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Sharpe's Siege  By  cover art

Sharpe's Siege

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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Publisher's summary

Sharpe's mission had seemed simple: capture a small unguarded French coastal fort, cripple Napoleon's supply lines, and retreat across the sea. But behind the lines, Sharpe's old enemy, Pierre Ducos, awaits Sharpe's arrival with a battalion of French soldiers and a vicious commanding general who keeps the scalps of his dead enemies as trophies.

Outmaneuvered by Ducos' treachery and abandoned by his own navy, Sharpe has only two choices: to escape with the aid of the charming, unscrupulous American mercenary, Cornelius Killick, or die.

Don't forget to check out the rest of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series.
©1987 Rifleman Productions (P)1995 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"With a plot up to its neck in blood and guts, this is adventure naked and unashamed." (Mail on Sunday)

What listeners say about Sharpe's Siege

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Behind enemy lines

Richard Sharpe is to command a company of "Rifles" (not his own company) behind enemy lines and capture a small unguarded French fort. As the British Navy is in command of the sea it is easy for the Navy to land Sharpe, the rifle company and a company of Marines behind enemy lines to do the job. Only the Naval Captain tries to take control and undercut Sharpe then when the French attack the Navy leaves. Sharpe is outmaneuvered by Pierre Ducos the French Spy master and Sharpe finds he faces 2000 French troops commanded by a brutal General. Some small battles take place in the first part of the book and the second half of the book is one big battle. Cornwell is the master of the battle scene, he paints a picture that brings it to life for the reader. Lots of suspense and intrigue, his friend, the Scot engineer and counter spy master Hogan dies of the fever in this story. Unlike other books in the series no such battle took place in the war but similar types of raids were made by the British marines and army into France. If you are a fan of this series or enjoy an excellent historical novel this is the book for you.

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Sharpe on the defensive

As usual, Cornwell's writing and Davidson's narration go great together. Can't believe that I'm nearly twenty books into this series, yet I still haven't gotten tired of listening to Sharpe's exploits.

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Phenomenal Historical Psudo-fiction

Bernard Cornwell’s writing is genius. His relating of grim battles in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is absolutely captivating. It is not just a statistical rehearsal of numbers wounded and dead. It is an in-your-face re-creation of the battle as though we were the ones, rifle or saber in hand, fighting not only for a cause but for our lives. I come away from those fight scenes almost sweating from the fear and action. Enlivening Cornwell’s words is the job of Frederick Davidson. Davidson translates the book into a script in which he plays the roles of each character and the narrator. When the action is frenetic, so is Davidson His pacing, intonation and breathing are so vivid I am more entangled in the action than I would be in a film version.
I strongly believe books can draw you personally into a story, engaging your imagination to immerse you in the book’s world. That concept is invigorated by the addition of a reader such as Davidson.
Sharpe’s Siege has our hero capturing and then defending a fort in France, against his better judgement. He is hamstrung by a traitor and a scurrilous

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Sharpe Creativity

Audio version narrated by Frederick Davidson.

The Sharpe novels involving combined arms operations with the navy are always a little more fun. This one is no different. The solutions Sharpe comes up with to come through his challenges are creative and fun to watch play out. The major side character lost at the end was a real bummer. Feel like Cornwell could have done better by the Irisih Major.

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Sharpe’s saga continues

Another great listen. As always one thrill and intrigue after another as Sharpe meets up with an unlikely ally.

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Sharpe Again Triumphant

Once again my favorite character emerges triumphantly from a situation with seemingly insurmountable obstacles! And this time with the help of an enemy!

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Sharp is cutting edge

Great story line - unique that Sharp crosses paths with American sailors, saved the lives of Americans and later Americans bail him out. Was touch and go for the major in this story. Great narration - I recommend this audio -

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What else can Sharpe throw at you?

He is resourceful and resilient and honorable too. This was a blast of a story. Thank you Mr Cornwell!

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Another superb plot -

Read by the BEST READER EVER. And don’t miss Frederick Davidson’s reading PG Wodehouse. The Blandings series and Jeeves series. Hours and hours and hours of delightful joy. Can’t listen without laughing out loud by Davidson’s voices. I wish more Sharpe books available on Audible. Some Missing ones are on YouTube.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Sharpe's Enemy repeat?

As usual Cornwell serves up an entertaining Sharpe adventure. However, anyone who has read the series, the plot elements might feel familiar - Sharpe and his troops are stuck in isolation and forced to fight against overwhelming odds due to secret enemy plans. Once again, his actions are driven by worry for his lover. These are the main elements of Sharpe's Enemy and are repeated here. Like Enemy, it's mainly a fictional tale but unlike Regiment - also mostly fictional - the reader doesn't learn more about the British army of the Napoleonic Wars. Siege also doesn't feel that it moves the overall story forward. Not a bad Sharpe entry but not as good as some others.

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