Richard Sharpe and his riflemen have the bad fortune to be placed under the command of Colonel Simmerson, who has a lot of political influence, a very high opinion of himself, and absolutely no idea how to command men in battle.
Simmerson quickly proves that he has one talent. He can screw things up royally. And, when he does, he writes home to his important connections explaining that he had nothing to do with the debacle. No, it was all Sharpe's fault.
So Sharpe is stuck taking orders from a man who hates him, in an army trying to defeat the experienced, successful French. And their Spanish allies are so bad that they might as well be fighting for the French.
This book has lots of action, vivid characters, and even a little romance. Mr. Cornwell is a accomplished storyteller. I even learned a little history. Join the fun and get to know Sharpe. You won't regret it.
Captain Richard Sharpe-bold, professinal, and ruthless-is leading his battle-hardened veterans against Napolean at Talavera in the bloodiest Peninsula battle yet. Sharpe ha fought his way out of the enlisted ranks and earned his captaincy. But others-such as his uncle, Colonel Henry Simmerson, and the foppish Lieutenant Gibbons-are incompetents who bought their commissions. After their cowardly loss of the Regimental King's colour, their resentment of the upstart Sharpe turns to outright treachery.
