Dear Peter Holloran:
It was with great interest that I read your query about the Sharpe
series. I don't consider myself an expert, but I have experience with both
historical fiction and college students. I work part-time as an editor for
Sharon Kay Penman, who writes excellent historical novels. No bodice rippers
here, they contain as much research as the best non-fiction. They are about
English and Welsh medieval history. If you enjoyed the Sharpe series, you'll
enjoy her books. I use my background in medieval history to edit her chapters
with regard to historical accuracy, continuity, character development, and
just plain readability. I'm now working on her 6th book - my 4th with her. My
day job, however, is that of librarian at the University of Pittsburg at
Titusville. In my role as fact-finder & mother confessor, I have also become
a tutor for some of our students in English & History. I know how boring they
consider some introductory courses & how little attention they pay when bored.
So, with all that in mind, onto Sharpe. I thoroughly enjoyed the PBS
series & because of that, have read all but 3 of the 13-book series. A by-
product of good historical fiction is the piquing of the reader's interest &
the invitation to further exploration of historical fact through the story
presented. Much of my knowledge about Alexander the Great was gained after
reading the novels of Mary Renault. I think Sharpe would be a good
introduction to the Napoleonic Wars. Mr. Cornwell has packed each book with
details of military life & the nuts and bolts of how war was waged then.
If the students get to see any videos of the series, they will definitely not
be bored. My son watched the series with me & was filled with questions about
the differences between officers and enlisted men, the injustices & harshness
of army life, the differences between muskets and rifles, and the details of
besieging a city and breaching a wall. We discussed the fatal dangers of
having to conduct a campaign on 2 fronts & finished it all with a comparison
of Napoleon and Hitler - who obviously didn't learn from history and was
doomed to repeat it.
So, I would say to anyone teaching this period in history, take a look at
Mr. Sharpe. The books are little gems of fiction about military life during
the Peninsular War, with the battle scenes some of the best I've read. The
videos give a human face to the battles & brawls, politics & private lives.
Your students will not be bored - they will enjoy the battles & love Richard
Sharpe. For anyone who wants to take the next step, may I suggest the Diary of
a Napoleonic Foot Soldier. To view the Napoleonic Wars from the French side,
look on video for The Duelists.
Valerie LaMont