Bulletin Board

Q

I have just read the Grail Quest books and thought they were amongst the best books i have ever read. Thomas of Hookton is a superb character and i very much hope that he will be back in futher books!!! Keep writing. Mr S Geldart

Submitted March 5, 2004

Q

Re Sharpe's Fortress, your description of Sharpe's discomfort as an officer is dead on accurate. After 5 years as an enlisted soldier I received a direct appointment to first lieutenant in the JAG corps. Although I stayed in the National Guard for over 30 years and retired as a colonel, I always felt like an impostor, just like Sharpe in your book. I enjoy your work. Jim McBride

Submitted March 5, 2004

Q

I've read almost all your books, most of them in original language (here in Italy the Sharpe's still an ensign in India) and of course I'm one of those that are wondering where the hell Nathaniel has gone... Anyway my purpose is not to annoy you with already-asked questions. I just wanted to compliment you for your history knowledge (I'm also a little bit envious of it) and for your narration style. I'm engaged in "Vagabond" now and I find it great, as usual. I'm only waiting for a series in WWII. England fought in all theatres of operations and I think you should have plenty of material not for 20 but for 200 books! Tally ho, Bernard! Regards Eros Pittacolo

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

Sorry, but I don't plan any WWII books - or anything in the 20th century. I prefer to stick with older history.

Q

Surely you haven't finished the Starbuck series. These were the best of a great collection. Bert Connell

Submitted March 5, 2004

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell: So many times I've read or seen a good story and never got to thank the author. I love a good action story but the choice of Sean Bean for the title role of Sharpe was great. I hope he will do more. Thank you and keep em coming. I will look forward to the next installment on PBS or History channel. Yours truly Barbara

Submitted March 5, 2004

Q

I have throughly enjoyed all of your novels, especially the Arthur Books. I'm curious, as to your personal religious beliefs and how they have influenced your writings, if at all. Robert Auskalnis

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

They do, indeed they do, but I'm not going to say how! On the one hand you have the anti-Christian bias of much of the Arthur books (and, indeed, of the new book set in Alfred's Wessex), but I also enjoyed describing the Christian conversion of Swynyard in the American Civil War books. I think I'm playing both sides of the table, but I will confess to a fascination with religion.

Q

Thankyou for many hours of enjoyable reading. I look forward to having Vagabond and Heretic signed as well. Malcolm Robinson

Submitted March 5, 2004

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell, >From browsing your site I read that you had talked about the idea of making the Warlord Chronicles into films. I just wanted to let you know that for a long time now myself and my husband have been saying how well they could be adapted. So far there has been nothing memorable done in terms of films/TV with the Arthurian legends, and your books are by far the most credible, interesting and relatable versions of the tale out there! Please please consider adapting them for screenplay. P.S) unfortunately a big budget Arthur movie is being filmed at the moment, I've seen some footage and I'm pretty sure it's going to suck! Clare-Marie Gosse

Submitted March 5, 2004

Q

Dear Bernard, just a note to say that after taking your recommendations I bought and read both Sears Gates of Richmond (Kind of interesting to think how the US Civil would have turned out differently if McClellan had taken Porter's advice and counter attacked at Malvern Hill) and Pagets Wellington's battlefields. Both excellent books and I can see why you used them. On a counter I can really recommend To the North Anna river Grant and Lee May 13-25 1864 by Gordorn C Rhea the book about probably the least famous of their fights in the 40 days. And Redcoats and Greyjackets by Donald Graves about the battle of Chippwea. (Struck by how rather Sharpe like characters both Thomas Pearson and John Nortorn are). P.S Will the next Sharpe book (after Escape) be about Albuera and skip Barossa cause it seems a bit absurd for even Sharpe to get to there besides which it is a lot less dramatic engagement than the Blood bath at Albuera which as one historian said seems rather tragic since they still could not capture Badajoz and had to wait until next year and all those men died for nothing .
Geriant

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

Thanks for your recommendations. I don't know what the next Sharpe book will be - after Sharpe's Escape - which is Busaco, Coimbra and the Lines of Torres Vedras. I probably won't write it till next year which means I don't have to start thinking about it for a few months, but I note your comments!

Q

I have to start by saying thank you! it is an over used expression but it means some thing. I truly enjoyed The WarLord Chronicles. They are what started me reading books. I do historic re-enactment and I find your books so correct and accurate. I have been urged to write short stories set in the Iron age as I'm dyslexic it is a little harder but I love it so much. Thank you for the wonderful words. Keep writing. Best Wishes Liam Aggett

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

Thanks Liam. Best of luck with your writing!