Bulletin Board

Dear Mr Cornwell. I just want to thank you for your wonderful books each and every one of them has been a pleasure to read. I have just finished Azincourt and it was a shame to actually finish it. Nick Hook, another great character and one who I could easily believe did live in that time. Thank you again and keep up the good work!
David Kiely

Dear Bernard, I love your books, and was delighted by Azincourt. However, your u-tube video has an American flag prominently fluttering in the background. Yes, some would say that old England is perhaps the 51st state, and I like you am an academic exile - but still - perhaps the stars and stripes in the background is a little too much... Best regards, Piers Coleman (Professor of Physics).

I began reading your work with the starting book of the Saxon Stories. I have been a fan since. I progressed from the Saxon Stories to the Starbuck Chronicles recently. I must add myself to the list of grateful fans waiting for another book about Nathaniel. I have read the works of countless authors and I have to say that you are one of the best I have encountered at setting the scene and at character development. Your books are absolutely rich in detail and I have yet to pick one of your books up that I could easily put down. Thank you and please keep doing what you do. Kind Regards, Matthew Laird

Reflect upon this real quick: Englishmen, Frenchmen, and Turks attempting to be friends despite outrageous racial and religious tension while trying to fight the Russians, all on the pretext of protecting the Holy Land. The Crimean War saw the first use of iron-clads, the scuttling of Russia's entire Black Sea fleet, the Charge of the Light Brigade, Protestants uniting with Catholics to protect Muslims against the Orthodox. I'm not demanding a book, nor am I requesting that one be written, I'm just throwing it out there that the Crimean War was one crazy time, though I'm sure you've already looked into it at one point and know the extent of its madness better than I. Anyway reflect on it. Rob McEveety

Thought this book was a great historical read with nice style. However, I did not think there was any reason to attack the Catholic Church and will never read another book of yours again. I will also be sure all my friends and acquaintances are informed of your anti-Catholic nature. Walter Knysz, Jr.

I read the Saxon Stories (the first three books) in Italian, of course. Amazing, fantastic. I entered in the IX century as well reading your books. I like History and especially the Dark Ages. You depicted this age very well. Uhtred is a beautiful hero, I like it, not boring. Very interesting also the description of the material activities and the religious matter, and of course, the battles. Your writing style, in the Italian translation, is very clear and linear. I read a book in few days(the night, till 1.30 a.m. before sleep). Thank you, and excuse me for my English. Gianmaria from Italy

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I've read many of your books and I absolute think and believe that they are wonderfully entertaining with humor and historical facts, which I admire and respect greatly! I can only imagine how much work goes into your books, but I truly love reading historical fiction. I just finished reading AGINCOURT/AZINCOURT and had a hard time putting it down. Again, I loved your humor and fluent writing style intertwined with the historical facts of this great battle, of which I honestly did not have too much knowledge of until I read your book. In all honesty, I love ancient and medieval history, and you bring it to life in your books in such wonderful ways, that I can almost believe I'm there, while actually learning historical facts! You are truly a wonderful artist within your craft and, to me, one of the best, and my favorite, authors of historical fiction of our time! Thank you so much for your books! Sincerely, Heike Winnig

Hello Mr Cornwell, thanks for your answer..I appreciate that you may consider (even if in just a short story!) to write about Sharpe in 1808. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm writing you today about a fact in Sharpe´s Havoc. It has to do with the action at the Saltador (or Saltadouro has it is said). The Ponte Nova is also called Ponte do Saltadouro and its situated over the junction between Cávado River and Saltadouro River. This bridge is, as referred in the final notes, currently under water due to a dam. As for the bridge which is called Saltador in the book, it is in fact Mizarela Bridge over the River Rabagão, and it stills stands. Mizarela bridge is also known by the locals as Ponte do Diabo or Devils Bridge, and also by the ancient people of the surroundings as Ponte dos Franceses or the French Bridge, since it is the bridge where Soult's army have escaped. It is said that at the Mizarela Bridge, like at the Ponte Nova, panic took over the French as they heard the British artillery at the rear and dozens fell down to the river when the crowd rushed for the narrow bridge. I hope this may help in any way.

Pedro Morgado

Hi Mr. Cornwell. In a March 27th posting, Luke asked about novels about the Battle of Hastings. I strongly recommend "Housecarl" by Laurence J. Brown. Brown must have been taking lessons from you, because his hero, Ranulf, a Saxon Housecarl for King Harold, fights in battles whose scenes rival yours for gritty vividness. Brown's second Ranulf novel, "Cold Heart, Cruel Hand " about Hereward the Wake, is also excellent, and he has more planned for the series. Alan Kempner

Haven't written in a while too busy reading Bernard Cornwell novels. Now, having savored the four Starbuck chronicles, I can certainly appreciate the pleas many are making for more. My spouse and I both would add our encouragement to that cause. Maybe, the sesquicentennial of the Battle of Gettysburg will inspire. In the meantime, since you've hinted, repeatedly and recently, at another book about the American Revolution, perhaps a forebear of young Nathaniel Starbuck might be made a participant. That would hardly allay fans' desire for more Civil War stories, but might make them feel just a bit less bereft. By the way, I was pleased to note the laudatory review of "Agincourt" in the Boston Globe (by Michael Kenney, Jan. 27, 2009). He said it's a "rousing novel," with "attention to historical detail, well-paced action, and descriptive writing that is a pleasure to read," and that "there is much, beyond the well-crafted tale, to admire in 'Agincourt.'" He also referred to you as the "ever-fresh author" of numerous historical novels. You may not read these reviews, but isn't it cheering to be called an "ever-fresh author"? We just know that means ever-young, with many more original tales to tell. All good wishes. Your library is a dream! Nancy Nemon