As Napoleon threatens to crush Britain in battle, Lt. Col. Richard Sharpe leads a ragtag army to exact a personal revenge.

In the spring of 1811, one of the most bitter battles of the Peninsular War is about to commence. The hopes and hearts of all of Britain are turned toward Spain, where victory will be won or lost.

A skilled leader and proven hero, Richard Sharpe takes charge of an Irish battalion from the king of Spain's household guard. But poorly equipped and untrained, they are easily ambushed by an elite French unit commanded by Sharpe's deadly enemy, Brigadier General Guy Loup. Sharpe and Loup have tangled before, and now the fighting wolf means to exact his revenge. But something goes terribly wrong in their bloody skirmish, and Sharpe is faced with the ruin of his career and reputation. Stripped of everything he holds dear, all he has left is his honor, spirit, and courage. To redeem himself in the eyes of his men and his country, his task is clear-to lead his men to glory on the bloody streets of Spain-or die trying.

Bernard Cornwell was born in London. He worked for the BBC and Thames Television before coming to the United States to write full time. Married to an American, he lives with his wife on Cape Cod.