Sharpe’s Eagle: The Talavera Campaign, July 1809. Bernard Cornwell

The newly promoted Captain Richard Sharpe clashes with an incompetent colonel, leads his men in the battle of Talavera and earns himself a dangerous enemy.As Sharpe leads his men in to battle, he knows he must fight for the honour of the regiment and his future career.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.