December 1803 (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #3)

Bernard Cornwell does more than entertain in novels. His research, with onsite visits, brings authenticity of older cultures confronted in struggles and examples we can appreciate and learn from, even today.

The book is great, Bernard Cornwell is the best writter for me. This book was my first book I read in English. The others I read in brazilian portuguese, and by that, the brazilian publication is better. That's the only negative point, the rest, the book worth.

There is a line between war and murder, and Ensign Richard Sharpe keeps stepping over it in this third volume of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series. On the one hand, we see him devising and leading the 33rd Light Infantry and a ragged assortment of Scots, Sepoys, and cavalrymen up a ladder in the escalade of the Gawilghur fortress. (Sharpe is fictional; the escalade was not.) On the other hand, we see him revenge-killing a sergeant and two privates who had betrayed him and stolen his stuff. (The men who wanted to kill him were themselves seeking revenge for the hanging of a relative, which Sharpe carried out under orders.)

When you combine the war violence and the revenge killings with the looting and rapine that accompanied British victories—indeed, when you remember that Cornwell is depicting the imperial invasion of a foreign land—you start wondering why any moral human being would derive pleasure from reading Cornwell’s books. At least that’s the question I began to ask myself while reading Sharpe’s Fortress.

Here’s the answer I came up with. Cornwell is a masterful storyteller. His depiction of the exploits of the British Army in India during the era of the Napoleonic Wars is gripping. It’s difficult not to be sucked into the narrative of men under fire—even if their cause is unjust, or at least very imperfectly just. I dare you to try and read about the repeated British infantry assaults on Gawilghur’s inner fortress—bloody, futile assaults—without marveling at the bravery of the soldiers. I dare you not to thrill when Sharpe realizes that an escalade—basically, climbing a ladder over a wall under fire—might put enough troops on the inside of the gate to open it up, and then puts that dangerous plan into action. Cornwell’s chapters describing these actions are some of the best war-writing I’ve ever read.

Another part of the answer relies on the value of an empathetic understanding of history. The Sharpe series is a work of historical fiction. The fictional part gives you empathy, as Cornwell portrays the motives (good and bad) and courage (or lack thereof) of people on both sides of a conflict. The history helps you understand the past. How did Sir Arthur Wellesley defeat Napoleon at Waterloo and become the Duke of Wellington? By putting Sharpe under Wellesley’s command, Bernard Cornwell helps you begin to understand the question.

A final part of the answer is that reading the Sharpe’s series helps form the moral conscience by giving the reader a depiction of both martial virtue and martial vice—that is, of courage versus cowardice—as well as of the horrific impact war has on soldiers and civilians alike. I don’t know that Bernard Cornwell wrote this series to provoke such thoughts. I think he certainly wants us to understand the bravery of the ordinary soldier. But I do know that reading this series inspires such thoughts in me. A book that is both a page-turner and a thought-provoker is a good book, in my opinion, even if it’s historical fiction about the fine line between war and murder.

There is a line between war and murder, and Ensign Richard Sharpe keeps stepping over it in this third volume of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series. On the one hand, we see him devising and leading the 33rd Light Infantry and a ragged assortment of Scots, Sepoys, and cavalrymen up a ladder in the escalade of the Gawilghur fortress. (Sharpe is fictional; the escalade was not.) On the other hand, we see him revenge-killing a sergeant and two privates who had betrayed him and stolen his stuff. (The men who wanted to kill him were themselves seeking revenge for the hanging of a relative, which Sharpe carried out under orders.)

When you combine the war violence and the revenge killings with the looting and rapine that accompanied British victories—indeed, when you remember that Cornwell is depicting the imperial invasion of a foreign land—you start wondering why any moral human being would derive pleasure from reading Cornwell’s books. At least that’s the question I began to ask myself while reading Sharpe’s Fortress.

Here’s the answer I came up with. Cornwell is a masterful storyteller. His depiction of the exploits of the British Army in India during the era of the Napoleonic Wars is gripping. It’s difficult not to be sucked into the narrative of men under fire—even if their cause is unjust, or at least very imperfectly just. I dare you to try and read about the repeated British infantry assaults on Gawilghur’s inner fortress—bloody, futile assaults—without marveling at the bravery of the soldiers. I dare you not to thrill when Sharpe realizes that an escalade—basically, climbing a ladder over a wall under fire—might put enough troops on the inside of the gate to open it up, and then puts that dangerous plan into action. Cornwell’s chapters describing these actions are some of the best war-writing I’ve ever read.

Another part of the answer relies on the value of an empathetic understanding of history. The Sharpe series is a work of historical fiction. The fictional part gives you empathy, as Cornwell portrays the motives (good and bad) and courage (or lack thereof) of people on both sides of a conflict. The history helps you understand the past. How did Sir Arthur Wellesley defeat Napoleon at Waterloo and become the Duke of Wellington? By putting Sharpe under Wellesley’s command, Bernard Cornwell helps you begin to understand the question.

