Bulletin Board

I came to your books only in the last couple of years. As an avid fan of Napoleon I hesitated to read the Sharpe series as you can imagine. I am a voracious reader of history and a painter of toy soldiers, and I was painting a Saxon army and decided to read the first of your Saxon shore series. I have now read all four books over a dozen times and love them more each time. This led me to all your other historical novels, including the entire Sharpe series. I am hooked. I wait with baited breath each new release. Thank you for writing such vivid and wonderful stories. While I like every one of your books, I must say that the tale of Uhtred are by far my favourites. On my list of all time favourite books, yours are second only to Fagels' translations of Homer's classics the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Iliad being the only book I have read more times then your Saxon Shore novels Thanks for providing such wonderful entertainment. Cheers.
Larry Bertoia

Just wanted to let you know that I just finished Agincourt. It's my first from you and so I went back to the library and grabbed 3 more. I don't think I'll read the Sharpe series, but the Grail Quest and The Arthur Books are going down for the count. Thanks for telling a great story. -Al-

When a youth I was interested to the point of obsession in the era of Alfred the Great. American schools do not mention him, or mine didn't, so I thought it a very unique interest. I wrote sketches and pastiches and tried to develop a Saxon character who was, Conan-like, to grow into a warrior and see the world. Then real life's distractions piled on and that was that. Thirty years passed. I learned of your writing when I grabbed a volume out of my father's Arthurian collection. Soon I needed the second volume and the bookstore had none, but it did have The Last Kingdom. My delight was complete. I am writing to thank you for writing the story I wanted to, but could not. Best regards, Don Teeter Orangevale, CA U.S.A.

I just finished reading your novel Agincourt. I found it to be a great novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it.Your descriptions of the battles was exciting. I thought the characters were excellent.
Bob Sharpiro

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I am a Brazilian student of Translation and Interpreting. I am only writing to tell you how much my boyfriend and I have appreciated your books "Stonehenge, 2000 BC" and "The Arthur Books". I finished reading Stonehenge yesterday night. It is Wonderful! We sincerely hope you keep on writing because we will keep on reading all of your books. Best Regards, Marialva Lima

Sir: Yesterday I went in to Barnes & Noble Booksellers without any thought of a book to buy. When I paused at the new releases collection the title AGINCOURT caught my eye. I picked up that book, not because of an interest in particular of European history but rather due to a magnified feeling for family. An ancestor of mine, THOMAS CROCHRODE, had fought at Agincourt. He is not listed in the records I have of him with title of sir and thus I am lead to believe he was not a knight. I do not know what part he played in the battle; perhaps he bore a pike or yes, maybe he was an archer, I know not his part in that scene only that he participated in it. I thank you for this great book. I am currently at the section before Harfleur when the sow was made to protect the diggers of the trench toward the wall of Harflour. Your bringing the action of early 15th Centuty English troops alive through this book is truly captivating my heart as I read page to page with the thought of the blood coursing through my veins having been there in the body of a long deceased progenitor. THOMAS CROCHRODE was born about 1395 and he married about 1425; hardly a lot known of the man; the only other vestige of information I have on him is the cryptic: '@ Agincourt, Oct 1415." Thanks ever so much for adding to the depth of my knowledge concerning this specific campaign. I must run and rejoin the forces of King Henry now as the book is truly hard to put down. In sincerity, Alan

Mr Cornwell, I am just writing to express my joy when reading your Saxon Stories books. I am not a big reader but I am eagerly anticipating The Burning Land. Thank You Dale Williamson, 21, Leicester

Hi, Bernard, Just wanted to take a moment to write and tell you how very much I am enjoying your 'Saxon Stories.' I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting for the next one - this year U.S. hopefully? Also, I am in the midst of the Grail Quest series. Just finished Vagabond and will get the next one tomorrow. Love them all! You're writing is so incredible, especially your battle scenes. Though gruesome, they are most believable. I can hear the swords clangs. Thankfully, not the combatants screams! I wrote you about three years ago when I broke my back and was 'forced' to sit for three months - your Sharpe series saved my sanity. I'm still enjoying the fruits of your labor. Bless you with all your endeavors and keep writing! Sharon

This is just a note to say "ThankYou!" to Bernard Cornwell. I used to hog the television controller every time an episode of Sharpe was due to start. My wife, not being a fan of Sharpe, thought that buying me the first 10 editions of your Sharpe books the perfect way to regain control of the tv for a substantial amount of time. So, in Christmas 2007 that was my present from her, all individually wrapped (much to her amusement). I have since read the complete Sharpe series, and am now halfway through the first book in the Alfred series. So "thank you!" for writing such excellent books and keeping me fascinated by your wonderful writing. Kind regards, Paul

since my last contact I had only read 7 Sharpe novels, six months on and I've read 18, just one or two gaps to fill. The books are all superb and i thoroughly enjoyed them, I was silly enough to buy the ITV video series and watched an episode after finishing reading a corresponding novel. Unfortunately the video ruined the imagination built up when reading the novel, I now regret buying the videos. Can't wait for Burning Land, fantastic Saxon stories. Quite disappointed with Azincourt. The narrative of the battle itself was wonderful. So realistic and I felt so proud to be English. I hope you don't take this personally, I thought the fictional characters in the book were a little weak, a bit like the ones from the 1960s Hollywood Historic films, they drifted in and out without making a real statement, but that's just my personal opinion. Haven't changed my view as to my favourite series, it remains "The warlord chronicles". Just about to start the Starbuck series and finish before Burning Land comes out.

Darius Slysz