Copperhead

How is Nathaniel Starbuck like Richard Sharpe? Let me count the ways. Both are tall, lean and handsome. Both are instinctive soldiers and natural leaders whom others gravitate towards. Both have weaknesses for lovely women, particularly those of questionable reputations (whom Cornwell writes so well). Both find their commands jeopardized by selfish superiors caring more about glory than winning the war. Both have key allies - usually around the rank of major - who know what they're really worth. Both can withstand torture. And both will occasionally making daring forays into enemy territory on their own authority - in Starbuck's case, into Maryland to capture a supplies shipment, because he misses real coffee. (Starbuck's coffee?) There's also a trace of O'Brian's Jack Aubrey here. There are a few ways in which they differ. Starbuck comes from gentry, Sharpe from the gutter. Starbuck went to Yale, Sharpe learned how to read in an Indian prison. Starbuck, younger and the child of an evangelist, is more prone to attacks of religious conscience. (The more ruthless, invincible side of Sharpe is preserved by Cornwell in Thomas Truslow's character.) And both of them, when the chips are down, are willing to kill, and it doesn't always have to do with war. By the way, I was delighted to figure out the Sharpe-tied character in this one. He was introduced in the first Starbuck book, but I didn't pick up on it. Anyway, the second book continues this fine Civil War series. I continue to be impressed by Cornwell's ability to capture the 19th century American scene, its sights and smells and language and ways. The Civil War provides a fine playground for him, because it so readily allows the intrigue he wove so well into the Sharpe novels, as well as a certain ambiguity enhancing realism. It's hard to vilify either side when they all speak the same language, have the same religion, separated only by blue and gray battle lines moving back and forth over Virginia. The Yankees may be overconfident and oversupplied while having yet to prove they can fight, but the Rebels, as endearing as they may be as plucky underdogs, have some odious characters of their own, particularly the spymaster de'Ath and Washington Faulconer's new second-in-command, the vile Swynyard. (Cornwell overdoes the bad-guy names a bit in this one.) Disobeying orders, of course, Starbuck leads his men in a sudden maneuver turning the battle of Ball's Bluff - the Union's first real attempt on offense since the loss at Manassas - into a rout. But he is shortly relieved of his command as Faulconer returns to duty. Starbuck finds a government job in Richmond, putting him close to paramour Sally Truslow, now a high-class whore. Meanwhile his friend and Washington's son Adam Faulconer, disillusioned by the war's brutality and hoping to bring a quick end to the secession, starts spying for the North through Starbuck's brother James, briefly a Southern prisoner but now repatriated and attached

You have to love the hero, Starbuck, as he continues as a Yankee fighting for Virgina. The way that Cornwell developes his character Nate Starbuck, as with Sharpe in the Richard Sharpe series, is compelling. Starbuck is not a super hero, but a good man who occasionally does bad things, but more often takes the high road in his moral decisions and is a very effective warrior and leader. Starbuck is a guy you would love to have a beer with. Cornwell also developes anti-heros effectively, making them people you love to hate. As with all Bernard Cornwell novels - a great read.

`Copperhead' is the second in the `Starbuck Chronicles' and it provides the reader with all we have to come to expect from author Bernard Cornwell. If you know Cornwell's writing, this novel will not disappoint, similarly if you have never heard of the name, I would encourage you make his acquaintance. During the Civil War a Copperhead was generally held to be a Northerner who sympathised with the Southern cause. Within the pages of this book, although he is the son of a Boston abolitionist minister, Nathaniel Starbuck fights for the South. If you know your Civil War history - and that is no way a requirement for this novel - the action depicted within the pages of `Copperhead' takes us from Ball's Bluff near Leesburg in Virginia to Gaines Mill close to Richmond. However, the main part of the novel takes Starbuck away from the battlefield and into the arena of espionage and deceit. The book also gives us an insight into the insecurities of the Northern generals, in particular McClellan and his `spymaster' Allan Pinkerton.There is no doubt that in Nate Starbuck, Cornwell attempts to create the heroics of Richard Sharpe (for those who don't know, Cornwell has written a whole clutch of novels about English rifleman Richard Sharpe who served both in India and the Napoleonic Wars). To some extend he has succeeded in this, although at times `Copperhead' lacks the pace of some of the Sharpe novels. Nevertheless, I enjoyed `Copperhead', it is in the main well written and informative and is without a doubt an entertaining read.As a point of interest, although I'd recommend the reader to work his/her way through the series in order, it is not vital that you do this as each novel is self-contained.

"Adam is right. War does change us."I cannot rate this book without talking about the brilliance of the whole series. Cornwell takes you from your reading room, and teleports you back to a simpler time. And you find out that it's not so simple. Set against the backdrop of the Eastern Theatre in the American Civil War, he portrays the massive carnage and greatest bravery in minute detail. You actually hear the cannons, and smell the rotting flesh of the wounded. Yet, the main plot does not take place amongst the gunfire outside. But, rather, within. It is a story of a soul, and his struggle with God, man, who he is, and what he stands for. Amidst the shouting, crying, blasting, and dieing...is a poor heart, searching for peace. I found Cornwell's protrayal of Nate Starbuck to be no less than perfect. I found myself rooting, questioning, hoping, and praying for this fictional character. For, I saw myself in Nate. The same questions, fears, and desires. When done, I walked away from this story with a different outlook on life, liberty, and what's truly important. As will you.