A final part of the answer is that reading the Sharpe’s series helps form the moral conscience by giving the reader a depiction of both martial virtue and martial vice—that is, of courage versus cowardice—as well as of the horrific impact war has on soldiers and civilians alike. I don’t know that Bernard Cornwell wrote this series to provoke such thoughts. I think he certainly wants us to understand the bravery of the ordinary soldier. But I do know that reading this series inspires such thoughts in me. A book that is both a page-turner and a thought-provoker is a good book, in my opinion, even if it’s historical fiction about the fine line between war and murder.

In the third book of the Sharpe series, we find an unhappy Sharpe who has found being promoted to an officer is not all it is cracked out to be. Due to him coming up from the ranks he is not accepted by his fellow officers or the rank and file of the army. In view of this he considers the possibility of selling his commission, but eventually does find an opportunity to prove himself in battle but it comes as usual with a high risk of losing his life at the impregnable fortress at Gawilghur. This is another highly entertaining book where again he comes into contact with his old enemies Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill and William Dodd, the British mercenary. Anybody that has read the previous two Sharpe books will not be disappointed. The book is fast paced, action packed and as usual Bernard Cornwall shows us that he is one of the best writers of historical fiction on the planet. This book can be enjoyed without reading the first two books in the series, however, I would recommend starting from book one. However, I must warn you if you haven’t read Sharpe before this series is highly addictive. I know now I won’t be satisfied until I’ve completed the entire book series.

This novel is, chronologically, the third novel in Cornwell's Sharpe series. The series extends to twenty-four novels. The novels follow the exploits of Richard Sharpe in the British Army, and how he advances through the ranks from soldier to sergeant to officer.

At the end of the previous novel, Sharpe was promoted from sergeant to ensign. In the British army of the nineteenth century there was a vast class difference between common soldiers and officers. Sharpe is looked down upon by the other officers. He can no longer fraternize with soldiers who once were his friends.

Along the way Sharpe has picked up some enemies. First there is the vile Sergeant Hakeswill. Hakeswill hates Sharpe and has tried to kill him several times. Then there is Colonel Dodd. Dodd is a traitor who Sharpe witnessed leading a massacre of British troops.

In this novel, Sharpe is dealing with being an ensign. He is also dealing with his superior officers who don't quite know what to do with him. He gets reassigned to a supply unit. There he makes an enemy of slovenly Captain Torrence and finds his old rival Sergeant Hakeswill.

The army is following the Raja's troops across the hot plains of India. The Indian forces eventually retreat into the fortress of Gawilghur. This fortress is considered to be impregnable. The British army must find a way to defeat the Indian forces within the fortress. And, Sharpe must find a way to get revenge from his enemies and survive the battle.

I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's novels. They are interesting and well plotted. Cornwell gives enough description so we can understand the setting and moves the plot along. In Sharpe, Cornwell has created a unique character. He is generally good, but isn't afraid to break the rules when needed.

I will definitely continue to read my way through the series.

This is the third in Cornwell's Sharpe series and the last one in India, before both he and Wellesley return to England.

The successful siege of Gawilghur in 1803 sets the stage for Wellesley's triumphant return to England, and with only a few character changes, Cornwell has painted a stunningly accurate canvas depicting both the horrors of war, and the jubilation of success and survival, for the lucky.

Very few authors can take "real" history, and with only a few changes, make it so vivid that you can almost smell the dust, hear the exotic bird calls and feel the desperate fear, and courage, of the men and women portrayed within. Cornwell is one of the very best!

The 3rd book in the Richard Sharpe adventure series. The British, after winning the battle of Argaum, must attack the impenetrable fortress Gawilghur which has never been breached. It has an Outer Fort on a narrow approach covered by withering fire. If breached, the British must then cross a deep ravine and attack the Inner Fort which can only be entered by a series of four gates guarded by ramparts of defenders. In addition to this impossible challenge, Sharpe must continue to battle his old enemies Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, who ambushes Sharpe and steals his jewels, and the traitor William Dodd, who guards the Inner Fort with his veteran Cobras. A superb read.

How did I not know how amazing these books were until now?! Typically I lean to scifi & fantasy & some historical or contemporary fiction. But over the years I would hear about the "Sharpe" series - and that there were something like 18 of these books. Didn't sound like my cup of tea really. But then I caught part of one of the ITV tv episodes and it was well, just ok. Not great - but I understood more of what the series was about. An "everyman" enlisted soldier who had risen thru the ranks thru bravery and action. Plus Sean Bean was a terrific Richard Sharpe. I mean talk about perfectly cast.

So I started with Sharpe's Tigers - the first chronological of the series - and I devoured it. I was speechless at Cornwell's craft. The book seemed so... real. So vivid, this wasn't history - this was real. These characters leapt off the page and into action. Sharpe is amazing character. We see ourselves in him, from humble birth, but given a chance he takes control of his life. Loyal to his friends, charming to the ladies and never afraid of a fight. Who wouldn't follow this man into hell!

This is the third of his India series and frankly its hard to not want to sit and read this with a few strong cups of coffee and do nothing else. His revenge is at hand, the dastardly Hakeswell and Dodd are within his grasp! There is a scene towards the end when Sharpe comes up with a plan to storm the impregnable fortress and he rallies his former light company to action and its simply fantastic to watch him work. How he inspires the men, gives them confidence, he was one of them and they know it.

