Few historical fiction series have earned the lasting reputation of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels. First published in 1981, the series follows the career of Richard Sharpe, a soldier who rises from the lower ranks of the British Army to become one of its most respected officers during the Napoleonic Wars. Combining genuine historical events with unforgettable characters and gripping battlefield action, the novels have become a model for military historical fiction and remain just as popular today as they were in the 1980s.
​Many readers first discover Richard Sharpe through the television adaptations featuring Sean Bean. His portrayal of the hard-edged yet honourable soldier introduced the character to an international audience and helped cement Sharpe’s place as one of the great heroes of historical fiction. While the television series remains loved, Bernard Cornwell’s novels offer an even richer experience as they delve deep into Sharpe’s character, relationships and the military campaigns that shaped Europe in the early nineteenth century.
​Although Sharpe’s Eagle was the first novel in the series published, Cornwell later wrote several prequels that explore Sharpe’s early years in India before the events in the original series. This gives readers the choice between following the books in publication order as Bernard Cornwell wrote them, or reading them in chronological order and following the natural progression of Sharpe’s journey.
Table of Contents
Who is Richard Sharpe?
Richard Sharpe is one of historical fiction’s most enduring protagonists. Born into poverty in London’s slums and orphaned at a young age, he has little education, few opportunities and no influential connections. His only way forward is the British Army, where one’s survival depends as much on courage and determination as it does on skill.
​Unlike many military heroes of the period, Sharpe begins his career as an ordinary private soldier rather than an officer from a privileged background. Through exceptional bravery, quick thinking and a persistent refusal to give up, he earns promotions that place him amongst those who often resent his humble beginnings. Throughout the series, Sharpe constantly battles prejudice from fellow officers who believe birth is more important than ability.
​Much of the series centres on Sharpe’s service with the 95th Rifles, one of the British Army’s first specialist rifle regiments. Armed with the accurate Baker rifle, the regiment specialised in scouting, skirmishing and precision shooting. Serving with this regiment places Sharpe at the heart of many of the dangerous missions of the Napoleonic Wars.
​Despite his reputation as a fearless soldier, Sharpe is not a flawless hero. He is stubborn, often reckless, and uncomfortable with authority. Rather than seeking glory, he aims to survive while protecting those under his command. He does possess natural leadership and loyalty, and his willingness to stand alongside his soldiers earns their respect.
​One of the continuing storylines is Sharpe’s friendship with Irishman Patrick Harper. They develop a relationship established on trust, humour and mutual hardship, becoming one of the more memorable partnerships in historical fiction. Harper balances out Sharpe’s personality through comic relief and ongoing support.
​Although a fictional character, Sharpe’s story is told against meticulously researched historical events. He fights alongside real military leaders, takes part in genuine battles and experiences campaigns that closely reflect the challenges confronted by British soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. The combination of fiction and history makes Sharpe feel authentic, allowing readers to experience the conflict through the eyes of an ordinary soldier.
Why read the Sharpe books?
The ongoing popularity of the Sharpe series comes down to Bernard Cornwell’s ability to combine thrilling storytelling alongside genuine historical accuracy. Every novel is grounded in extensive research, bringing the Napoleonic Wars vividly to life without ever feeling like a history lesson. Cornwell recreates famous battles, military tactics and historical figures in extraordinary detail, allowing readers to experience important moments in European history through the eyes of one soldier.
​The action is another major reason readers keep returning to the series. From brutal sieges and cavalry charges to tense skirmishes behind enemy lines, the Sharpe novels deliver exciting military action while never losing awareness of the human cost of war. Cornwell’s battle scenes are immersive, fast-paced and easy to follow, making even complex historical engagements feel immediate and personal.
​Alongside this action is a cast of characters who bring warmth, humour and emotional richness to the series. Richard Sharpe’s friendships, rivalries and romances evolve naturally over time, while recurring favourites such as Patrick Harper become every bit as important as the battles themselves. Even many of the villains are complex, believable characters whose ambitions and prejudices add tension throughout the series.
​Finally, readers watch Sharpe grow from a rough, impulsive young soldier into a respected leader without losing the determination and resilience that define his character. His journey is filled with setbacks, difficult choices and personal sacrifices, making his successes feel thoroughly earned.
​Sharpe Books in Chronological Order
Sharpe’s Eagle was the first book to introduce Richard Sharpe, but Bernard Cornwell later wrote several prequels about Sharpe’s early days in the army. If you read the Sharpe books in chronological order, you can follow Sharpe’s path from a young private in India to a respected officer during the Napoleonic Wars.
