If you’re a fan of gripping historical fiction, heart-pounding battles, and a roguish hero who defies the odds, Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series is a must-read. Centered on Richard Sharpe, a daring British soldier navigating the brutal Napoleonic Wars, this series blends meticulous historical detail with thrilling action and unforgettable characters. With 24 novels, three short stories, and a new book, Sharpe’s Storm, set to release in October 2025, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about where to start. Don’t worry—this SEO-friendly and reader-engaging guide will walk you through the Sharpe books in order, offering two reading paths (chronological and publication order) and tips to dive into this epic saga.
Why Read the Sharpe Series?
Before we dive into the reading order, let’s talk about why the Sharpe series has captivated millions of readers and inspired a hit TV adaptation starring Sean Bean. Richard Sharpe, born in poverty and rising through the ranks of the British Army, is a complex hero—brilliant, wayward, and fearless. From the battlefields of India to the chaos of Waterloo, Sharpe’s adventures are packed with:
- Pulse-pounding action: Cornwell’s vivid battle scenes make you feel the musket balls whistling by.
- Rich historical detail: Each book is grounded in real events, meticulously researched to bring the Napoleonic era to life.
- Compelling characters: From loyal Sergeant Patrick Harper to cunning villains, the cast adds depth and drama.
- A rags-to-riches tale: Sharpe’s journey from private to officer is a testament to grit and courage, despite class prejudice.
Whether you’re a history buff, an action enthusiast, or just love a good story, the Sharpe series delivers. But with so many books, what’s the best way to read them? Let’s explore your options.
List Of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe Books in Order of Publication
Below is the complete list of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series books and short stories, ordered by their release date, presented in a table format.
| # | Title | Release Year | Type | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharpe’s Eagle | 1981 | Novel | Spain, 1809 |
| 2 | Sharpe’s Gold | 1981 | Novel | Spain, 1810 |
| 3 | Sharpe’s Company | 1982 | Novel | Spain, 1812 |
| 4 | Sharpe’s Sword | 1983 | Novel | Spain, 1812 |
| 5 | Sharpe’s Enemy | 1984 | Novel | Spain, 1812 |
| 6 | Sharpe’s Honour | 1985 | Novel | Spain, 1813 |
| 7 | Sharpe’s Regiment | 1986 | Novel | England, 1813 |
| 8 | Sharpe’s Siege | 1987 | Novel | France, 1814 |
| 9 | Sharpe’s Rifles | 1988 | Novel | Spain, 1809 |
| 10 | Sharpe’s Revenge | 1989 | Novel | France, 1814 |
| 11 | Sharpe’s Waterloo | 1990 | Novel | Belgium, 1815 |
| 12 | Sharpe’s Devil | 1992 | Novel | Chile, 1820–1821 |
| 13 | Sharpe’s Battle | 1995 | Novel | Spain, 1811 |
| 14 | Sharpe’s Tiger | 1997 | Novel | India, 1799 |
| 15 | Sharpe’s Triumph | 1998 | Novel | India, 1803 |
| 16 | Sharpe’s Skirmish | 1999 | Short Story | Spain, 1812 |
| 17 | Sharpe’s Fortress | 1999 | Novel | India, 1803 |
| 18 | Sharpe’s Trafalgar | 2000 | Novel | At Sea, 1805 |
| 19 | Sharpe’s Prey | 2001 | Novel | Denmark, 1807 |
| 20 | Sharpe’s Havoc | 2002 | Novel | Portugal, 1809 |
| 21 | Sharpe’s Christmas | 2003 | Short Story | Spain, 1813 |
| 22 | Sharpe’s Ransom | 2003 | Short Story | France, post-1815 |
| 23 | Sharpe’s Escape | 2004 | Novel | Portugal, 1810 |
| 24 | Sharpe’s Fury | 2006 | Novel | Spain, 1811 |
| 25 | Sharpe’s Assassin | 2021 | Novel | France, 1815 |
| 26 | Sharpe’s Command | 2023 | Novel | Spain, 1812 |
| 27 | Sharpe’s Storm | 2025 | Novel | Spain, 1814 |
Notes:
- The table includes all 24 novels and 3 short stories in the Sharpe series, ordered by publication year.