The detail in these books is simply fantastic. When the soldiers fire their guns or cannons, we learn quickly and succinctly thru Cornwell's deft hand what type of guns they are using and the difference say between a musket and a rifle in the art of war. We lean about 16 pounders and grapeshot and cannister! Every page has a word I've never heard of before and I am just soaking it up. Its like being there! Well ok not really but every now and then I shake my head in sadness at what the British soldiers endured. Amazing.

Sharpe's Fortress is the third of the stories about Richard Sharpe in India. If you haven't read Sharpe's Tiger and Sharpe's Triumph, I strongly urge you to read those books before this one. You'll like them, and they provide very helpful background for the events in Sharpe's Fortress.

After saving Sir Arthur Wellesley's life at the Battle of Assaye (described in Sharpe's Triumph, book two in chronology in the series), Richard Sharpe was raised out of the ranks into the officer class as an ensign. In Sharpe's Fortress, it becomes obvious that he's arrived in no man's land in a Scottish unit. The Scots don't want any English in the unit; most ensigns are about 12 years old and don't do anything except watch; and men in the ranks are jealous of Sharpe's promotion.

It is kindly suggested that Sharpe either sell his commission or join a new unit, one based in England. Sharpe doesn't want to do either one, and he's even more depressed when he is asked to take a temporary assignment helping get the supplies up to the front lines.

Arriving at his new assignment, it's clear that something is badly wrong. Needed supplies are being stolen left and right. Sharpe quickly gets to the bottom of the thefts and develops new enemies. Meanwhile, his old enemy Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill has survived Sharpe's last attempt to do away with him in Sharpe's Triumph and has new plans for Sharpe.

The main focus of the story is on the continuing war between the British and their allies and the Mahrattas in India. Turncoat William Dodd has gained every higher rank in the Mahratta forces and is looking forward to a huge victory when the British come to attack the seemingly impregnable fortress of Gawilghur. Much of the story is taken up with various defenders imagining how they will destroy the British in the different traps that await them in the high fortress.

Those extremely detailed descriptions of the fortress become more than a little tiresome. You do have a reward, however, because you'll better understand the story that Cornwell tells about how the battle is won. Actually, the fictional report isn't terribly far off from the actual experience as the historical note indicates. It is only the exaggerated role for Sharpe that misleads . . . while providing a good way to help you understand the battle.

The battle scenes are terrific in this book. It's only the tedium of the redundant musings that keep this book for being a five-star effort.

As usual, Sharpe finds that while he has temporary conquests with the ladies, he isn't going to be the one who takes them home permanently.

Enjoy!

"Sharpe's Fortress" is the third novel in Bernard Cornwell's India Trilogy, which is the first set of novels in the larger Richard Sharpe Series. It is essential to read these books in chronological order, so start with "Sharpe's Tiger" and move on to "Sharpe's Triumph" before tackling "Fortress."

The Fortress of the title is Gwalighur, the mighty Indian citadel in the sky. Thousands of feet above the plains below, approachable only through narrow deathtraps and populated by thousands of lethal soldiers, Gwalighur has stood for hundreds of years. Now, in addition to the fierce Mahratta soldiers and their Arabian mercenaries, Gwalighur also has in its ranks the ambitious British traitor, William Dodd. While Dodd may not be in charge of the fortress, he thinks that may be a temporary condition and if he is in charge, the British will never defeat him.

Dodd, unfortunately, has a powerful enemy. Richard Sharpe has sworn vengeance against him for Dodd's traitorous slaughter of British soldiers in "Sharpe's Tiger" (not to mention shooting Sharpe in the head) as well as for the death of Sharpe's cherished commander and friend, Colonel McCandless, in "Sharpe's Triumph." And as fans of the series know, Richard Sharpe is not the kind of guy you want holding a grudge against you.

But fortunately for Dodd, Sharpe is now Ensign Sharpe, promoted for valor on the field. Being an ensign is a tough burden for Sharpe, who more than once wishes he had remained a Sergeant. As is explained to him, the job of an ensign is to stay alive until promoted -- no fighting. So the enlisted men don't respect him. And the officers hate him, because most of them purchased their posting or had it handed to them through connections. Sharpe's promotion through merit challenges their entire world of gentile privilege.

And further complicating matters for Sharpe, treacherous Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill still schemes and plots Sharpe's downfall. Blessed with more lives than a cat and a murderous streak a mile wide, Hakeswill wants nothing more than to kill Sharpe and steal Sharpe's vast wealth (a secret known only to few).

This is classic Bernard Cornwell, and "Sharpe's Fortress" hits all the usual high points. Nobody writes clearer, more compelling battlefield scenes, and Cornwell shares James Clavell's abiity to transport the reader to another place and time with a minimum of exposition -- a rare gift honed by years of constant practice. Occasionally poetic, often moving, and always thrilling, Cornwell's prose keeps "Fortress" moving at a rollicking pace. Check it out, but not until you've read the earlier books (and check out Cornwell's website for further information on the Sharpe series, which can be confusing because it wasn't written in chronological order).

