Sharpe's Rifles

The book Sharpe’s Rifles is the beginning of a rather large series of wonderful books by Bernard Cornwall. I say it is the first book, but as Bernard continues to write prequels it becomes somewhat more confusing which book to recommend to read first. Sharpe is a British lieutenant who rises from the ranks because of an act of bravery on the battlefield. He is not a gentleman and as such is often resented by his men or the other officers. This book takes place in the peninsular campaigns of Wellington against Napoleon’s marshals in Spain and Portugal.