From Crimea with Love

Misadventures in the Making of Sharpe’s Rifles

De: Jason Salkey

Narrado por: Jason Alexander Salkey

In the summer of 1992, Jason Salkey was cast in a role that would change his life forever. Sharpe’s Rifles, a Napoleonic war drama, was to be shot in the Crimean Peninsula. Little did the producers know that they would be sending Jason and the crew to film in a rapidly disintegrating Soviet Union. There they faced near-starvation and danger round every corner as they set about creating one of Britain’s most successful and critically acclaimed television programs.

From Crimea with Love documents the mishaps, blunders, incompetence and downright corruption that made Sharpe’s Rifles go down in British television folklore for its unique tales of hardship. Follow the cast through intense depravation and constant catastrophe until they become every bit the jaded, battle-hardened soldiers we saw on screen. Jason brings you an eye-opening, jaw-dropping insider’s account of one of the best-loved shows ever made.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021, 2022 Jason Alexander Salkey (P)2023 jason Alexander salkey

Genuine storytelling

As a long time fan of the films and novels, but having not visited Sharpe in either format in a goodly while, this book was like sitting down to have an extended brunch with a dear old friend. It was an even better revisit to the world of Sharpe because it was in a familiar voice. As with any behind-the-scenes footage/memoir/interview you should know what you're getting into and with modern filmography you risk losing some of the "magic" and much coveted suspension of disbelief. However, in this instance the Sharpe series is gritty enough, both in the viewing and very clearly in the making, that this really is just a lens into how an incredible series was brought to life. Far from removing the magic I now can't wait to revisit this series again and have already set aside time to do so.
I know Jason Salkey's acting credits best as one of the Chosen Men and the writing style and self-narrated book lend themselves to that image. I really feel like I've met him at the pub for an extended brunch and we're swapping stories about the adventures of our youth. If you like Sharpe, if you want to hear how a standout Napoleonic series was filmed, if you just like the pre-cgi film industry/history, or adventures in post-soviet europe, I can't recommend this book enough. Do yourself a favor and dive in.

absolutely loved this!

its been a long time since I have gotten to really dig in to the Sharpe thing (TV, not books) this gave me an excuse to kind of watch the series as I listened and add an entirely different way of enjoying the show. Made me feel like I was in some small part, involved in those rough and tumble days in the Crimea. Thank you Jason for such a frank and un-doctored take on the way tv and movie productions are done. Definitely a must read!

An extraordinary story for Sharpe fans and filmmakers

Wow! I can’t believe the making of the Sharpe series was that… crazy. Now that I’ve listened to the book there’s a lot I can see in the show that I thought was intentional but turns out to be influenced by behind the scenes life. Especially appreciate Jason’s narration, from the mouth of the man himself! Highly recommend!

Bringing a childhood favorite to life!

I've watched the show Sharpe in full countless times since I was a young lass. I always adored the character of Harris and his introduction to Sean Bean's titular character and I find myself quoting the introduction often. From Crimea with Love is A wonderfully fun and insightful look into the man behind the rifleman and the chaotic life the Sharpe crew had in country on set. A must listen, Salkey's reading will lull you into sense of comfort that makes an 8+ hour listen feel like nothing.

A must read for Sharpe fans!

This book will have you watching the Sharpe series (which will inevitably happen as you read) in a whole new light. Jason delivers a well written, entertaining and in depth look behind the scenes of filming. As someone said in another review, you would never know when watching the show just how many challenges the cast and crew faced to bring us the magic of Sharpe. Jason’s narration is perfect and really makes you feel like you're living right alongside them as they navigate the day to day difficulties. You will also learn a lot about “how the sausage is made” when it comes to tv productions, which for me was informative and enjoyable. If you are a Sharpe fan, then this is an absolute must read!

Eye opener. Genuine. Delivers.

I am beyond impressed with this book. The writing style lets the reader/listener experience the full gamut of raw emotion and physical toil (dirt, heat, pain, romance, excitement) as if they were experiencing the adventures right along side the author. A well balanced collection of humor, passion, pain, and whit sheds light on the rare-seen behind the camera process of filmmaking. This is a heartfelt project, bleeding with eye opening stories that allows the reader/listener to appreciate the gravity of work that the author and his comrades devoted into the making of a true masterpiece series, Sharpe’s. Well done, Chosen Man!

A Tale Well-Told

I enjoyed listening to this book very much. Jason Salkey has a lovely reading voice and knows how to use it to great effect.

The book itself is honest and informative about the conditions faced by the cast and crew of the TV show “Sharpe” as it was filmed in various locations from the Crimea to Turkey. You would never know, just watching the show, how difficult some of that filming was. You’ll appreciate your favourite shows and actors more, I think, after listening.

From Crimea with Love is particularly poignant now, I think, considering current events. It’s well worth your time to listen to.

A must-have for any fan of the series or “behind the scenes” buff!

I listened to this in companion to reading the hard-copy. An absolutely witty read, written with great pacing and enlightenment to the conditions and characters behind making the Sharpe Film series. Jason is an incredibly likable narrator and made me nostalgic for places I’ve never been and people I’ve never met! Pairs well with a watch party of the DVDs and some “Bacchanalian Excess” ;)

History behind the show.

It was great to listen to a book describing how a great TV show was filmed. The author goes into great detail about the filming, mistreatment of cast, conditions of living, food, how actors lived and spent their free time. The book explained a lot of choices made during filming which very unexplained in the TV series. It explained why certain actors disappeared. It was great to listen to the book read by Rifleman Harris. Listening to the book made me re-watch the series.

Fascinating

A fascinating look into the making of the Sharpe television series. Highly recommended for anyone who likes the series or wants to learn more about what it’s like to work as an actor on a television series.