This is the third volume of the "India trilogy" that comprises the opening segment of this first-rate series about Richard Sharpe of His Majesty's army during and after the Napoleonic wars. Originally a private in a light infantry company, Sharpe made it to sergeant four years ago, in 1799. At the end of the previous book, only a couple months before, an act of heroism in action (which also saved the life of his general, Sir Arthur Wellesley) brings him a battlefield commission to ensign. Not that the majority of his fellow officers are very welcoming, because Sharpe isn't even remotely a gentleman. This time he manages to involve himself in the climactic act of the British conquest of India, the attack on and capture of the great fortress of Gawilghur, high in the mountains and protected by steep cliffs and ravines, where the traitorous Dodd, now commanding a regiment for the enemy, is ensconced, and where Sharpe also is seeking revenge on his longtime nemesis, the psychopathic Sgt. Hakeswill, who once had him lashed nearly to death and has tried to kill him several times since, and has also stolen Sharpe's previously looted fortune in gems. As always, Cornwell has the historical and military details of the Napoleonic era down pat. The verisimilitude is matched by his portrait of Sharpe, a very rough character indeed but (mostly) an admirable one. He's a soldier's soldier -- and now he's heading back to England to join a newly-formed regiment of green-jacketed riflemen. You should start at the beginning of the series, though, so you won't miss any of the cumulative details of this remarkable saga.

Richard Sharpe and the novel "Sharpe's Fortress" by Cornwell, March 3, 2001
Reviewer: Claudia Kurzyna (Trumbull, Connecticut United States) - See all my reviews

"Sharpe's Fortress" or the Battle of Gawilghur takes place in India in 1803. Richard Sharpe learns that he must make choices in his life as a soldier, and he must either stay in his position as an ensign or resign his commission when he returns to England in the near future after the battle. He learns to live the life of the soldier, as well as the officer that he is. He seizes command and goes into the fortress to sieze it at a terrible cost to the british and the indian soldiers who fight. He has many enemies in this book and he is forced to deal with his enemy, Captain Dodd, and also his hatred for Obadiah Hakeswill causes Sharpe to take harsh action against Obadiah at the conclusion of the novel. He is a good officer he is the child soldier who grows into the man who becomes the professional soldier who makes the army his life! He takes a realistic look at war and sees the hell and he also sees the beauty of war, and he becomes part of the war, and does his job and does it well so that Sir Arthur Wellesley can claim victory for the battle. It is a novel of blood and it is a novel of terror it is a novel of what war is all about! And it is one that you will either enjoy or not enjoy! It is Bernard Cornwell at his best, and it is Richard Sharpe as you usually do not see him, he is vulnerable, he is wounded in battle, and he learns that he can be part of a vicious assault on a fort and remain alive. If you read all of the "Richard Sharpe" novels be sure to read this one, its the last of the India series, and I did enjoy the novel, and look forward to his next "Sharpe" novel.

This is the last taste of India in the Sharpe series... and it's a cracker read.
An avowed fan of the Sharpe yarns in the Peninsula war, I was a little dubious about going back in time. Sharpe's character had been developed over a long time, and to now go back to a time before he was initially created struck me as being fraught with peril.
I need not have worried. Bernard Cornwell is a consumate author, and has not put a step wrong. The young Sharpe is quick, dazzling, simple, immature: all the things we knew he had to have been, from his Napoleonic exploits.
Sharpe's Fortress sees Sharpe as an Ensign, having finally performed that deed of outstanding bravery Sharpe fans knew so much - and so little! - about. His struggles with the class / Army structures are well told, and the malevolent Hakeswill continues his plottings. (It's actually rather satisfying reading about Hakeswill, knowing how he's going to end up....) Once again, Sharpe has enemies on every side, and must overcome great odds in order to curry favour with his fellow-officers and the men he leads.
The Sharpe in India stories aren't as satisfying for me as the others, but that is purely because I have read a lot more about the Peninsula War than the Indian campaigns. Nonetheless, they are rattling good yarns.. and, as ever, Bernard Cornwell gives us the best battle scenes in town.
Viva Sharpe!

Another great book in the Sharpe series. In this one, our hero is now Lt. Richard Sharpe and hating it. Having received a battlefield commission from the future Duke of Wellington after saving his life at the Battle of Assaye, Sharpe languishes amid gentlemen who resent his commoner presence and enlisted men who resent his elevation above them.

With his commander pressuring him to sell his commission and leave the Army - a tempting offer to one of Sharpe's impoverished background - he is transferred to a backwater supplies unit. It proves a den of corruption and Sharpe soon finds himself a fugitive.

That doesn't stop him from joining the assault on the daunting fortress of Gawilghur, a mountain fastness never conquered and the key to British power's northward thrust in India. Even positioning artillery to shell it is a daunting task. Defending it now is the forbidding and formidable Colonel Dodd, the mercenary commander we met in "Sharpe's Triumph", who schemes how to use Gawilghur's defense to depose his Indian masters, and rule himself.

Helping Sharpe along the way are cavalry Sergeant Eli Lockhart; the brave Arab servant boy Ahmed; and Sharpe's old pal, the engineer Major Stokes. Altogether enjoyable.

