Bulletin Board

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am an avid reader and particularly enjoy books based on historical wars and conflicts. I have therefore, in the past few years been steered towards your wonderful novels. I have to say I haven't read many of your Sharpe books (yet!) but those I have read I have found thrilling. what I love about your writing is the fact that I feel like I'm learning a lot as I read them. (My father has been inundated with questions about the differences between rifles and muskets, and the order of ranks in the army!). Now I'm coming to what I really wanted to tell you about. I have recently started reading your new book Azincourt. The Hundred Years War is not a familiar topic to me but I knew I would love it just from reading the blurb. Anyway, I have also recently started looking at the play Saint Joan by Bernard Shaw for a performance of it for A level drama. I just had to contact you to say thank you because reading Azincourt in conjunction to the play has been fantastic! Hook's voices and the way you describe them has really helped me and the rest of my group to understand the voices that Joan of Arc is talking about in the play. Your novel has really helped us to understand the context of the play, and your description of the battle scenes is helping us to choreograph a movement scene depicting the siege at Orleans. So, thank you very much for helping us with our A level drama. Your book has inspired us and educated us (and I'm only half way through!). I can't wait to read the rest! Yours sincerely Jemma Adams

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a recent convert to the Sharpe novels as a result of reading the excellent introductions that you had written for a recent reprint of the Hornblower novels. I must admit that I have become completely addicted and read the first four one after the other! I am now pacing myself more judiciously to ensure that I have got another one to look forward to for as long as possible. There is no need at all to respond, I just wanted to thank you for the pleasure that your writing has given me. Kind regards Lawrie Procter

in reply to Geraint who mentioned Edward 1st and the creation of the UK, I do believe that although he aspired to conquer all Britain he failed and it was a Scottish king, James 6th who realised this dream and had the union flag designed as a flag for all Britain, There was an excellent series on BBC a while back, "A history of Scotland", which charted it from a northern territory of Britain through to James 6th ascending the English throne. It opened my eyes to a lot of things I never knew and blew away a few myths, well worth watching if you get the chance. Peter Brown

Further to my previous e-mails, I have now finished reading Azincourt. Whilst I have enjoyed the book I am left very angry and upset that you could not even be bothered to put in the historical note that there had been another Hooke (Hook, Hoke) whatever spelling that you prefer who had been present at Agincourt and who saved the life of Henry with his standard. Archives of Gloucester. Thomas Hooke rode under the command of Sir Guy Whittington, Lord of the manor of Pauntley. Sophia Hodgson (nee Hooke)

I must say out standing work, I have read many of your books and must say that I have enjoyed everyone of them. As a military man, your books have bean like friends to me in some pretty nasty places. Please keep up the work and look forward to your next book

Jack Profijt

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I just finished reading Agincourt, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It kept me up until 1:30 in the morning on the night that I finished it, and I can't tell you how long it's been since a book did that. I admire your style and you certainly made Hook into a believable and compelling character. Some things about the book bothered me, but overall I have to say that you made it an enjoyable journey from Soissons to Azincourt, and I thank you for having taken me along. All the best, +AB+

Upon finishing your Starbuck Chronicles i felt the need to write you an email and thank you for the wonderful books that have entertained me during the last months.I first started with The Grail Quest going then thru The Arthur Books and now finishing with Starbuck.I can remember few modern authors who managed to keep me so much time apart from my daily duties just so that I can read their books.I guess my next Amazon order will contain your Saxon stories which I'm looking forward to read.I wrote you this mail not to ask you something special or make inquiries about future books but rather to tell you that I really admire your work and you can say that I've become a fan. Have a nice day and all my best wishes! Stefan

First, Mr. Cornwell, I don't find your admonishments to be "unfriendly." You did your best to not make them harsh, and you succeeded. You sound like an exceedingly charming guy. Most of us understand the constraints (legal, time, financial) that all successful authors must comply with. I am not asking for anything. I just want to make a comment on your latest writing, "Agincourt." When I heard that you were writing a novel on this battle, to me this was the "perfect storm." I've always enjoyed your writings, and particularly enjoy your historical military novels. Nobody depicts a battle scene better than you. I've managed to real all your Sharpe books. Agincourt is the one European battle that has always intrigued me the most. I have a particular fondness for archery in battle. Enough said. So, the perfect storm was formed when you wrote of my favorite European battle. I'm almost half-way through and am enjoying it very much. Should you ever write a novel on my most favored American battle field (Champion Hill, Civil War), I'll be first in line to buy the book. Thanks for great reads. Phil Coleman Davis, CA

I've enjoyed reading your books, acquiring them piecemeal on my annual "cultural pilgrimages" to the UK. I first came across the Sharpe series as the TV series (in German) was broadcast on RTL2. Being ex-Royal signals, I noted in "Sharpe's Enemy" a reference to the Chaplain General also being in charge of the Telegraph system. In fact, the Chaplain General, the Rev John Gamble, formerly a Mathematics don at Pembroke College, invented a "radiated telegraph" system and sold it to the Army in 1797. This was used by the Army instead of the Murray Telegraph adopted by the Admiralty in 1796 Just a little tidbit to add to your rather full unco-ordinated notebook! Roger Greenaway

Hi Bernard, just wanted to drop a line and thank you for all your wonderful books. I took up the journey reading your books in proper time line. Started with the Arthur books then moved on to the Saxon stories and recently finished The grail quest series and Azincourt. Soon will begin on the Sharpe series. I have a tenancy to cross reference your books with non historical fiction books on the particular battle or period in your books. Your reference in your books has been always been spot on and true to history. I just finished reading Azincourt and picked up a book Agincourt by Michael K Jones which is non fiction and explains the battle very well. I was so impressed with the accuracy and how much true history you put into this book. You even included the scene where the precious box was stolen from the church in one of the villages and the fellow was hanged for it which is a true account. Keep up the great work Vadim Ozerianski from Australia