Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I just wanted to say thank you as I thoroughly enjoyed "Fools and Mortals." I've read most of the books you have written over the years and I always look forward to your usual yearly announcement of a new title every year or so.

So naturally when I saw that your website hasn't been updated with a new title in the works I got a little worried. I understand that I can read them faster than you can write them and that cannot, unfortunately,  be helped.   I just want to say that for the past decade I have traveled on the subway to work and back and when I am reading your books instead of being transported slowly to Brooklyn and back, I get transported all too quickly to Stonehenge, the middle ages, the birth of England, and the Napoleonic wars and all the other places you have written about. It has made for an absorbing ride and I cannot tell you how much I look forward to riding the subway when I am reading one of your books.

Thanks very much!

Joel

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I understand it would be really challenging, I imagine, to write the conclusion to the Starbuck series.

But if there ever was a perfect time to bring it to a conclusion, now would be that time.

Our country is getting more and more divided.  (I think the division is still based on race and class.)

I was hoping your skills could be used to help Nathan Starbuck and Patrick Lassan find a way forward.

Cheers and Love,

Stefan Schrichte (30 yr. fan)

So finished Waterloo and now on Rebel.

Man alive if Nate Starbuck is not a "self insert" - theology degree! Overpowering, fierce, Calvinist Father.

I think I probably as a bible preaching, Calvinist (Charismatic) Pastor get all your biblical illustrations and quotations more than most readers. Which may be why I read a book of yours approx every 10 days!

Anyhow : "Jesus love you" if you ever want to chat about that I am at Open Door Church Sunbury!

Brilliant books! Love them, am going to be lost when I run out of ones to read!

But thankfully brother I was lost but now am found!!

And you got a theology degree!

You must have gone through some really horrible crap - I ashamed that Jesus followers could do that- it has not been my experience of the church of my faith - rubbish.

Andy Phillips

Hi Mr. Cornwell!

I recently started reading The Last Kingdom and I absolutely love every book. Honestly, I saw the show prior to starting to read the books and I was concerned they would be too similar/not as shocking but I was happily disappointed with that expectation! I'm on book four now (I was expecting just three!) and couldn't be more satisfied with them. I feel that the books have so much more depth than the show! For example, I was recently rewatching the show a bit and I noticed in the intro song, they show the map being burned from north to south as the Danes progress southward. At this point in the series, I feel like it's the exact opposite! Uhtred just went south to Mercia to save Aethelflaed and I was so torn! Ragnar had welcomed him as a brother and he was accepted among the Danes just to be emotionally forced back to England's aid before England even really existed! In addition to that, I find Uhtred's view of the God's/God very refreshing and innovative. I really just love how you manage to show both points of view so clearly, especially with the varying religious aspects and the like. I also read Redcoat and the first 2 Warlord Chronicles, I'm just waiting for Excalibur to be returned to my local library. Anyway, sorry to be quite so verbose, I'm sure your busy writing more amazing books! I have loved every single book I've read that you have authored and I can't wait to read more!

Have a great day and thanks so much for your work, it's truly suspenseful and thrilling.

Patrick Ownbey

I have never written to an author before but wanted to send a short message to say how much I enjoyed Fools and Mortals - what a wonderful book!  I have read many of your books and always enjoyed them, but this one is so different and rather special.  Though I thought I knew the subject matter pretty well, you brought it to life quite beautifully and I learned much that I didn’t know. I very much hope you will continue to explore new subjects like this - you write so very well.  No need to reply, unless you want to.

Kind regards,

Nick Harrison

I just finished Fools and Mortals and it is one of the best books I have ever read.  I have been a player (college plays, local TV, standup, and several indie movies that go straight to DVD.  You absolutely captured the feeling of performing and I loved it.  I also found the Sharpe novels and the Saxon Tales to be wonderful and well written.  I am a big history buff and realy liked the historical accuracy.  I did 6 seasons as a reenactor at a fort replica set in 1816.  This was Fort Wayne, where I live.  The fort has great history.  I played an alcoholic Irish ex-soldier.and since Irish folk music is a passion, I got to perform songs of the era.Again, thank you so much for your work.  My mother would have loved Fools and Mortals as she taught High School English and was a big Shakespeare fan.  Looking forward to your next books as I know I will enjoy them very much.  Thanks you for the great tales!

Richard Lafferty

Bernard,

I'm sure you get messages like this all the time but I would feel guilty if I didn't let you know how much I appreciate what you do.

I discovered you in the early/mid eighties (in the library, seeing the spine of the book and excitedly saying to myself, “That's a 95th Rifleman!” before pulling the 3 or 4 Sharpe originals off the shelf) and have eagerly devoured everything you have done since then! After a quick check on Wiki you are on 57 books to date. A little bit of maths here. 57 books, let's call it 300 pages per book, let's call that 5 hours reading per book. I confess I have probably read and re-read your books an average of 6 times. That's 57x5x6=1710 hours of pure pleasure. Thank you!

You really have taken historical fiction to a new level of excellence. Other authors in the genre make basic errors that make me want to cry. You? Never. (or hardly ever, the only one I remember offhand is the “Voltigeurs have red epaulettes”). As a lifelong student of military history I reckon you are the only author of historical fiction who seems to understand the art/tragedy/reality etc of historical battles. Be it Saxon, 100YW, Napoleonic, ACW or anything else. Your interpretations of the strategy and tactics behind Peninsula battles (with a little bit of dramatic licence to put Sharpy in the right place) is masterful. Equally, casting Uhtred (my favourite of your characters btw) as a Saxon general displaying Napoleonic strategic brilliance.

And regards Uhtred's generalship – the way you do it is believable. It is obvious to readers of the original sources that you have read the same original sources as we have – and you understand shieldwall. When you deviate or invent from these, you explain yourself. As a historical novelist that is almost unique (I have to qualify my comment with 'almost' because I cannot claim to have researched it fully!). Most authors of historical fiction (or similar time period fantasy) have real problems with the lack of communication in ancient times and usually resort to sorcery/dreams/time travel/carrier pigeon….........  well I don't need to tell you about the failings of your contemporaries.

Dale

PS Just to square things, I thought the recent Shakespeare novel was terrible!

Stonehenge -

I brought this book seeing the reviews were not as good as others. However I enjoyed the book very much again thank you. Derwynn reminded me of Nimue and throughout you quote the Bible - "If a man does not work he does not eat" - but then you, like me, have a degree in Christian Theology!

Now onto "Waterloo"

Andy Phillips

Fools and Mortals -

What a wonderful surprise! Thank you for a very engaging and entertaining story. The filth and desperation of life for the common folk in 16th century London came through so graphically and convincingly. I suspect you have a special affection for Mid Summer Night’s Dream. I’m going to keep my eyes open for someone performing this so I can see it with new eyes.

Thanks again for this wonderful book!

Scott Francis

I have just recently put down Sharpe's Tiger. In the epilogue I read that you had been in Belfast with the BBC.  In 1979. Jimmy and Patricia Hawthorne were friends of my wife Mary and guardians to my boarding children during my absences for work.

My sister (in Ballymena) has a 100 guinea sword given to Barry Close by the London company of Goldsmilths to commemorate his part in the battle of Seringapatam in 1799. Barry was a colonel in the EIC and retired as Major General. Check on Wikipedia. An interesting character born in Armagh linguist in persian etc. It is said in the blurb that you are fond of Ireland. Look us up if you are in Ireland and interested.

Best Regards

Jim Quinn Kinnaird

House Caledon