Bernard Cornwell writes historical fiction, most of it in the old style of Forrester's Hornblower and F. Van Wyck Mason. Much of his work has been the story of Richard Sharpe and his adventures as a member of Wellington's British army during the Peninsula Campaign in the war against Napoleon's France. The character Richard Sharpe is an illegitimate orphan from London's workhouses who enlisted in the army one step ahead of prison and hanging. He served in Wellington's army in India and saved Wellington's life in a battle. As a reward he was made an officer. The Sharpe's Rifles series begins with Richard as a Lieutenant, and takes him through battles and hard-earned promotions to Waterloo. Eight of the novels were made into a BBC television series, which has been shown on US public television and which is available on cassette. Cornwell wrote one additional book in the series, filling in between two earlier ones, and one Sharpe novel which occurs well after the Napoleonic Wars. He then started a "prequel" series providing background and telling the story of Richard Sharpe in India. Sharpe's Fortress is the fourth in the series set in India. Richard is already commissioned, and is just beginning to feel the alienation from fellow-officers because he isn't a gentleman. He is also learning to deal with enmity from enlisted soldiers because he isn't a proper officer-a gentleman who gives orders by right. The series of battles which led to the defeat of the Mahrattas and established the British Raj in India is interesting history. This novel begins with the Battle of Argaum and ends with the Siege of Gawilghur, which broke the back of the Mahratta empire. Now Sharpe and Wellington will be heading back to England, and this reader hopes that Cornwell will have more exciting stories to cover the six years between the end of this book and the beginning of Sharpe's Rifles. Richard Sharpe is to the British Army what Horatio Hornblower was to the British Navy. And Cornwell's stories are wonderful reading.

The third in Cornwall's pre-series, "Sharpe's Fortress" finds Richard Sharpe back in India on his final adventure there before returning to take up arms against the French in Spain. With over 15 novels in this series, Sharpe may be starting to get a little worn, but Cornwall's compelling writing and genius for historical detail, espcially in military matters, always makes every Sharpe novel a worthwhile and interesting read. After Wellsely's (later Duke of Wellington) astonishing victory at Assaye, the remnants of the Mahratta confederation fell back upon their supposedly inpregnible fortress at Gawilghur. The interesting thing about Cornwall is that he brings to life often obscure aspects of military history during the Napoleanic period. While certainly a few have heard of Sir Arthur's great victory at Assaye in 1803, the subsequent siege of the Mahratta hill fortress has generally been religated as a footnote in the establishment of the British empire in India. Cornwall shows that despite eventual British triumph, the siege was no cake walk for them. The short-work that the assulting British troops finally made of the defending Indian garrison may offend the Politically Correct today. And yes, this is a book about run down red-coats like Richard Sharpe, and is not meant to tell the story from the perspective of the Mahratta, or Indians in general. Cornwall revels in the persona of the underdog British redcoat, that down-trodden creature of Britains pre-industrial slums, of which Richard Sharpe is a prime example. While Sharpe does come across as almost super-human in this book, and indeed the entire series, his character personifies the tough, gritty determination of the British soldier in this period. There is a reason why a handful of red-coats conquered India, and while this may offend our sensibilities today, we can gain from understanding how and by whom it was accomplished. India as a nation did not exist in 1800, and the various petty states that existed were never able to present a united front against the small British presence there. A handful of "Sharpes" under brilliant leadership were able to conquer an entire continent. As Europeans, we should not be ashamed of this, and should rather endeavor to understand how it came to happan in the first place. Cornwall's historical fiction provides a glimpse as to how this was done, by showing the various personalities and characters involved, and by weaving fiction with fact, we gain an understanding of long forgotton battlefields in distant and exotic lands. Cornwall's writing is graphic and violent at times, but no one ever said the early 19th century was ever a gentle and nice place to live! The novels of Jane Austen provide a false perspective in this regard. Sharpe and those like him were considered animals by polite society, yet their blood and sweat made Britain an empire. Those with politically correct views, may be offended, but might just learn something in the process. Sharpe continues to march on, providing entertainment and high adventure, as well as fine historical detail. What better combination can one ask for!

This is the summation of the Cornwell's "India Trilogy" which follows British Soldier Richard Sharpe during the Mahratta War of 1803. In this novel, the English army must somehow take Gawalghur, a seemingly impenetrable mountaintop fortress and last bastion of the Mahratta army.
This is an excellent historical/military novel in that the siege of Gawalghur is explained in dramatic terms; the tactics, the officers, the siege itself, are all here. As always, Cornwell is unmatched in his talent for bringing military affairs to life. I felt as if I was right there with the engineers and soldiers, sweating in the noonday sun. And, of course, the bloodletting is always well described in a cornwell book.
During the intense military maneuverings, Sharpe has uncovered a crooked officer, who is misappropriating military supplies and sealing them on the black market. Sharpe is nearly killed for his discover, and then seeks revenge Richard Sharpe style.
Just a great book with great characters. Cornwell is particularly adept at writing a great villain. Sharpe's nemesis, the horrid Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill is here, of course, but my favorite bad guy was the crooked officer Captain Torrence. This guy puts the "C" in Creepy. In a beautiful bit of character development, Cornwell has Torrence nearly always receiving his staff in the nude. He explains this nudeness by claiming that with India being so hot and all, he just finds it more comfortable. Not so bad in and of itself, but what makes him creepy is the pleasure he takes at everyone's discomfort when in his presence.
Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, is here as well, perfectly described in his ever developing relationship to Richard Sharpe.
Buy it. You can't go wrong with a Sharpe book.

