Sharpe's Gold is my favorite of the series so far because Sharpe has to make a costly decision at the end, which illustrates the kind of antihero he is. The Sharpe series needs more moments like this one. Based on his usual heroic and romantic exploits, one might think that Sharpe is a classic hero; however, Sharpe's Gold reminds us that he is, in fact, a rogue, who does what needs to be done despite the consequences.

In Sharpe's Gold, Captain Sharpe has to acquire some money to aid Wellington under the watchful eyes of Spanish guerillas, French dragoons, and even British officers. As customary, he makes an archenemy, who for once is even deadlier than Sharpe, and meets a spirited young lady. What distinguishes this installment from the others is that Sharpe's mission is not neither honorable nor heroic. Wellington chooses him because he is a scoundrel and a killer, not because he is a capable leader or soldier.

After reading nine Sharpe novels (in chronological order), I believe that the books published first are superior to the more recent books. Sharpe's Escape and Sharpe's Gold are leaner, more compelling stories than Sharpe's Prey and Sharpe's Havoc. In the earlier books, Cornwell endangers Sharpe more effectively. I think that they also reveal more about Sharpe's character; however, that may be simple logistics, since the later books do not have to reveal as much character if the earlier books have already accomplished the task.

If you like adventure, action, and antiheroes, Richard Sharpe is your man.

Sharpe's Gold is an installment of the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell which takes place during the Peninsular War and one year after the Battle of Talavera . Captain Richard Sharpe is with General Wellington's army in Portugal where the British are in dyer need of money, food and supplies. Sharpe's mission is to steal gold to continue to fund the campaign. Sharpe finds himself stuck in the fortress at Almeida, Portugal and he must use all of his cunning to escape and help save the British army.

It's 1810 and a year has passed since the British victory at Talavera, and Capt. Sharpe's capture of a French eagle. And it hasn't been a good year for the Brits. The Spanish army has collapsed, the government has surrendered, and Wellington's army is heavily outnumbered and in retreat down the length of Portugal. And unless the commanding general gets an infusion of cash from somewhere, he knows Britain will be forced to give up its efforts on the Peninsula and Napoleon will control all of Europe. Fortunately, there's a large stash of gold coins tucked away in a mountain village, abandoned when the Spanish army whose payroll it was intended to be surrendered. Now Wellington needs that gold -- absolutely must have it to survive -- and he send Sharpe and the light infantry company he commands to fetch it. Well, to steal it, actually, from the Spanish partisans who presently have control of it. Sharpe's guide and contact is Major Kearsey, a religious zealot who has gone native and takes the side of the Spanish wherever they come into conflict with the needs of the British. Sharpe's trek through French-controlled territory is exciting, but nothing like as hair-raising as their later flight with the gold. To acquire it, Sharpe has had to disobey Kearsey, make an enemy of the leader of the guerillas, kidnap a dangerous young woman, and attack enemy forces that outnumber him sixteen-to-one. Of course, the girl becomes Sharpe's latest conquest (there's a new one in every book) and the closing chapters describing the destruction of the garrison of the besieged town of Almeida is astonishing. And it's based on historical fact, as all events of this caliber are in the Sharpe series. This volume has an especially tight focus, since it doesn't lead up to a set-piece battle, and Sharpe isn't necessarily a sterling hero. One of the better entries in the series so far.