Quote:
Originally Posted by DrNefario
I really enjoyed the Sharpe books, myself. I read them all in a fairly short period of time, bar the one which was published later. The "backfill" books were mostly a bit less interesting, but I kind of enjoy learning my history through the prism of fictitious action.
|
I came to the Sharpe books knowing little about the Penninsular Wars other than the fact of them and that Wellington won them; now I feel conversant with both the major battles and the grand sweep of the action. I also find fiction a good way to approach a historical topic; I can fill in later with a serious, nonfiction work, but it helps to have the framework for a starter. Cornwell gets the history right, too, a critical element. The books aren't perfect, but the characterizations and the dialogue are excellent.