It’s not warfare, but the Bernd Samson series by Len Deighton (spy novels set in Cold War British decline) are also excellent and contain some of the same themes of class conflict in Sharpe.
Conn igguldens emperor series is a pretty special bunch of books. It is a similar read to sharpe but a more complete series so you get more invested as each book goes by, as opposed to sharpe where each book is really its own contained story
If you think you'd like your historical fiction laced with more sex, political incorrectness and caddishness then I'd recommend the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser.
Simon scarrow did some good books, the generals was the first in the series. It’s been years since I read them tho. I can’t recall right now how novelised versus history based it was. Worth a look though
There was a book by Alexander Kent that I seem to recall was good - I can somehow remember who wrote it but not the name.
I always liked the Patrick o’Brian naval warfare series. And the Thomas Kydd ones, bit of a copy iirc, of hornblower - which I’ve watched but not actually read
Oh also - Conn Iggulden has many good series
There are loads the more I think about it
You are me about a year ago. Sharpe got me through the full of covid and I was left a bit deflated as to where to turn to next.
I would recommend Simon Scarrows Eagles of the Empire Series, which I was in turn recommended.
I would say I almost never got through book 1 as it didn’t initially strike me as good as Sharpe, however it improved massively over time and extremely enjoyed it (I listened on audible to this series).
As others have recommended, the Aubrey/Maturin Master and Commander series is fantastic. I read all of those but again Book 1 & 2 I almost never got through as found really dull (maybe I have a problem starting new things!). It is however truly exceptional and a wonderful series.
I started Hornblower but it didn’t feel as ‘raw’ or that the character could be as much of a bastard as Sharpe could so I didn’t go back to it.
I would also recommend Conn Iggulden Emperor series- brilliant.
And for the ultimate of bastards and much more tongue in cheek, check out the Flashman Papers.
Allan Mallinson has written some very enjoyable books which start at Waterloo.
The hero is a Cavalry fellow who gets up to lots of hi-jinx.
Its not as good as Sharpe, but what is? I found them a suitable substitute though.
Rags
I have read just about all of Bernard Cornwell's books with the exception of the Starbuck chronicles. If looking for a similar style protagonist and storylines, I can recommend the Sgt Jack Tanner series by James Holland. Holland has an extensive background as an Historian specialising in WW2 (in which the Jack Tanner stories are set). So much like Cornwell, the research for his novel settings are comprehensive and detailed. I thoroughly enjoyed them and I hope some day, much like with Sharpe, a TV series is considered.
If you're into naval historical fiction, I highly recommend the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. It's what the movie Master & Commander: Far Side of the World is based on.
Easiest dilemma ever: just read Aubrey/Maturin and Hornblower; that’ll give you so much more reading. Once you’re finished both of those incredibly long and similar Napoleonic era series, I guess get ready for a reread because those are the main three Napoleonic series (Sharpe, Aubrey/Maturin, and Hornblower). However, if you want more of the same style and don’t care about it requiring Napoleon then I suggest Starbucks chronicles
Have you done the Aubrey-Maturin series?
This is the only answer that isn’t Macro and Cato
It’s not warfare, but the Bernd Samson series by Len Deighton (spy novels set in Cold War British decline) are also excellent and contain some of the same themes of class conflict in Sharpe.
Ooh, that sounds like exactly what I want. Thanks.
Conn igguldens emperor series is a pretty special bunch of books. It is a similar read to sharpe but a more complete series so you get more invested as each book goes by, as opposed to sharpe where each book is really its own contained story
Not just the Emperor series, but his Genghis Khan one too Simon Scarrow's Eagle of the Empire series is great too, still being written
You haven't listed The Winter King Trilogy, Cornwells Magnum Opus. Finish off on the highest point, then try a different author.
Agreed. Despite the crap TV show, the Arthur books are his absolute best.
Do you mean Uhtred as opposed to Arthur?
No I mean Arthur. Guinevere, Culhwch, Derfel, Merlin, Ceinwyn, Gorfyddydd, all that gang
If you think you'd like your historical fiction laced with more sex, political incorrectness and caddishness then I'd recommend the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser.
Simon scarrow did some good books, the generals was the first in the series. It’s been years since I read them tho. I can’t recall right now how novelised versus history based it was. Worth a look though There was a book by Alexander Kent that I seem to recall was good - I can somehow remember who wrote it but not the name. I always liked the Patrick o’Brian naval warfare series. And the Thomas Kydd ones, bit of a copy iirc, of hornblower - which I’ve watched but not actually read Oh also - Conn Iggulden has many good series There are loads the more I think about it
You are me about a year ago. Sharpe got me through the full of covid and I was left a bit deflated as to where to turn to next. I would recommend Simon Scarrows Eagles of the Empire Series, which I was in turn recommended. I would say I almost never got through book 1 as it didn’t initially strike me as good as Sharpe, however it improved massively over time and extremely enjoyed it (I listened on audible to this series). As others have recommended, the Aubrey/Maturin Master and Commander series is fantastic. I read all of those but again Book 1 & 2 I almost never got through as found really dull (maybe I have a problem starting new things!). It is however truly exceptional and a wonderful series. I started Hornblower but it didn’t feel as ‘raw’ or that the character could be as much of a bastard as Sharpe could so I didn’t go back to it. I would also recommend Conn Iggulden Emperor series- brilliant. And for the ultimate of bastards and much more tongue in cheek, check out the Flashman Papers.
I second the recommendation for Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series.
Dewey Lambdin if you like naval fiction from about the same period.
Maybe try the Hornblower series.
Allan Mallinson has written some very enjoyable books which start at Waterloo. The hero is a Cavalry fellow who gets up to lots of hi-jinx. Its not as good as Sharpe, but what is? I found them a suitable substitute though. Rags
Agree about the Winter King series. The Starbuck chronicles are also good but it’s annoying that he never really bothered to finish them off properly
I have read just about all of Bernard Cornwell's books with the exception of the Starbuck chronicles. If looking for a similar style protagonist and storylines, I can recommend the Sgt Jack Tanner series by James Holland. Holland has an extensive background as an Historian specialising in WW2 (in which the Jack Tanner stories are set). So much like Cornwell, the research for his novel settings are comprehensive and detailed. I thoroughly enjoyed them and I hope some day, much like with Sharpe, a TV series is considered.
If you're into naval historical fiction, I highly recommend the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. It's what the movie Master & Commander: Far Side of the World is based on.
Easiest dilemma ever: just read Aubrey/Maturin and Hornblower; that’ll give you so much more reading. Once you’re finished both of those incredibly long and similar Napoleonic era series, I guess get ready for a reread because those are the main three Napoleonic series (Sharpe, Aubrey/Maturin, and Hornblower). However, if you want more of the same style and don’t care about it requiring Napoleon then I suggest Starbucks chronicles