Bulletin Board

Mr. Cornwell, I suppose I've read a few thousand books, but never felt sufficiently moved to write a note to any of their authors. The exception is C.S. Forester, who was dead before I ever started reading his books and so denied me the opportunity to thank him for creating Horatio Hornblower. In any event, I am reading the Sharpe novels now and wanted you to know that I am enjoying them in the same way I enjoyed Hornblower the first time around. A great character, wonderfully rendered. Thank you. Fred Jacobs

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I very much enjoyed your book "Gallow's Thief." I hope that you continue the characters in a series. Sincerely, B. Mayberry

My first book I read of yours was Stonehenge. Since then I have read every book, but NOT one Sharpe novel. That must be a first for a BC reader. The reason I have never started reading "Sharpe" is the fact that there are so many, and Sean Bean would be forever in my head as the lead role. Anyway, I am little bit pissed on Jack Daniels and would like to say thanks for bringing me back to reading. Rgds Wayne

Damn you, you prolific bastard! I love your books. I've read the Arthurian stuff, the Archer stuff, and about half the Sharpe stuff. I have a job and a girlfriend and I hope I can keep both and still enjoy your work. I start a Sharpe with dinner and finish it about midnight. So far Derfel is my favorite character. Please keep up the work. You do it so well. If you make it to Seattle, I'll try to come out and join the queue. thanks, Jon

You have taken me into the world of Thomas, a very likeable character if not a times naive, the two Grail Quest books I have read have made me hungry for the third. You are an outstanding storyteller. Donna Cameron

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

Again, my compliments for your Sharpe's historical work!!! Please permit me to submit two probable battles for your brainchild--Sharpe == Maida in Italy // Rolica in Portugal. Again congratulations. G. A. Margaritis, chemical engineer N.T.U.A.

Hi! I'm a Spaniard from Santiago de Compostela, and came to England to work abroad for a couple of years. I'm living now in Birmingham, and one of the guys from my workplace have just lend me a copy of "Sharpe's Rifles" when I told him I was from Galicia. I've just finished the book, and I'm very impressed with it; I was very enjoyable to follow all of Sharpe's adventures through Spain, and specially Galicia and my hometown, Santiago. I've recognized all the places you described, many of them where I'd use to play as a child, or streets I've gone through countless times. I was living in the old town of Santiago, just in front of San Martin's square, north of the cathedral. Not only that, but my parents were originally from a village in the Ulla valley!. I also liked very much the way you describe the Galician people and traditions, so accurately. For all that, and and such a very enjoyable historical book, thank you very much!, and you can count me as one of your loyal fans! Jos

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

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