The India Campaign
Sharpe’s Tiger
Richard Sharpe’s story begins at the Siege of Seringapatam in India. As a private, Sharpe gets caught up in political intrigue while serving under Arthur Wellesley, who would later become the Duke of Wellington. This novel shows the start of Sharpe’s courage, ambition, and determination.
Sharpe’s Triumph
Sharpe stays in India for the Battle of Assaye, one of Wellington’s greatest victories. His actions in battle help him earn respect and move up in the ranks.
Sharpe’s Fortress
The India trilogy ends with the attack on the fortress of Gawilghur, which seems almost impossible to capture. In this book, Sharpe proves his bravery again and earns more trust from his commanders.
Across Europe
Sharpe’s Trafalgar
Even though the book is named after Britain’s famous naval victory, most of the story takes place at sea before the Battle of Trafalgar. Sharpe gets involved in spying, murder, and naval battles as Europe heads toward a bigger war.
Sharpe’s Prey
During Britain’s campaign against Copenhagen, Sharpe discovers conspiracies while trying to stop a French plot. This book connects Sharpe’s time in India to his later role in the Peninsular War.
The Peninsular War
Sharpe’s Rifles
While serving with the 95th Rifles, Sharpe leads a group of survivors through enemy territory in Portugal. This book introduces important new characters and shows Sharpe’s leadership skills.
Sharpe’s Havoc
During the French invasion of Portugal, Sharpe takes on risky intelligence missions as he tries to stay ahead of Napoleon’s advancing armies.
Sharpe’s Eagle
This is the book that first introduced Richard Sharpe. Wanting to restore his honour, Sharpe pledges to capture one of Napoleon’s prized Imperial Eagles at the Battle of Talavera, making his name as a hero.
Sharpe’s Gold
Sharpe is sent into the Spanish mountains to find hidden gold needed for Wellington’s campaign. The mission soon turns out to be much more dangerous than he expected.
Sharpe’s Escape
As the French move through Portugal, Sharpe ends up trapped behind enemy lines. He fights to protect civilians and survive one of the hardest times in the war.
Sharpe’s Fury
During the defence of Cádiz, political plots and battles come together. Sharpe has to deal with changing alliances and face both enemies and traitors.
Sharpe’s Battle
Sharpe is put in charge of getting a new regiment ready for battle, but he soon finds that bad leadership can be even more dangerous than the French army.
Sharpe’s Company
At the tough siege of Badajoz, Sharpe goes back to his old company and faces personal rivalries as well as one of the bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic Wars.
Sharpe’s Sword
A ruthless French officer starts targeting British commanders, pulling Sharpe into a deadly chase while big battles continue across Spain.
Sharpe’s Enemy
Sharpe faces one of his toughest enemies yet as he tries to rescue hostages during Napoleon’s retreat through Spain.
Sharpe’s Honour
Sharpe is accused of dishonour and caught up in political intrigue. He must clear his name while helping Wellington push into Spain.
Sharpe’s Regiment
Sharpe goes back to England to find out why reinforcements are not reaching the front lines, and he uncovers corruption in the British Army.
Sharpe’s Christmas (Short Story)
This short story takes place during the winter campaign and gives a quick, entertaining adventure with Sharpe and his loyal friends.
Sharpe’s Siege
As the Peninsular War ends, Sharpe leads another risky attack during the Allied invasion of southern France.
Napoleon’s Final Defeat
Sharpe’s Revenge
Sharpe is wrongly accused of theft and murder. He must clear his name and find those responsible before they ruin everything he has worked for.
​Sharpe’s Waterloo
The series reaches one of the greatest battles as Sharpe fights with Wellington at Waterloo, where Napoleon’s rule finally ends.
After the Wars
Sharpe’s Devil
A few years after Waterloo, Sharpe teams up with Patrick Harper for an adventure in South America, showing that life after the army can be just as dangerous.
Later Adventures
Sharpe’s Assassin
Right after Waterloo, Sharpe gets caught up in political intrigue while Europe tries to rebuild after Napoleon’s defeat.
​Sharpe’s Command
Bernard Cornwell returns to the Peninsular War with a new story about a campaign that hasn’t been told before, adding another chapter to Sharpe’s military career.
​Sharpe’s Storm
The newest novel puts Sharpe on another dangerous mission during the Peninsular War, showing that Bernard Cornwell still finds new stories for his popular series.
Sharpe Books in Publication Order
Many readers like to follow Sharpe’s life in chronological order, but some prefer to read the books in the order Bernard Cornwell published them. Reading the series this way lets you see how both Sharpe and Cornwell’s writing changed over more than forty years.
