Bernard Cornwell · 1988 · survival

Bernard Cornwell's 1988 novel. In the bitter winter of 1809, as the British army reels back toward Corunna with the French at its heels, Lieutenant Richard Sharpe and a handful of green-jacketed riflemen are cut off in the mountains of Galicia. Thrown together with a proud Spanish soldier on a strange quest, Sharpe must fight his way through enemy country to the sea.

1. 1
   Astorga

   As Sir John Moore's army streams westward in a desperate winter retreat, Lieutenant Sharpe and his riflemen are cut off near Astorga, stranded deep behind the advancing French with no way back to the main column.

2. 2
   Villafranca

   Falling in with the enigmatic Spanish officer Blas Vivar and his mysterious strongbox, Sharpe fights running skirmishes through the frozen passes as French cavalry hunt the stragglers of the broken army.

3. 3
   Lugo

   Across the snowbound Galician hills they push, Sharpe slowly winning the loyalty of his sullen riflemen, toward a hidden purpose of Vivar's that means far more to Spain than one small band's survival.

4. 4
   Corunna

   Their road ends near Corunna on the northern coast, where Vivar's banner is raised in defiance and Sharpe, blooded as a leader at last, helps strike a blow that rekindles Spanish hope against the invader.