From our Fiction reviewer Patsy Diekmann
This latest in a long series of Richard Sharpe’s war adventures occurs during the British invasion of Southern France in 1813. Sharpe’s battalion of riflemen were charged with supporting the British forces attempting to cross the river Nive just south of Bayonne on the river Adour. Their weapons were rifles and muskets, and the enemy forces often could see each other at close distances. Sharpe is skillful and brave, and often ignores superior officer’s orders about tactics in order to accomplish the objectives. The book is a fascinating look at the strategies and difficulties opposing forces faced over three hundred years ago and how one man forged ahead at all costs, while keeping his sense of honor and his sense of humor.-