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If you take your US tour in october - please come to LA!!! James Highfill
Bulletin Board
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Hi, I especially like historic novels and have been reading your books (and enjoying) for the last 15 years. Like most people the Warlord trilogy is my favourite series. This is just a quick note to say I really enjoy all your books and I am impressed at the time you take to repond to people. Long may you continue to produce entertaining and interesting books. All the Best, Geoff
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Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a frequent business traveller and years ago I read a newspaper review of The Winter King. Never one to be without a novel in case of a flight delay, I quickly picked up a copy...needless to say, the rest of the series was purchased asap in hardcover. I was thoroughly entranced by the detail of the story; the different perspective on the Arthurian tale, and the immense possibility that someone should write a screenplay for this trilogy...just awesome. I loved the detail and emotion which emanated from the shield wall to the the final battle (...the rings of metal in one's beard from a fallen foe's armor is intriguing, is that a documented practice of the era?). I certainly would have had a few pints of mead in my belly before a battle as you so describe. Since reading the Winter King trilogy, I've gone on to read almost everything you've written and am particularly fond of the Sharpe series. Your novels about the Peninsular War (and India) bring to life a piece of World History almost completely passed over in US history classes....sure, we know who Napolean is - but the rest ? -what a shame. Your work inspired me to also do some family research and I was fortunate to find a distant relation who had served at Waterloo: Wounded Royal Scots, third battalion Captain Robert Dudgeon, severely. 16 June 1815. This made actually seeing the French colours captured by the Scots Greys at Waterloo, displayed in Edinborough castle, extraordinarily noteworthy for me. Many thanks for some great literature...I eagerly await the 20th Sharpe novel. Regards, Kelly Dudgeon
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The rings of metal in the beard? I fear that is something I made up. I do appreciate your message.
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I have just finished reading Gallows Thief and found it one of the most enjoyable of all your books that I have so far read (all the Sharpe series and the grail Quest series) I wasn't able to put it down and go to sleep until 4am last night.... Looking forward to starting A Crowning Mercy tonight. thanks a million. Joe
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Just finished reading the Heretic. It was as usual, great. However, some of the swearing made me flinch. I realize that these characters are cold bloodthirsty killers, but to be afraid of God as they were, their language is direct blasphemy at best. It's hard to believe they would swear to god as they did in the Heretic. All that aside, keep it up. I can"t wait to see what Thomas does next. Yours truly, Sherwood Perkins
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Swearing has two sources, religious and you know what, and all the evidence suggests that blasphemy was extremely common. The French nickname for the English was 'les goddams' because of their propensity to say 'God damn'. Bloody is from 'by our lady'. That which we hold most dear makes for the most effective swear words, otherwise they would have no shock value, and our ancestors were just as foul-mouthed as modern soldiers.
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g,day sir. i have read most of your books including the Arthur books 3 times. I consider them the finest stuff I have read. Is there any art, prints or posters available on the characters and what would Derfel's shield look like? I think that might make an interesting tatoo. Cheers Cliff Collins
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I don't know of any - but I like the idea, thank you.
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Sir I had a friend who was able to get ahold of the entire series of movies based on your books. So we sat and watched the movies. I was very disappointed on how they bastardized your work. I guess I am a person who holds true to tradition and a faithful Sharpe fan. I was wondering how you felt about that? the worst in my opinion was Sharpe's siege since they cut out my favorite countryman - SSG E Stewart 2/75th Rangers
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I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed. As any writer would be - I was delighted to see my books made into films.
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Dear Mr Cornwell, Thank you for the wonderful hours of reading and discussion in our household. I have been discussing your books with my family for many years as my father, brother and sister were avid readers of Sharpe. Now, our children are reading your books, especially my son. He was introduced to the wonderful world of Bernard Cornwell at 12 yrs of age and has not stopped (he is 15 now). A request for birthdays and Christmas and even Easter is of course books I can find on Sharpe, he can't wait to read Heretic and I am searching for The Gallows Thief and Redcoat. He has a great fascination for history and battle strategies and therefore of course lives in bookshops and the library. Unfortunately, here in Australia we don't seem to have access to your recent releases until 6-12 months after they are released in the UK. After finding your website recently I was surprised to see that you do appearances with your new releases. Is there any chance at all you would be touring in Australia sometime in the future? You have a huge following here. Congratulations on the website, I have told all my family and friends and have just introduced another friend to the Grail Quest and Stonehenge. Kind Regards K Pattinson
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Australia is not on the schedule this year, but who knows? Perhaps someday soon I'll have the opportunity to tour there. When I do, I shall look forward to meeting you and your son. Many thanks for your message.
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Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a sergeant in the U.S. Army, and I just wanted to write to tell you how much I enjoy the Sharpe books. I have been reading them ever since I was introduced to them 2 years ago. I am delighted to say that I can scarcely read them fast enough to keep up with your new additions to the series. I also wanted to tell you how much I identify with Richard Sharpe's character. I have been serving in the Army since I was 17 years old, and I have recently been informed that I will be receiving a commission as a medical officer in just a few months when I start medical school. Will I suffer as much as Mr. Sharpe does, at the hands of my new peers? That remains to be seen, but I'd like to think that I won't. I hope my time in the ranks as a field artilleryman will be seen as an advantage, rather than a fault. In any case, keep up the good work and keep Mr. Sharpe marching! Sincerely, Grant H. Evans SGT, U.S. Army
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Congratulations! Terrific! Well done! I suspect you will be treated well by your fellow officers - the US army is very different from Sharpe's army (at least I hope it is), and my most fervent wish for you is that you get as many beautiful women as Sharpe.
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The first book I read from you was Excalibur. I usually don't read such books, however, I was drawn to the cover. It has become the first of many of your books that I have read in the last 4 years. The Warlord series are the only books I have read more than once. You have become one of my favourite writers. I am now reading Heretic. I enjoy your novels a lot and look forward to your future publications. Yin Mark