Sharpe's Regiment (novel)

infobox Book |
name = Sharpe's Regiment
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First edition cover
author = Bernard Cornwell
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = Richard Sharpe
genre = Historical novel
publisher = HarperCollins
release_date = 20 January 1986
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 416 p. (first edition, hardback)
isbn = ISBN 0-00-221430-X (first edition, hardback)
preceded_by = Sharpe's Honour
followed_by = Sharpe's Christmas

"Sharpe's Regiment" is a historical novel by Bernard Cornwell.

Plot introduction

In this book set during the Napoleonic Wars, Sharpe repeatedly runs into problems caused by his lower social class and his officer standing. This is the only book in the series to be set in England, however in the Television series a second was produced - Sharpe's Justice - and involves Sharpe looking for the missing Second Battalion of the South Essex Regiment which he needs to reinforce the dwindling First Battalion in Spain. The story also involves Sharpe and Harper having to rejoin the South Essex as recruits to find the missing men.

Plot summary

Major Sharpe should be fighting the French, but his worst enemies are in England. Major Richard Sharpe's men were in mortal danger, not from the French, but from the bureaucrats of Whitehall. Unless reinforcements can be brought from England, the depleted South Essex would be disbanded, their troops scattered throughout the army. Determined not to see his regiment die, Sharpe returns to England and uncovers a nest of well-bred, high-ranking government officials engaged in crimping, selling off recruits intended for the South Essex to the highest bidder, any one of whom could utterly destroy his career with a word, or a stroke of the pen. Sharpe is forced into a desperate gamble to resolve the situation.

External links

* [http://bernardcornwell.net/index.cfm?page=2&BookId=14 Section from Bernard Cornwell's website on "Sharpe's Regiment"]
* [http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/SHARPE_GLORY_HUNTER.htm Major Sharpe - humor]