Sharpe's Havoc by Bernard Cornwell

Dear John, 

I wondered if you would be interested in a book review, looking at the latest Sharpe novel.

The year is 1809 and the French under Marshal Soult have smashed their way into northern Portugal, our hero and his squad of riflemen find themselves trapped on the wrong side of the river as their means of escape, a pontoon bridge collapses. In trying to rejoin their army, Sharpe and Harper gather a collection of assorted allies, as well as the compulsory luscious lady.

The story is, as we have come to expect with Cornwell's work, full of action, blood and slaughter. The climax of the campaign is the recapture of Oporto by the Allies commanded by Wellesley, and the chosen men are in the thick of the action. So there is plenty for the wargamer to enjoy.

More to the point there are loads of potential wargames scenarios throughout the story. Sharpe's riflemen are joined by a group of Portugese infantry led by a keen but inexperienced officer. They also come across groups of Portugese guerillas and militia defending villages and bridges. The main protagonists are a unit of French Dragoons, whose casual violence is quite sickening, and a veteran unit of light infantry, led be a Gallic version of Sharpe. 

The actions that they engage in range from a fighting retreat, the defence of a hilltop ruin, to a major assault on a fortified building. We have already fought a few games using our inhouse rules with the book to provide the scenario, and they have been great. So my advice is get down to the shops and buy it!

Carl Thomas

Please remember to mention Wargames Forum when contacting traders!

Back to Wargames Forum    Back to Book Reviews