are dispensed with the usual Wellington "scenes"
2) Hogan (based loosely in George Scowell...see Mark Urban book it's very good on its own...) does not become obnoxious.
3) Harper is very well used in a proper suporting actor role.
4) It's improved in politicall correctness (the portuguese army has it's share of glory) and the characters are less caricaturized... even it allows for french courage and elan (wich of course reflects even better on the british soldier virtues: a) enormous pride; b) the ability of deliver more firepower in coordinated platoon volleys etc.
5) the heroine is quickly loved by the reader (he's getting better at that!)
6) there is less reiteration in the motions of loading and firing muskets/rifles (AT LAST!).
7) AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The account of the Batlle of Busaco, the strategic events and the campaign itself ARE A GEM!, how good he is at writing a battle down (specially the peninsular one's...)AS PURE ENTERTAINING NOVELS THEY DO NOT COME ANY BETTER FOR MY TASTE (but I am a freak of XIXth century warfare so...)
Concluding: I did found the volumes in India (3), Copenhage, and Trafalgar a bit farfetched (they have their moments thought), but as per "Sharpe's Havoc" and "Sharpe's Escape" they are REALLY VERY GOOD!, I think the Peninsular War is the natural element/environment for Sharpe&Harper (even if "Sharpe's Siege" wich is one of my favourites does not happen in Spain...).
SO HERE YOU HAVE IT IN A NUTSHELL: A GREAT NARRATION OF A TRUE CAMPAIGN AS BACKGROUND AND THE POPULAR ROGUES DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST... FIGHT THE FRENCH AND WHOEVER ELSE DESERVES IT!
B----- RECOMMENDED!
 |
Title: Sharpe's Christmas by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0972222014 Publisher: Sharpe Appreciation Society Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $8.00 |
 |
Title: Sharpe's Skirmish by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0972222006 Publisher: Sharpe Appreciation Society Pub. Date: 03 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.00 |
 |
Title: Heretic (CORNWELL, BERNARD) by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0060530499 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
 |
Title: Sharpe's Havoc : Richard Sharpe and the Campaign in Northern Portugal, Spring 1809 (CORNWELL, BERNARD) by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0060530464 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
 |
Title: Sharpe's Battle: Spain 1811 by Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 0060932287 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 16 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