- Sharpe’s Storm is scheduled for release in October 2025, as confirmed by Bernard Cornwell.
Reading the Sharpe Books: Chronological vs. Publication Order
There are two main ways to read the Sharpe series: chronological order (following the historical timeline of Sharpe’s life) or publication order (the order Cornwell wrote the books). Each has its perks, and we’ll break them down to help you decide.
Option 1: Chronological Order (Recommended by Bernard Cornwell)
Cornwell himself recommends reading the Sharpe books in chronological order to follow Richard Sharpe’s career from his early days in India to his post-Napoleonic adventures. This approach lets you experience Sharpe’s growth as a soldier and leader in a linear timeline, starting in 1799 and ending in 1821. It’s ideal if you love plot-driven stories and want to immerse yourself in the historical progression of the Napoleonic Wars.
Here’s the full chronological order, including novels and short stories, with their settings:
- Sharpe’s Tiger (1997) – India, 1799: Private Sharpe joins a mission to infiltrate Seringapatam.
- Sharpe’s Triumph (1998) – India, 1803: Sharpe earns his stripes at the Battle of Assaye.
- Sharpe’s Fortress (1999) – India, 1803: Sharpe faces the Siege of Gawilghur.
- Sharpe’s Trafalgar (2000) – At Sea, 1805: Sharpe is caught in the epic Battle of Trafalgar.
- Sharpe’s Prey (2001) – Denmark, 1807: Sharpe navigates the Siege of Copenhagen.
- Sharpe’s Rifles (1988) – Spain, 1809: Sharpe takes command during the retreat from Corunna.
- Sharpe’s Havoc (2002) – Portugal, 1809: Sharpe defends against a French invasion.
- Sharpe’s Eagle (1981) – Spain, 1809: Sharpe’s first published adventure, set during the Talavera Campaign.
- Sharpe’s Gold (1981) – Spain, 1810: Sharpe hunts for hidden treasure amid war.
- Sharpe’s Escape (2004) – Portugal, 1810: Sharpe battles through the Lines of Torres Vedras.
- Sharpe’s Fury (2006) – Spain, 1811: Sharpe fights in the Battle of Barossa.
- Sharpe’s Battle (1995) – Spain, 1811: Sharpe faces an elite French unit.
- Sharpe’s Company (1982) – Spain, 1812: Sharpe storms the fortress of Badajoz.
- Sharpe’s Command (2023) – Spain, 1812: Sharpe tackles an impossible mission at Almaraz.
- Sharpe’s Sword (1983) – Spain, 1812: Sharpe duels a deadly enemy.
- Sharpe’s Skirmish (1999, short story) – Spain, 1812: A quick tale set after Sharpe’s Sword.
- Sharpe’s Enemy (1984) – Spain, 1812: Sharpe confronts a bitter foe.
- Sharpe’s Honour (1985) – Spain, 1813: Sharpe fights to clear his name.
- Sharpe’s Regiment (1986) – England, 1813: Sharpe uncovers corruption in the army.
- Sharpe’s Christmas (2003, short story) – Spain, 1813: Sharpe faces enemies and refugees.
- Sharpe’s Storm (2025) – Spain, 1814: Sharpe braces for a brutal new challenge.
- Sharpe’s Siege (1987) – France, 1814: Sharpe leads a daring raid.
- Sharpe’s Revenge (1989) – France, 1814: Sharpe seeks justice after betrayal.
- Sharpe’s Waterloo (1990) – Belgium, 1815: Sharpe fights in the iconic Battle of Waterloo.
- Sharpe’s Assassin (2021) – France, 1815: Sharpe hunts a spy in Paris.
- Sharpe’s Ransom (2003, short story) – France, post-1815: Sharpe faces a personal crisis.
- Sharpe’s Devil (1992) – Chile, 1820–1821: Sharpe investigates a disappearance.
Why choose chronological order?
- Follows Sharpe’s career from private to lieutenant colonel, showing his evolution.
- Aligns with the historical timeline, making battles like Trafalgar and Waterloo feel immersive.
- Includes prequels (Sharpe’s Tiger to Sharpe’s Prey) that flesh out Sharpe’s early years.
Tip: Start with Sharpe’s Tiger for a deep dive into Sharpe’s origins, or try Sharpe’s Rifles for a taste of the Peninsular War, where Sharpe’s leadership shines.
