Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Yes! Thanks so much that you have another book in the Saxon Chronicles coming out ("The Burning Land".) I will not wait for the American edition in January, but will preorder the British edition for October. Unlike most of your other readers, I enjoyed "Agincourt", but it wasn't high on my list of favorites among your books (and I have read them all, and have all your DVD's. My favorites among your heroes are Sharpe, Uhtred, Starbuck, and, of course Derfel. from the Arthur books. Again, I congratulate you on your great grasp of history, your mastery of action writing, and your many great character creations! Sincerely, Elizabeth Kaufman

To Neil Cox, who in a June 19th posting is looking for a novel on the battle of Hastings: Read "Housecarl" by Laurence J. Brown! The hero is Ranulf, a member of Harold Godwineson's elite bodyguard. I almost felt like I was holding a Cornwell novel while I read it. The second Ranulf novel, "Cold Heart, Cruel Hand" deals with the resistance of Hereward the Wake and is just as good! More books in the series are planned. Alan Kempner

Hi Bernard, I picked up Agincourt in December on a lark and a Christmas gift card (I had not heard of you before, my mistake!) and am now halfway through the Sharpe series, completed the Grail Quest and Saxon books, and am now waiting impatiently for the Sacramento library to transfer the remainder of the Sharpe series to my branch (I would buy them, but my wife is pregnant and every penny helps). Needless to say I have become addicted to your books. Just wanted to say thanks for the great works!

Kevin Peth

Mr. Cornwell, I have been collecting your books and series for many years and have read and reread them all several times over. There is always so much more depth, so many more layers to discover after the plots are known and familiar to me. Unlike other authors whose series I enjoy, you never lose continuity or simple character descriptions. For example, I have encountered in others different hair and eye color and even names from one book to its sequel in other authors, but never you! Sometimes I have to wonder who is proofing their manuscripts! Well, I put up with it because I am a great fan of historical fiction, especially the Arthur tales, although I don't suppose his story is strictly historical fiction! Your series is one of the best and most enjoyable although I have to say the "Mists of Avalon" ranks up there for me because of the importance of the women as the main storytellers - not a common perspective. I like Jack Whyte's version as well. But back to you, I just want to say that I appreciate your gift so much and look forward to many years of reading and rereading your works. Thank you so much. Patrice Manget, Kalispell, Montana.

Sir Just had to let you know how much I appreciate your books. I have completed The Grail Quest and The Saxon Stories, all in the space of a month, and looking forward to Lord Uhtred's final tale. I also have all of Sharpe's tales, on DVD, I am ashamed to say. :)

Paul O'Rourke

I have just reread the Sharpe Stories and enjoyed them all but in varying degrees. I thought that Sharpe's Sword had a touch of Arthur in them especially when Sharpe threw the Sword into the water. Sharpe's Waterloo was an intense read with the battle running virtually throughout the all book. Sharpe seemed a bit supernumeracy at times in it but I think that was deliberate. However my favourite book was Sharpe's Devil it seemed to me to have all of what makes Sharpe stories so good and fun to read. Thanks for the entertainment again. How about writing about Sweet Williams adventures in America. Just a thought.
Roddy Carter

I don't know if you have access to BBC Four TV shows, but they just ran a two-part program, "How the Celts Saved Britain", which recounts how Ireland survived while Britain began to fall into the Dark Ages and how Ireland's Catholic Monks then brought Christianity back to Britain in the 500s. Quite well done, and while watching it, I recalled your historical plotlines and several plot devices you used in the Arthur trilogy or the first Uhtred novel (borrowed from history), which makes we want to re-read the Arthur set. Thank you for your writing, and the richness that your books and a show like this add to one another.

Bob Selig

I just finished Sharpe's Fury and it's a nice addition to the series! Enjoyed that you worked in Henry Wellesley to the story. Whenever you do get around to the next story, perhaps you could do something at the beginning or the end. Sharpe's Beginning that sees him from the streets to Flanders. Or perhaps something at the end. A special mission for Arthur Wellesley when he is Prime Minister.
Michael Calkins

Dear sir, May I take this opportunity to thank you for a great talk last Saturday at Althorp.You both made it amusing as well as informative.Many thanks for signing my books and it was a joy to actually met you in person at last.Again Many thanks and here's looking forward to the next time.
William Green

Hi Bernard:) I just wanted to tell you that you write some of the most exiting books I've ever read! I have only just now discovered your books about Uhtred of Bebbanburgh and I just love the feeling when you can't wait to go to bed and read:) I can't wait till the next books comes in the stores in DK!
Betina Lorentzen