Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Thank you. Thank you for inspiring me to read historical fiction and be able to write my own stories. I have a deep passion for history. From Medieval history to Chinese history, Roman History to American history and lastly the history of Japan. I love learning about history and reading history. I remember in my sophomore year of high school that my uncle gave me one of your books called Agincourt. I didn't know what to expect at first, but after reading a few pages, I was instantly hooked.  Since then I have been reading the Starbuck Chronicles, 1356, The Fort and now book five of the Last Kingdom saga. Reading your books has inspired me to read other historical fiction by authors such as Alan Smale, Katherine Ashe, David Gibbins, and Valerio Massimo Manfredi. It has also inspired me to take up writing and create my works of historical fiction. Though I am an amateur writer, reading your stories have helped me better understand the use of combining historical facts with fictional elements to help make the story flow properly, but not losing sight of its historical roots.Once I have finished writing them, I plan to get them published.  When that happens I hope you get a chance to read them.

Again, thank you for these stories you have written, stories that many of us find fascinating and enjoyable. I wish you the very best on the Last Kingdom saga and the BBC series. Hopefully, I get a chance to meet you and thank you in person.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year,

Gabriel Garcia

Dear Mr Cornwell

I wanted to send you a quick note to say that I have just finished all 10 novels in the Last Kingdom Series back to back. I was mesmerised by them and couldn't put them down. Uhtred is such a wonder character and I'm desperate to read about his next adventures. I love history and you’ve now given me a new period in our countries history to further read about. Thank you for keeping me entertained for the last couple of months.

Regards

Steve Beaton

 

Just finished viewing the "Last Kingdom" t.v. series. While I found it entertaining, I fear that it was a pale reflection on the excellent books that you wrote.  I do hope that future t.v. series (if any) stays a lot closer to the stories and chronological order..

Best wishes

A Dormer

I love historical fiction but as a busy mom and college student am out of the loop. I did, eventually, discover you through the TV show. As I came upon a much needed break from school I started reading the Arthur books... Well, thank you. You have a skill and talent for what you do. Maybe it's sad to say this, yet it is true... You have ripped me from my distractions and technologies and brought me back to reality. You have mastered the art of taking real life history and making it real life. For one, the first book wraps up eternal politics perfectly... Yes, even our "civilized" politics.  And, in my humble opinion, Derfel outshines Arthur, Galahad, and even Lancelot in a romantic view. The people, problems and truths have not changed. So, again, thank you for taking this homeschooling, home bound, fervent student to another world... The real one, the world we try to ignore or put in our past. You are the Merlin of your skill.

Jamie

Greetings from MONTANA!

I am a '62' year old Grandmother who loves history.  A few weeks ago I watched on Netflix The Last Kingdom.  I saved the last episode just because I did not want it to end.  Then discovered your books!  Bought 4 only to realize there are 10.  Currently I am slowly reading The Flame Bearer.  I don't want it to end!  But I hear there is a season 2 for The Last Kingdom so that is encouraging.  In all honesty I have never enjoyed a series or author as much as you.  Sharon Kay Penman has dropped to second place!  THANK YOU for what you do to bring we readers and history lovers such pleasure.  Your talent is amazing!

SINCERELY,

Janice Stewart

BEST WISHES FOR 2017!

Mr. Cornwell,

I am sorry so many people apparently want something from you that the message was necessary.

I want nothing but to express my gratitude to you for The Saxon Tales. I have loved every minute of the adventure!  I felt myself as a fly on an ancient wall as the saga unfolded. I fell into the story as if I were there. It has been an absolutely wonderful escape.

I think my next trip will be The Grail Quest, and I am confident I will not be disappointed in my travels.

Thank you!!!

Cindy Sommer

I bet you get requests like this all the time but I would dearly love to read the rest of Nate Starbuck's story and discover the ultimate fate of the Faulkner Legion in the War between the States. I have been a fan of your novels for many, many years.I actually moved to your novels thru the novels of David Gemmel (some leap, right!) I was into Dungeons and Dragons as a youngster and David Gemmel's battle scenes especially the Nadir's great assault against Dros Delnoch actually seized me like nothing I had ever read. Someone suggested that your battle scenes were even more realistic and blood curdling. They were right and I discovered Sharpe. To quickly find you had written your own take on the Arthurian legend was balm to my soul. Not to flatter but I believe you to have been the most influential author of my formative literary years. I have been a lover of historical fiction (especially the adventurous sort) ever since. Sharon Penman, Newt Gingrich, George MacDonald Fraser (I absolutely adore Flashman, along with Richard Sharpe and Roland of Gilead they are my literary heroes) and many others but I have always retained my soft spot for your characters. When a reader gets to know a character as well as one can get to know Sharpe the afterthought (if you like) novels are sometimes the most welcome. I sadly thought we had seen the end of Sharpe after his adventures in South America and the end of the Napoleonic Wars. I was honestly over joyed when I saw Sharpes Tiger, in fact for me the Indian novels of the series, the prequels I guess were some of the best. It may be just the nostalgia having thought the story over but whatever the reason I always thing of the Indian novels when I think of Sharpe now. I have recently taken to listening to the Audible versions of the Sharpe novels now the Starbuck Chronicles. In the case of Nate and his story you don't need to look for more scenario's they are already there. I assumed it would follow the one or two battles per novel model throughout the glorious history of the fabled Army of Northern Virgina, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and all the way through to the dreadful onslaught of the Wilderness and the dismal siege of Petersburg. His story is crying out to be told and I have tears in my eyes asking, hoping for his return. Whatever the outcome of my request I wish you a merry Xmas, a happy New Year and I thank you for many many hours of excitement, suspense and drama throughout the last 35yrs. Keep up the good work.

Yours Sincerely

Stuart.

Yee Haa

 

Thank you for another great story about Uhtred in The Flame Bearer. I'm an Anglophile and have loved your novels about Arthur in the Warlord Chronicles and Uhtred in the Saxon ones. I can't wait for your next novel in the latter series:)!

Kudos to you for making history come alive!

Regards,

Mark

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Just wanted to wish you and your family all the very best for Christmas. I am a massive fan of your work, but weirdly I have only just got into Sharpe books. I think I have read everything else you have written but always resisted Sharpe (I think it has always been to much of a commitment!)  I am off to buy some more - my girlfriend just described my shopping plans as a, "shit load of Sharpe." Excuse the language, she is a bit of a potty mouth.

Anyway, all the very best and thank you for all your wonderful work.

Michael

Just retired and now pursuing some my reading goals. I have started the reread of Uhtred in chronological order.  Sharpe is next.

I truly enjoy your books and I hope to tell you in person some day.

Guy Armstrong

PS .. not unfriendly at all