Ensign Richard Sharpe of British 74th Infantry struggles with his assignment. Newly promoted as an officer to a Scottish regiment has him feeling like a fifth wheel. When the opportunity came for reassignment, he jumped at the chance and moved to the supply division under the command of Captain Torrance. Unbeknownst to Sharpe, Captain Torrance has enlisted the aid of Sharpe's worst enemy Sargent Obadiah Hakeswill. Now Sharpe must somehow outwit and survive the evil clutches of Torrance and Hakeswill. His objective is to rid the army of these two thieves and transfer to the newly formed Rifle division. Sharpe is surrounded by crooks, feckless officers and trapped deep in enemy territory. Things are hopeless, until...the Battle For Gawilghur.
I didn't want to give too much away.
As evidenced by "Sharpe's Fortress", Bernard Cornwell writes good books. He is fun to read and his stores are always packed with adventure, action and intrigue. As with all of Sharpe books they keep you interested until the end. I have trouble putting them down. Cornwell's style is fast paced plots and he keeps the story going, you may guess the ending but who cares, half the fun is getting there.
If this is your first Sharpe book don't let it be your last, Sharpe's Eagle or Sharpe's Company are among the best in the series. However, all of Cornwell's Sharpe books are good reads, you will not be disappointed.

The third book in the series, a direct sequel to Sharpe's Triumph. Still in India (1803), Sharpe takes part in the brief battle of Argaum before performing a heroic pivotal role in the seige of the supposedly impregnable fort at Gawilghur. Sharpe is still in pursuit of the traitor Dodd, but his old enemy Hakeswill is on Sharpe's trail, so treachery is everywhere. This is very fine historical fiction. Cornwell knows how to recreate the past; every character, no matter how brief his stay will turn out to be, is presented as if he will be a long-term concern, with foibles, motives and distinguishing characteristics. The mechanics of the 1803 weaponry are presented with as much meticulous attention to detail as are the

politics and rivalries between officers, companies and armies in India. In short, it brings the period to life in a vivid and colorful way, adding intrigue and suspense to the mix deftly. I do wonder, though, how likely it is that Sharpe could beat Captain Morris, his superior officer, half to death (Morris waits for orders rather than allow Sharpe to go off on his own initiative to scale the walls, and this enrages Sharpe) and get away with it. (He even murders an officer - no, he's no by-the-book noble hero!) At times the action is over the top with distinct shades of James Bond (the deathtraps like fighting jettis in an arena, seducing one girl after another, etc), but of course that's what Cornwell has set out to do. My one quibble is that Sharpe, after vowing to make sure Hakeswill dies this time, does the typical serial adventure thing and leaves him to die, which is of course not the same thing at all and sets it up for the inevitable sequel.

Sharpe's Fortress is chronologically the third book in the Sharpe series (following Sharpe's Tiger and Sharpe's Triumph). See Bernard Cornwell's website for the full sequence of the books since they were not written in the chronological order of the events. Personally, I enjoy the Sharpe books. Cornwell puts a lot of effort into researching the history and locales of his works. He has visited the sites in India where the key battles took place and you can see photos on his website. That said, I did enjoy the preceding two books more. By now the novelty has worn off and the characters have been defined. Too many pages are spent restating the impregnability of the fortress. Nevertheless, this is great historical military fiction. Reading Cornwell is like being there and looking up at the walls of Gawilghur with cannon balls passing overhead! Promoted from the ranks, Sharpe acts on his determination to be good officer, in spite of the misgivings of his superiors. This completes the Sharpe in India stories. Next it's off to Trafalgar.

Sharpe's Fortress is a set piece--the exotic environs of India is the setting where our orphan/wayward youth/petty criminal/unwilling soldier grows to find himself a credit to the British army. Indeed, he is a veritable Ninja, slaughtering his majesty's enemies effortlessly and rising to the remarkable rank of ensign--the lowest officer in the king's service.

Along the way he has resisted the temptation to become a turncoat, saves the one day Duke of Wellington and now must avenge the death of his mentor and friend, Colonel McCandles. There is not much suspense as to how it will turn out--no fortress dare do anything but fall with Mr sharpe in the neighborhood-- but at least Cornwall is clever enough to make Sharpe an anti-super hero rather than one fighting for truth, justice and the Anglican way.

I found it rather annoying that Sharpe's arch enemy Sgt Hakeswell is still around. This time having survived the attack of a rogue elephant. It is a bit preposterous to have an enemy with as many lives as yourself,but apparently the author likes the Holmes-Moriarity construct. I wouldn't mind if his reason for survival wasn't that Sharpe apparently can't be bothered to stick around and be sure he is finished off.

