Sharpe's Waterloo
Richard Sharpe and the Waterloo Campaign, 15 June to 18 June 1815
📘 About This Book
It is 1815. Sharpe is serving on the personal staff of the Prince of Orange, who refuses to listen to Sharpe's reports of an enormous army, led by Napoleon, marching towards them.The Battle of Waterloo commences and it seems as if Sharpe must stand by and watch the grandest scale of military folly. But at the height of battle, as victory seems impossible, Sharpe takes command and the most hard-fought and bloody battle of his career becomes his most magnificent triumph.Soldier, hero, rogue - Sharpe is the man you always want on your side. Born in poverty, he joined the army to escape jail and climbed the ranks by sheer brutal courage. He knows no other family than the regiment of the 95th Rifles whose green jacket he proudly wears.
📖 Summary
Sharpe's Waterloo by Bernard Cornwell plunges readers into the historic and turbulent year of 1815, capturing one of the most defining conflicts in British and European history. The narrative centers on Richard Sharpe, a man whose origins are rooted in deep poverty and a brush with jail, but who has since climbed the military ranks through sheer brutal courage and unwavering resilience. Sharpe now considers his true family to be the regiment of the 95th Rifles, proudly wearing their signature green jacket as a badge of his identity, loyalty, and fierce combat experience. In this installment, Sharpe finds himself serving on the personal staff of the Prince of Orange. This assignment proves to be a profound test of his patience and tactical instincts, as the Prince obstinately refuses to listen to Sharpe's urgent reports regarding an enormous army, led by the formidable Napoleon, marching directly toward them. As the situation deteriorates, the legendary Battle of Waterloo commences, bringing with it a scale of military folly that threatens to destroy the allied forces. Sharpe is initially forced into a frustrating position, seemingly compelled to stand by and watch catastrophic mistakes unfold on the grandest scale. Yet, as the chaos of combat peaks and victory appears entirely impossible, Sharpe takes command. In doing so, he steps into the most hard-fought and bloody battle of his entire career, transforming impending disaster into his most magnificent triumph. Through vivid storytelling across 444 pages, Cornwell highlights Sharpe's enduring status as a soldier, hero, and rogue—the exact type of man anyone would always want on their side when the odds are stacked impossibly high.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Engaging depiction of historical warfare and military strategy
Compelling character arc for Richard Sharpe
High stakes and intense battle sequences
Richly detailed historical setting from 1815
⚠️ Cons
Features frustrating obstinacy from leadership figures like the Prince of Orange
Depicts brutal and bloody combat that may not suit all readers
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Sharpe's Waterloo? +
The book is written by Bernard Cornwell.
When is the book set? +
The story is set in the year 1815 during the Napoleonic Wars.
Who does Sharpe serve under at the start of the novel? +
Sharpe serves on the personal staff of the Prince of Orange.
What regiment does Sharpe belong to? +
Sharpe proudly wears the green jacket of the 95th Rifles.
How many pages long is this edition? +
This edition spans 444 pages.