- Sharpe’s Gold (1981)
- Sharpe’s Eagle (1981)
- Sharpe’s Company (1982)
- Sharpe’s Sword (1983)
- Sharpe’s Enemy (1984)
- Sharpe’s Honour (1985)
- Sharpe’s Regiment (1986)
- Sharpe’s Siege (1987)
- Sharpe’s Rifles (1988)
- Sharpe’s Revenge (1989)
- Sharpe’s Waterloo (1990)
- Sharpe’s Devil (1992)
- Sharpe’s Christmas (Short Story) (1994)
- Sharpe’s Ransom (Short Story) (1994)
- Sharpe’s Battle (1995)
- Sharpe’s Tiger (1997)
- Sharpe’s Triumph (1998)
- Sharpe’s Skirmish (1999)
- Sharpe’s Fortress (1999)
- Sharpe’s Trafalgar (2000)
- Sharpe’s Prey (2001)
- Sharpe’s Havoc (2003)
- Sharpe’s Escape (2004)
- Sharpe’s Fury (2006)
- Sharpe’s Assassin (2021)
- Sharpe’s Command (2023)
- Sharpe’s Storm (2025)
Should you read the Sharpe books in chronological or publication order?
There isn’t a right or wrong way to read the Sharpe books, but most readers choose the chronological order, which allows you to experience Richard Sharpe’s entire journey, from an inexperienced private serving in India to an experienced officer fighting at Waterloo and beyond. Reading chronologically allows you to see relationships develop naturally, understand how each promotion is earned and watch recurring characters enter the story.
​Publication order, however, offers a different perspective. Readers today can experience the series exactly how readers did when the books were first published back in the 1980s. As Bernard Cornwell expanded Sharpe’s backstory through later prequels, characters and events gained additional depth, which can make re-reads rewarding.
​If you are reading the Sharpe series for the first time, we recommend reading in chronological order for the smoothest character development, and to experience Richard Sharpe’s rise through the British Army.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Sharpe books are there?
The Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell currently consists of 24 novels and three short stories. These novels follow the military career of Richard Sharpe during the Napoleonic Wars and beyond. Although Sharpe’s Eagle was the first book published in 1981, Cornwell later wrote several prequels exploring the character’s early years as a soldier in India before campaigns in Spain and Portugal.
​Cornwell has continued to revisit the series over the years, and there are even more recent additions that fill in gaps in Sharpe’s timeline. Because of these additions, readers can enjoy the books in either publication or chronological order, depending on whether they want to experience the series as it was written, or follow Sharpe’s life from beginning to end.
What are the Sharpe books in order?
The Sharpe books can be read either in chronological order or in publication order, depending on what suits you best. Whether you’re reading the series for the first time or revisiting after many years, both orders offer an exciting journey into a very turbulent time in history. Below is the chronological order for the books, and their dates of publication:
- Sharpe’s Tiger (1997)
- Sharpe’s Triumph (1998)
- Sharpe’s Fortress (1999)
- Sharpe’s Trafalgar (2000)
- Sharpe’s Prey (2001)
- Sharpe’s Rifles (1988)
- Sharpe’s Havoc (2002)
- Sharpe’s Eagle (1981)
- Sharpe’s Gold (1981)
- Sharpe’s Escape (2004)
- Sharpe’s Fury (2006)
- Sharpe’s Battle (1995)
- Sharpe’s Company (1982)
- Sharpe’s Command (2023)
- Sharpe’s Sword (1983)
- Sharpe’s Skirmish (1999) Short story
- Sharpe’s Enemy (1984)
- Sharpe’s Honour (1985)
- Sharpe’s Regiment (1986)
- Sharpe’s Christmas (2003) Short story
- Sharpe’s Storm (2025)
- Sharpe’s Siege (1987)
- Sharpe’s Revenge (1989)
- Sharpe’s Waterloo (1990)
- Sharpe’s Assassin (2021)
- Sharpe’s Ransom (1994) Short story
- Sharpe’s Devil (1992)
Who wrote the Sharpe books?
The Sharpe books were written by acclaimed British historical fiction author Bernard Cornwell. First published in 1981, the series has become one of the most celebrated collections of military historical fiction ever published. Cornwell is famous for combining meticulous historical research with fast-paced storytelling, creating fictional characters who fight alongside real historical figures.
What is the best order to read the Sharpe books?
For most readers, the best way to enjoy the Sharpe books is in chronological order, starting with Sharpe’s Tiger, where Bernard Cornwell introduces Richard Sharpe as a young soldier serving in India. Reading in chronological order allows readers to follow his career, relationships and character growth as the series progresses. Reading these books in chronological order also provides a good understanding of how Sharpe earns his promotions, meets many of the series’ recurring characters and experiences the major campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars.
​If, however, you would like to experience the books as Bernard Cornwell wrote them, publication order is a great choice. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to read the series, but chronological order provides the most complete picture of Sharpe’s journey.