The battle scenes are as rousing as ever and Sharpe's unhappiness with getting his wish to become an officer rings true but Cornwall needs to invert the formula for a few book's. The relentless superiority of our hero is becoming a bit tiresome.

This fantastic novel played out in my mind like a classic mid 1960's four hour long movie like Zulu or Dr. Zhivago. The evil but formidable Col. Dodd will always be a character I will remember. The author's descriptive building up of characters made me recall Peter Lorri, David Niven, Richard Harris. The evil of the corrupt characters made me shiver and feel anger. The description of the fortress, the conditions in India and the bloody battle amazed me. I had to read this in small pieces because it was like eating a rich French chocolate fondu of first hand history.

I heartily recommend this book to all history lovers, especially those who enjoy visiting the dark side of a variety of human characters or appreciate the intrigue involved in the once great British Empire.

This is an excellent series of books on Richard Sharpe, the enlisted man raised to the officer rank after saving the life of the future Duke of Wellington. The reader follows Sharpe from his beginnings in India, through the Napoleonic campaigns to Waterloo, and then in South America at the time of the former Emperor's death. All of the works are detailed, and contain enough action to suit anyone. Since this is a series, and the current works take place before the Napoleon ones, there's no suspense about Sharpe's fate, since he so obviously survives to fight on another day. That doesn't detract from the sheer joy of reading them, however, for you will learn an awful lot about the British army of the early 19th century, not to mention geography, history, and flora and fauna about all of the countries in which our intrepid hero battles. Read these books; you'll be glad you did!

In December 1803 the British Army had pushed back the Mahratta's to their last stronghold. A seemingly impenetrable fortress atop a mountain in a place named Gawilghur. Sharpe, now an officer, takes his heroism to a new level during the battle. The killing grounds of Gawilghur is where Sharpe becomes famous, already a hero to his General, he becomes a hero to the men.
The book see's an end to Sharpe's time in India, but it's a great finale to an awesome campaign that has seen Sharpe go from a lowly raw recruit to a hero with a commission. As with all Sharpe books history is told through Sharpe, this makes the book highly educational and interesting, the story is gripping and packed with action. It's a great read and a must for all Sharpe fans.
4 Stars

This book completes Cornwell's trilogy of historical novels chronicling Supersoldier Richard Sharpe's military career in India through 1803. The trilogy is a prequel to Sharpe's adventures during the Napoleonic Wars shown in a series on Masterpiece Theatre a few years ago. Sharpe is the eternal outsider: never fitting in; never accepted by his immediate superiors; always battling the incompetence and villainy that pervades the British army; and always winning the devotion and respect of those with "the right stuff". Like the entire series, this book is packed with great battle action and realistic gore. It is, as they say, a good read.
Where would Major General Arthur Wellsley(that shall be Duke of Wellington hereafter) be without Sharpe? Sharpe has already saved his life (in Sharpe's Triumph), earning himself promotion from the ranks. In Sharpe's Fortress he finds the key which allows Wellsley to capture Gawilghur, the impregnable stronghold of the Mahrattas, ending resistance to British rule in western India. In the future Sharpe will help Wellsley/Wellington restore his trooops' morale (Sharpe's Eagle), recover his hijacked payroll (Sharpe's Gold), expel the French from Spain (Sharpe's Honour) and win the battle of Waterloo (Sharpe's Waterloo).
Other reviewers, both amateur and professional, praise the accuracy of Cornwell's historical detail. I concur if that refers to details of life in the British Army of the early 19th century, the minutia of military equipment etc. There are some minor anachronisms in this book. Wellsley is referred to as "Sir Arthur" although he wasn't knighted until his return from India. Sharpe uses the image "quick as a jackrabbit" even though, as a London urchin, he would have had scant chance of knowing about a creature whose territory was just being explored by the first english-speakers like Lewis and Clark. Sharpe's nemesis, Sergeant Hakeswill, yearns "Haven't tasted a 'tater in months. Christian food, that, see?" despite the fact that potatoes did not become popular among English common folk until after the Napoleonic Wars.
My biggest quibble involves Corwell's historical perspective -- not his details. In his "Historical Note", he says that British losses at Gawilghur of 150 was a "small butcher's bill". He doesn't seem to count the thousands of Indians slaughtered there as part of the butcher's bill. He makes us see the inequalities and stupidities of the class-ridden British Army through Sharpe's eyes, but one will have to look elsewhere for a Mahratta's view of the events in the India of 1803.
Cornwell would have us see the British invaders as plucky, clever underdogs -- outnumbered and outgunned by fierce warriors in an impregnable fortress. Only in his afterword does he admit that the quick victory might lead one to "the supposition is that the defenders were thoroughly demoralized." But that won't do because it would turn the epic heroics of Sharpe and his friends into just another massacre! I find Sharpe and Wellsley easier to take when they are fighting Frogs rather than Wogs.

