The Sharpe is a Historical Fiction / Crime Fiction series by Bernard Cornwell, made up of 27 books published between 1981 and 2025. It begins with Sharpe's Gold (1981), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is Sharpe's Storm (2025), spanning 44 years of storytelling.
Sharpe series: frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Sharpe series?
Start with Sharpe's Gold (1981), the first book in the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.
How many books are in the Sharpe series?
There are 27 books in the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell, published between 1981 and 2025.
What is the first book in the Sharpe series?
The first book in the Sharpe series is Sharpe's Gold, published in 1981 by Bernard Cornwell.
What is the latest book in the Sharpe series?
The most recent book in the Sharpe series is Sharpe's Storm (2025) by Bernard Cornwell.
About the Sharpe series
Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels are the gold standard of military historical fiction. Richard Sharpe rises from the gutter through the ranks of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars, a hard, resourceful rifleman whose courage and low birth make him as many enemies among his own officers as among the French.
Cornwell's battle scenes are unmatched — visceral, precise, and thrilling — and Sharpe himself is a magnetic antihero. The series sweeps across India, the Peninsular War and Waterloo, blending real history with breathless adventure.
The books were published out of chronological order; you can read by publication or follow Sharpe's career chronologically. Many start with "Sharpe's Eagle," the first written, or "Sharpe's Tiger," the earliest in his timeline.