Bulletin Board

Dear Bernard, Just finished your excellent 'The Fort', despite being interested in the subject, never heard of this action before. I did not notice that you mentioned that HMS Raisonable was the first ship of one Midshipman Horatio Nelson. Best Regards, Roger

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I would like to thank you for the exquisite pleasure that your books have given me over the years. I now own nearly, if not absolutely, all of your novels, and I have never once regretted the lack of space on my shelves. As rare as it is to find a book with a truly original and compelling plot, it is equally rare to find such a book with flawless historical accuracy, as well. I am now a post-graduate student at the University of Kent, obtaining an MA in Mediaeval and Early Modern Studies due largely to the interest you inspired in me through your many novels. In my senior year of undergraduate studies, I wrote a paper examining your historical accuracy in describing the nautical aspects of Northmen, and as I expected, nothing was found wanting. As both a scholar and an aspiring writer, you have inspired me like no other author, and I thank you deeply. I dearly hope to one day have the privilege of meeting you or at least hearing one of your seminars. Your work is greatly appreciated. Yours faithfully, Jon-Mark Grussenmeyer

Hi there - just confirming your suspicions about the Maine/M*A*S*H connection! The author (Richard Hornberger) of the original M*A*S*H book was born in New Jersey, but went to college in Maine and later settled there. The character of "Hawkeye" Pierce was also from Maine, and indeed the 2nd M*A*S*H book was "M*A*S*H Goes to Maine". So a strong link to the area to be sure.

Phil Dean

When you are invited to the Tucson Festival of Books (4th Largest in US) please come. I'm sure you have, or will be asked asked! It is held in the spring, so it's not quite as hot as it can be in Arizona summer. It would really cool to meet you and hear you speak.

Deborah McGeary

Mr. Cornwell, you and your work are brilliant. Thank you for such a large and entertaining body of work. As a teacher I encourage my students to read historical fiction (such as The Fort) to get a flavour of the various periods of history. I know it has been mentioned in the past but after reading Sharpe and The Fort I can think of no other author more suited to compose a novel of historical fiction set during the War of 1812. Specifically the Battle of Stoney Creek. Your talents would be most valuable to its treatment and I am sure Mr. Berton would be pleased with your efforts. Cheers N. Shaw

Hi Bernard I've been a big fan of yours for 20 years now. I love reading your books and have now moved onto one of these new fangled e-readers as we are running out of space at home as both my wife and I are avid readers. I'd like to urge/plead with you to write more about Starbuck as these are my favourites. I'm currently re-reading them for the umpteenth time and still thoroughly enjoy them. Keep up the great work, best wishes Martin

Hello Mr Cornwell, I enjoy your books immensely, I've just finished the fort, I couldn't put it down. I've only got one question, How do you find the time to carry out such in depth research, and still find the time to write great novels. you must be permanently on the go. Brian Kenderdine

Dear Mr Cornwell. I just wanted to respond to you, and to Susan, whose email was posted on your site on the 11th August 2011 about recommendations for novels set at the time of the departure of the Romans from Britain. One of my favourite historical novelists (who wrote almost exclusively about Roman Britain) is Rosemary Sutcliff, and although she is nominally a children's author, her books have enough depth and subtlety to appeal to any adult reader. The two novels that deal with this period are 'Dawn Wind' which is about Owen, a Romano-British boy, and the arrival of the Saxons; and 'The Lantern Bearers' which won the Carnegie Medal. This begins with Aquila, a Romano-British soldier, who deserts when his regiment are recalled to Rome and ends with the training of the future King Arthur. The latter is the third in a trilogy which begins with 'The Eagle of the Ninth' but all the novels can be read as stand-alone stories. I hope you read and enjoy them - a whole host of pleasure awaits if you've never read any Rosemary Sutcliff! Thank you for the new Sharpes, am now filling in the gaps since I last read the series. Regards, Lucy

One recent fan's question referred to authors who treated the Roman Occupation. Rosemary Sutcliff wrote a number of excellent novels about the period. Have you read her Arthur story; Sword at Sunset? Still one of my all time faves. I've been a fan of your work for decades. Thank you!

Mark Nelson

Hello Mr. Cornwell I am writing this from Afghanistan and I wanted to say that I am once again re-reading the Arthur series that you wrote a while back now. I have read not all but most of your books and have to say that I can't even try to read another authors book because of the joy I have reading yours. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your hard work and dedication you take to write these books, because after I read the Arthur series the first time I felt like I lost some really good friends of mine! Your books really do take me out of this country and places me in the book and I feel am breathing the same air that Derfel is breathing! Thank you so much once again and hope that this email from someone you don't even know shows how much I appreciate your hard work. Bests SPC Erlewein, Adam US. ARMY 10th Mountain DIV

dear Bernard, I was bought for my birthday your book Azincourt,which I couldn't put down and am already planning to read again.It makes you feel proud to be English(with some Irish,Welsh and a hint of Spanish thrown in).In my local bookshop your section is the one I head for first, although I have read the majority of Sharpe,the Arthur books(the once and future king)and the Grail Quest books I like to browse through and refresh my memory of the stories.I once again would like to praise your book Azincourt.I look forward to reading The Fort. Yours Sincerely Paul Howarth