Bernard Cornwell

Easton Press Bernard Cornwell books

The India Trilogy - 2008 - including the following books:
Sharpe's Tiger - Signed limited edition
Sharpe's Triumph
Sharpe's Fortress

 

Author Bernard Cornwell

Bernard Cornwell, born on February 23, 1944, in London, England, is a prolific and internationally acclaimed author known for his historical novels, particularly those set in the medieval and early modern periods. With a career spanning several decades, Cornwell has gained a reputation for his meticulous research, vivid storytelling, and ability to bring historical events to life through compelling characters. Cornwell's early life was marked by a diverse range of experiences. After completing his education at the University of London, he worked as a teacher, eventually making his way to the United States. In the early 1970s, he began working as a producer and presenter for BBC television. His time in the U.S. included a stint as head of current affairs at Thames Television in New York.

It was in the 1980s that Bernard Cornwell turned his attention to writing historical fiction, a genre that would become his literary stronghold. His breakthrough came with the creation of Richard Sharpe, a fictional British soldier set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. The Sharpe series, which began with Sharpe's Eagle in 1981, became immensely popular and established Cornwell as a master storyteller of historical adventures. In addition to the Sharpe series, Cornwell has explored various historical periods in his novels. His works include the Warlord Chronicles, set in the time of King Arthur, the Grail Quest series set during the Hundred Years' War, and the Saxon Stories, which follows the exploits of Uhtred of Bebbanburg during the Viking invasions of England.

Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories, also known as The Last Kingdom series, follows the adventures of Uhtred of Bebbanburg during the Viking invasions of England.

Bernard Cornwell Saxon series in order

The Last Kingdom (2004)
The series begins with Uhtred as a young boy who is captured and raised by Vikings. The story follows his journey as he grapples with his divided loyalties between the English and the Danes.

The Pale Horseman (2005)
Uhtred continues his adventures as a warrior and finds himself at the heart of pivotal events during the Viking invasion of England.

Lords of the North (2006)
Uhtred faces new challenges and conflicts as he seeks to reclaim his birthright and navigate the complex political landscape of Saxon England.

Sword Song (2007)
Uhtred, now a seasoned warrior, becomes embroiled in the battles for control over England as various factions vie for power.

The Burning Land (2009)
The series continues with Uhtred's involvement in the struggle for dominance in England, particularly during the reign of Alfred the Great.

Death of Kings (2011)
Uhtred faces both internal and external threats as he plays a role in shaping the destiny of England during a tumultuous period.

The Pagan Lord (2013)
Uhtred faces new challenges and adversaries as he continues his quest to reclaim Bebbanburg and navigate the shifting alliances of the time.

The Empty Throne (2014)
Uhtred finds himself at the center of conflicts as he seeks to secure his legacy and protect the kingdoms of Wessex.

Warriors of the Storm (2015)
Uhtred faces both personal and political challenges as he continues to navigate the complex world of Viking invasions and Saxon politics.

The Flame Bearer (2016)
The series continues with Uhtred's quest for vengeance and his efforts to secure a future for himself and his people.

War of the Wolf (2018)
Set in 10th-century England and continues to follow the fortunes of the fictional Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

Sword of Kings (2019)
This novel begins with his investigating the murder of fishermen under his protection. He then gets drawn into an expected succession struggle in Wessex and Mercia.

War Lord (October 2020)
Uhtred of Bebbanburg plays a crucial role in the battle that will decide if Alfred the Great's dream of England comes to pass or not.

Cornwell's novels are characterized by their attention to historical detail, engaging characters, and action-packed plots. He has an extraordinary ability to immerse readers in the sights, sounds, and struggles of the past, making history accessible and exciting. Over the years, Bernard Cornwell has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to historical fiction. His novels have been bestsellers around the world, and his impact on the genre is widely recognized. Beyond his literary achievements, Cornwell's passion for history and storytelling has made him a beloved figure among readers who appreciate the blend of adventure and historical authenticity in his works.

 

Sharpe's Tiger - Sharpe Series Book 1

The prequel to the series, describing Sharpe's experiences in India. Sharpe’s Tiger describes the adventures of the raw young private soldier Richard Sharpe in India, before the Peninsular War.

Sharpe and the rest of his battalion, along with the rising star of the general staff Arthur Wellesley, are about to embark upon the siege of Seringapatam, island citadel of the Tippoo of Mysore. The British must remove this potentate from his tiger throne, but he has gone to extraordinary lengths to defend his city from attack. And always he is surrounded by tigers, both living and ornamental…any prisoner of the Tippoo can expect a savage end.

When a senior British officer is captured by the Tippoo's forces Sharpe is offered a chance to attempt a rescue, a chance he snatched in order to escape from the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill. But in fleeing Hakeswill he enters the confusing, exotic and dangerous world of the Tippoo and Sharpe will need all his wits just to stay alive, let alone save the British army from catastrophe.

With the same meticulous research and attention to detail that distinguishes the rest of the bestselling series of Sharpe novels, Bernard Cornwell has recreated the 1799 campaign against Seringapatam which made the British masters of southern India, a campaign that pitted brutalized soldiers against an ancient and splendid civilization. Set against a background of dazzling wealth, ruinous poverty, gorgeous palaces, sudden cruelty and pitiless battles, Sharpe’s Tiger is his greatest adventure yet.

Sharpe's Triumph - Sharpe Series Book 2

India, 1803. Sergeant Richard Sharpe witnesses a murderous act of treachery by an English officer who has defected from the East India Company to join the mercenary army of the Mahratta Confederation. In the hunt for the renegade Englishman, penetrates deep into the enemy's territory where he faces temptations more subtle than he has ever dreamed of. And behind him, relentlessly stalking him, comes his worst enemy, the baleful, twitching Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill who is determined to break Sharpe once and for all. The paths of treachery all lead to the small village of Assaye where Sir Arthur Wellesley, with a tiny British army, faces the Mahratta horde. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wellesley decides to fight, and Sharpe is plunged into the white heat of a battle that will make Wellesley's reputation. It will make Sharpe's name to, but only if he can survive the carnage and killing frenzy, for it is at Assaye that he at last realizes his ambition and has a chance to seize it. This major new novel will follow the adventures of Richard Sharpe in India, begun so excitingly in Sharpe's Tiger and culminating in the Battle of Assaye, which Wellington considered his greatest victory.

Sharpe's Fortress - Sharpe Series Book 3

Critically acclaimed, perennial New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell (Agincourt, The Fort, the Saxon Tales) makes real history come alive in his breathtaking historical fiction. Praised as "the direct heir to Patrick O'Brian" (Agincourt, The Fort), Cornwell has brilliantly captured the fury, chaos, and excitement of battle as few writers have ever done perhaps most vividly in his phenomenally popular novels following the illustrious military career of British Army officer Richard Sharpe during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In Sharpe's Fortress, Ensign Sharpe's adventures in India reach a grand finale at the Siege of Gawilghur during the Maharatta War in December 1803, as Cornwell's hero uncovers a foul treason and seeks a righteous revenge. Perhaps the San Francisco Chronicle said it best: "If only all history lessons could be as vibrant."