Although I prefer Bernard Cornwell's books on his hero, Richard Sharpe's daring exploits during the Peninsular War, this story--the third and final one set in India--about the young Sharpe's life as a newly made Ensign in the British Army is the best. In the previous book, Sharpe's Triumph, we learnt exactly how the then Sergeant Sharpe saved Sir Arthur Wellesley's (later Duke of Wellington's) life at the Battle of Assaye. Now, we see how Sharpe tries to adjust to the rank of Ensign that was thrust upon him for that heroic deed. All the elements of the other Sharpe novels are present here. The battles, especially the storming of the apparently inpenetrable fortress of Gawilghur, are excellently and vividly written. Sharpe is again with his back up against a wall in having to deal with both men and officers who resent that he's been "brought up", and facing his old nemesis, the twitching and sly Obadiah Hakeswill, once more. It's interesting to see this early relationship between protaganist and antagonist knowing how it plays out in the Peninsular portion of the series. Bernard Cornwell does take some creative license with history, but it is clear (as in all his books) how thoroughly researched it is. I always enjoy Cornwell's historical notes, and seeing what really happened. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment and seeing Sharpe marching on once more!

I really enjoyed this book. While the Sharpe's Rifle series (which I've read about 1/2-2/3 of) is sort of testosterone filled and militaristic I really do like how Cornwell uses the real settings and history in his books. Sometimes it seems like Sharpe is shoe-horned in to too many improbable situations, but hey if you can suspend disbelief long enough to watch 24 on Fox then why not do so here and learn some real history along the way.

If you like this book you'll also want to check out Sharpe's Tiger. You might also consider a book called "Revenge of the Jaguar King" by a new writer named Jay Hersh. It's set in Belize and does a similar sort of thing in combining history of the Maya with an action adventure.

This is another entry on the Sharpe series. It is fun, entertaining and very readable. Cornwell's research is as excellent as usual. He takes some licenses for the shake of the story and continuity, but this is OK. Some people are outraged by the portrait of some of the real historical characters, but historical characters are rarely depicted accurately in historical fiction, so I think this can be forgiven. Besides, usually a more serious account of these characters is given at the end of the book on the Historical Note.

Many people insist in compare this series with Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander. I don't think this is fair for any of the series, they are different entities. What they have in common is that once you start you may get hooked and devour one book after another...

And in the literary world today that is a rare and marvelous thing.

Cornwell goes back to India and Sharpe's early days as an ensign in this exciting tale set in 1803, the 16th book in the series, but the third chronologically. Obadiah Hakeswill once again acts as Sharpe's unspeakably evil protagonist. The story is told within the context of Arthur Wellesley's historic frontal assault on the seemingly impregnable fortress of Gawilghur set high above the Deccan Plain. The description of the bloody assault is Cornwell at his best.

I've read most of the Sharpe series and this is my favorite. A great mixture of historical fact with fictional characters that ring true.

Sharpe is currently stationed in India, having just fought at the Battle of Assaye, and barely escaped, nevertheless saving Britain once again. He has recently been promoted to ensign. With high hopes, Sharpe is then moved from platoon to platoon, the level of job satisfaction decreasing each time. He knows his job sucks, but as he looks up on that hill, he sees a hope, as revenge boils the blood in his heart. On that hill sits Gawhilgur, and the year is 1803. It is where he must wage war once more, but now he has deaths to avenge. His time the siege will be hard, the fortress almost impenetrable, and Sharpe will be stretched to his very limits.

Originally published on April 15th 2002.

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After reading this, my first thought was "you're grounded Orville, that won't fly." The others in the series I've read were all good or better, this one is weak and poorly constructed. Cornwell spends too much time on secondary characters who aren't interesting. As for Hakeswill, Cornwell made a serious error in judgment by allowing him to return to haunt so many of the books. He's a good villain, but only in small doses. He shows up so much that his quirks and presence quickly grow tiresome and irritating. If this is the only book in the series you've read, don't despair because the others are much better. This one never gets off the ground and is of very poor quality compared to the others.

Sharpe's Fortress is the third (chronological order) in the acclaimed Richard Sharpe series. Following the events of Sharpe's Triumph, Richard Sharpe is an Ensign who is unhappy with his command. All he wants to do is fight, and instead he becomes the assistant to a corrupt commissary officer. His old nemesis Hakeswill is still alive and well, and allied with corrupt Indian Allies. The third in Sharpe's adventures in India, Cornwell conjures up another unique and rolicking adventure full of danger, blood and beautiful women.

Of the four prequel pre-Peninsula campaign Sharpe's books this is the second worst. Cornwall seems to have written these more for the money than anything else. Tiger and Trafalgar I'd rate a four, Triumph a two. Hakeswill is in all three land based novels and a female relationship in three out of four. Cornwall seems to be writing by the numbers. Hakeswill escapes all the deaths that Sharpe arranges for him, as we know he will, but nothing is done to him, officially, even though higher up officers learn of Hakesill's nefarious deeds. Sloppy loose ends on Cornwall's part. As always, an interesting way to learn about British military history.

Historically correct tale of a mad British officer of Rifles. A jumped up Sgt. to Lt, then Captain, during the British conquest of India.
India was a fragmented, fighting tangle of independent kingdoms. Each fighting each other plus the Islamic kingdom of Mysore.
Exciting tale well written and historically correct. t.h.