Bulletin Board

Mr. Cornwell, I saw this recent Q&A: "Q: I had my wife write the following quote from one of your books and can't remember which it came from: "Reason is the mathematics of thinking, nothing more. You don't live your life by such dry disciplines. Mathematics cannot explain God, no more can reason, and I believe in God! Without Him we are no more than corruption." Yates C. Greer A: I wrote that? Honestly, I don't remember. Maybe someone else can? I have a suspicion someone else wrote it." I recognized this quote immediately because it is from my favorite Sharpe book and spoken by my favorite character (after Sharpe and Harper). The book is Sharpe's Rifles, and the speaker is, of course, Don Blas Vivar. Duncan

Dear Bernard: I'm sure others have said the same but in answer to a recent question you were unsure of, "Reason is the mathematics of thinking, nothing more. You don't live your life by such dry disciplines. Mathematics cannot explain God, no more can reason, and I believe in God! Without Him we are no more than corruption." is spoken by Blas Vivar In Sharpe's Rifles when he learns that Sharpe is a non believer. Keep up the good work. I'm always looking forward to your next book.

Patrick Petrelli

Hello Mr Cornwell, This is really a repeat of part of a letter I sent to you recently via HarperCollins before I realised you had a website & point of contact. I have just finished, and thoroughly enjoyed, AZINCOURT - the everyday details of the lives of your characters always make your stories so believable & readable. If I may could I just comment on three minor points in your historical notes section. The reference to the image of you on the previous page (showing your prowess as an archer!)refers to the battle having been fought on 25th October 1414 - probably just a proof reading error. You also mention how remarkable it is that the fame of this long fought battle should be remembered almost seven hundred years after the event - this should probably read six hundred years. You also mention that Agincourt was fought long before the advent of the Christian calender & the modern anniversary ought to be celebrated on 4th November. Actually it should be November 5th. An eighth century monk, the Venerable Bede, discovered that a year was actually almost twelve minutes longer than had actually been thought but it was not until Pope Gregory XII declared in 1582 that a new Gregorian calender would be used that the anomaly was corrected. However it was not until the eighteenth century that the British Government decided to adopt the Gregorian calender by which time the discrepancy had increased to eleven days & September 3rd 1752 was decreed to be September 14th. Incidentally there was widespread disquiet at this as many of the population felt the government had "robbed" them of eleven days of their lives! These minor matters in no way detract from an excellent novel and I very much look forward to your next book. With kind regards Chris Allen

Dear Mr Cornwell On discovering your website I have read the faqs from several years ago. I first discovered Sharpe via the films starring Sean Bean (whom I love and makes a marvellous Sharpe despite not being tall and dark) but read all the books,lent to me by a work colleague and enjoyed them immensely. Now I have retired I have started to collect the Sharpe books and also have the film series. I have just read the Arthurian Trilogy which I loved and can understand why they are your favourites. I must admit, though, that Sharpe is my favourite with Starbuck a close second. Can you please confirm you will, at some stage, continue with the Chronicles as it is now some years since you wrote the last one and I want to know what is going to happen to him and Patrick Lassan. I am excited that a new Saxon story is out soon as I love them too. I feel that although 60 years old now I could still make a good attempt to load a musket (I don't think I could manage 3 or 4 rounds a minute though - whatever the weather!). Sadly I feel a shield wall would be beyond me though. I recently read Sharpe's story and admire you even more now. Thank you for all your wonderful books. Sue Aubrey Garstang Preston Lancashire P.S. If a new series of Sharpe is to be considered can I suggest Richard Armitage for the part as he is tall, dark and a good actor.

Hello Mr. Cornwell I am a fan of your books, reading them brings a very vivid imagination as to what it must have been like to have lived the lives of these men. Please do not stop as I am entirely addicted to your writing! Joseph

Dear Mr. Cornwell: Just a note of thanks to you for the hours of enjoyable reading you have given me. I have finished The Arthur Books, Stonehenge, & Agincourt. I look forward to beginning The Saxon Stories this weekend. Thanks again.

Joseph Cummings

Dear Mr Cornwell, Danielle from Brazil asked why the Celtic Knot is on so many Thors hammers in museums, the answer is because the so called Celtic Knot is not actually Celtic it is a pattern from the Germanic world.I hope this helps.

Elizabeth Miller

Dear Mr Cornwell, Thank you SO very much for Entertainment, History, Philosophy, and so much more. I saw a few minutes of a Sharpe film, just having finished reading the Hornblower series, and I said "wow, Hornblower on land, but totally excellent in its own right!" And then by an unnatural coincidence, my wife saw a gentleman reading a Sharpe book on the train, and he was kind enough to offer her a duplicate copy he had of Sharpe's Tiger. And so I was off! (He was rich, had a Lordship and...nonononono) I've just finished the series (well, I have Devil and the small books, but the major attack is over). I have kept certain ones out of my library, for quick reference for study: such wonderful style, a combo of so much. I am also amazed at how you wrote them out of sequence but they meld perfectly! Yes, you are the one creating things, but you wrote yourself into corners and got out of them. (I read them in Universe sequence and keep thinking you had a time machine or really wrote them chronologically and just published them in mixed up order - too technically perfect!) Azincourt is my favourite of your work, but I still have much to enjoy. I'm a Yank who married an Australian girl, yet it turns out I lived not 25 minutes from You...I was born and raised on Cape Cod, living in Osterville, Centerville, and Yarmouth. An avid reader of Everything, I'm stunned I knew nothing of your work until I went halfway around the world. Your transition to Novelist is inspiring, too. Really, all I can say is Wow and Thank You. Fortunately I have more of your books to enjoy. Wishing you all the best (and plenty of inspiration for more)... Best, Wink

I love audio books and first knew of your writing (besides the Sharpe Series) through 'The Last Kingdom'. I had this on cassette form and played it until it was too tired to go on any longer. I then turned to the same in audio cd. Although I have an extensive library of audio cds I never fail to return again, and again, to your Saxon stories. I am eagerly awaiting a pre-ordered copy of 'The Burning Land', to complete this set. I listen to your stories as I work around the house and, especially, when I am driving, to and from work. I never tire of them, and the pleasure of listening to them is always with me. At the moment I am listening to Azincourt and it is excellent! I am quite a difficult person to please, and have a few stories, by other authors, on a similar (yet not!)vein. In my opinion your talent for writing far outweighs these others and long may you continue to grace us with this talent. Take care and best wishes!

Liz Lang

I just finished the Last Kingdom and wanted to say how wonderful it was. It was a fantastic read and I can't wait to start the Pale Horseman. This was my first historical novel I've read. If it doesn't have elfs and wizards or giant spaceships I usually don't read it but I think I have a new book to add to my favorites. Thank you.
Nick Reynolds

Dear Mr Cornwell, I'm a budding historical novelist myself, and a huge fan of your work, but I nearly fell off my chair when I was browsing this site today and I came across a comment from one of your readers who had read my first book 'Outlaw' (a novel about Robin Hood) but who seemed to think that YOU had written it. Of course, you naturally denied it. But I have to say I am extremely flattered by the comparison. I've loved your books and read and reread them for twenty years or more, and I do try to emulate your wonderful style, but to be mistaken for the Master himself that is praise indeed. Anyway, more power to your fingertips. I'm looking forward to reading The Burning Land. Best wishes, Angus Donald