Sharpe's Rifles 
  Book 
                In the bitter winter of 1809 the French are winning the war
                  in Spain and Britain's forces are retreating towards Corunna,
                  with Napoleon's victorious armies in pursuit. Lieutenant Richard
                  Sharpe and a detachment of Riflemen are cut off from the British
                  army and surrounded by enemy troops. Their only hope of escape
                  is to accept the help of an unlikely ally, a Spanish cavalry
                  officer, Major Blas Vivar.
                Unknown to Sharpe, the Spaniard harbours a desperate and quixotic
                  ambition which will lead to a suicidal assault on the holy
                  city of Santiago de Compastela and a savage fight against overwhelming
                  French numbers. Sharpe's determination must be tested to its
                  limit if victory is to be snatched from disaster.