Book Review for

Sharpe's Eagle (Talavera 1809)
by Bernard Cornwell
 

The 8th in the Richard Sharpe series.
Richard Sharpe becomes a Captain after superbly winning a battle the
English almost lose because of the incompetent Colonel Henry Simmerson.
After being given command of a Light Company, Sharpe plans to avenge
the French capture of his regimental colors. He intends to capture the
gold eagle given by Napoleon to each of his battalions, a feat never
before achieved. Sharpe attempts this at the battle of Talavera in 1809
in Spain, aided by his fighting Irish Sergeant Harper, his green-jacketed
Riflemen, and his engineer friend, Captain Hogan. If Sharpe can capture
an eagle, he can raise his stature to a level which will make him immune
to the attempts of Col. Simmerson's friends in Parliament to make Sharpe
the scapegoat for Simmerson's blunders. In addition, Sharpe must decide
how to avenge the brutal rape of a woman in his protective custody.
A rousing adventure story.


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