Option 2: Publication Order (Best for Character Development)
If you’re more interested in Cornwell’s growth as a writer and how Sharpe’s character evolved over time, reading in publication order is a great choice. This is how fans first met Sharpe in 1981, and it reflects the series’ development alongside the TV adaptation. You’ll see Cornwell’s writing mature and notice how Sean Bean’s portrayal influenced later books (like removing mentions of Sharpe’s black hair to match Bean’s blonde locks!).
Here’s the publication order:
- Sharpe’s Eagle (1981)
- Sharpe’s Gold (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 Battle (1995)
- Sharpe’s Tiger (1997)
- Sharpe’s Triumph (1998)
- Sharpe’s Skirmish (1999, short story)
- Sharpe’s Fortress (1999)
- Sharpe’s Trafalgar (2000)
- Sharpe’s Prey (2001)
- Sharpe’s Havoc (2002)
- Sharpe’s Christmas (2003, short story)
- Sharpe’s Escape (2004)
- Sharpe’s Fury (2006)
- Sharpe’s Assassin (2021)
- Sharpe’s Command (2023)
- Sharpe’s Storm (2025)
- Sharpe’s Ransom (2003, short story)
Why choose publication order?
- Experience Cornwell’s writing evolution, from the raw energy of Sharpe’s Eagle to the polished prequels.
- Follow the original fan journey, including the impact of the TV series.
- Avoid minor inconsistencies from later prequels that don’t always align with earlier books.
Tip: Begin with Sharpe’s Eagle, the first published book, to capture the classic Sharpe vibe that hooked readers. It’s a standalone story set during the Talavera Campaign.
Where to Start? Our Recommendation
If you’re new to the Sharpe series, we recommend starting with Sharpe’s Eagle (publication order) to get a feel for Cornwell’s style and Sharpe’s world during the Peninsular War. It’s the book that launched the series and offers a quintessential Sharpe adventure—action, betrayal, and heroism. If you’re hooked and want to follow Sharpe’s entire journey, switch to chronological order starting with Sharpe’s Tiger. This hybrid approach balances accessibility with historical flow.
Already a fan of historical fiction? Dive straight into chronological order with Sharpe’s Tiger to follow Sharpe’s rise from the very beginning. The India prequels are rich with exotic settings and intense battles, setting the stage for Sharpe’s later exploits.
Fun Facts About the Sharpe Series
- Inspired by Hornblower: Cornwell created Sharpe after enjoying C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower novels, wanting a similar army-based hero. He even named Sharpe after rugby player Richard Sharp, adding an “e” for flair.
- Sean Bean’s Influence: The TV series (1993–2008) starring Sean Bean as Sharpe was so popular that Cornwell adjusted later books to match Bean’s appearance and wrote new novels to fill timeline gaps.
- Historical Accuracy: Cornwell’s research is meticulous, with each book featuring a historical note explaining real events versus fictional elements. Check his website for recommended non-fiction reading to dive deeper.
- New Release in 2025: Sharpe’s Storm, set for October 2025, will see Sharpe face a brutal new challenge in 1814. Cornwell apologized for the delay due to personal health issues and a plot snag, making this a highly anticipated addition.
Enhance Your Sharpe Experience
- Watch the TV Series: The ITV adaptation (available on platforms like Amazon Prime) brings Sharpe to life with Sean Bean’s iconic performance. While budget constraints show, it’s a fan favorite for its gritty action.
- Join the Community: Connect with fans on Reddit’s r/Sharpe or the Sharpe Appreciation Society for discussions and updates.
- Explore Cornwell’s Other Works: Loved Sharpe? Try The Last Kingdom series for Viking-era adventures or The Grail Quest for medieval battles.
Final Thoughts
The Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell is a masterclass in historical fiction, blending swashbuckling adventure with rich historical context. Whether you choose chronological order to follow Sharpe’s life or publication order to trace Cornwell’s journey as a writer, you’re in for a thrilling ride. Start with Sharpe’s Eagle for a classic introduction or Sharpe’s Tiger for a deep historical dive, and get ready to march alongside Richard Sharpe through the smoke and chaos of the Napoleonic Wars.
Which book will you start with? Let us know in the comments, and happy reading!
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