Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell, thank you for responding to my e-mail of Jan. 11, 2009! Just wanted you to know I owned 20 out of the 21 Sharpe books and had read them multiple times before I ever saw any of the TV collection. So, while I've thoroughly enjoyed the videos and DVD's, the books were, and still are, my favorites because of their greater depth. (Movies can never completely cover the content of the books, and stories seem to get changed, condensed to save time/ money, etc.) I am looking forward to your 5th "Uhtred" book, more Sharpe and Harper books, other books you will write, and would be entirely delighted and shocked if you were ever at an event where we were fifing and/or shooting our muskets! ( we're always in NYC's Tartan Day parade in April....) Sincerely, Karen K.

Dear Mr Cornwell! Firstly my heartfelt thanks in particular for the Sharpe and Saxon series. I am an amateur historian of mixed European origins currently living in Poland. I do love a well researched and written historical novel, the first of my childhood being "the Eagle of the Ninth" (Mary Sutcliffe). My personal interest in the Napoleonic Wars is primarily in the participation of Polish volunteer (mercenary?) infantry and in particular cavalry (both uhlan and lancers with their typical Polish square hats) units for Napoleon's Italian, Spanish and Russian campaigns (160,000 of his 600,000 strong force in 1812). Several of my ancestors, including my great-great-great-grandfather, fought in the Spanish campaign under Napoleon. So its been an interesting and enjoyable experience over the years reading about the adventures of a Rifleman on the opposing side! As to the Saxon series, the more you write the better! They must be a challenge to write given that the historical records are relatively thin, but you have evidently succeeded so far! Many thanks once again for providing such enjoyable, easy to read and historically interesting novels. Michael Mazowiecki PS I occasionally cross check your facts by using wikipedia and other sources. I was surprised by your mention of the Roman Arena in London (Londinium) as when I was a student, its location was completely unknown. Its since been confirmed as being under and in front of the City's Guildhall.

just a note to say how much I enjoy all your work .......good luck and thank you
Frank Harkins

Thank You Mr. Cornwell for your Saxon Stories: as a Gifford (in Salem Massachusetts) they have brought me closer to what I assume is the heritage of all Giffords, i.e., descended from the Earl of Giffard, William the Conqueror's Norse-descended right hand man in 1066. I am hoping your novels might someday delve into that Norman Invasion. Congratulations again on all your fine works, including Sharpe's Rifles, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. -Tom Gifford

dear Mr Cornwell, just a short note, to let you know (my ego tells me you'd be interested) that I've been re-reading the Arthurian books, and I was struck, by the different way I'm viewing some of the characters this time round (I was late-twenties when I last read them, I'm mid-thirties now)and I now find I'm less in awe of Merlin, more thinking him now different to any religious, nut is ingenuous, salesman? Clever, very clever, but wanting to sell his religion anyway, Arthur comes across, now, as 100% a politician doing undesirable things, such as the Irish girl on the beach, still, obviously a great warrior. I felt a bit sorry for Mordred, in the second reading; pushed from pillar to post, no wonder he was the was he was. Derfel seemed the same, a blunt tool (ingenuous too) I still disliked Lancelot, but, maybe being a bit older than I was, I could appreciate his cunning more and Guinevere ambitions (a great brain, trapped in a females body, when the female stock is low. And I think the main thing I've taken from the 2nd reading (and I think the press coverage of the 'polish invasion' to Britain, over the last few years, has coloured this view a bit) but there's a hint of unsavoury nationalism, 'they've come over here and pinched our homes and our jobs, let's fight them!' Anyway, thank you for indulging me (if you have) and I've no doubt I'll have a different view on the trilogy when I read them again, in my forties!
Stephen Marsland

Dear Mr.Cornwell I would be much appreciated if you would continue writing your saxon novels about king Alfred and Uhtred I am a big fan of those specific books. Please stay in contact with the upcoming books arriving. I wrote in a hurry sorry about the spelling and have a blessed day. David Scott

Viking Reenacting -- For you amusement, the following links to the official trailer for the comedy, "Faintheart." Best wishes for 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml6EH9QHLEY. David McKissack

..Family in 42nd Royal Artillery, so yank school asked me: "Why didn't the British fight better?" (good question, answered well in your "Red Coat." The ambiguous pro American sentiments(Howe) the Bitchy dourness of Sir Henry...Gentleman Johnny..But I answered.."Stinking weather, too few too far from home, and 'win' what ??? I knew well the British soldier thought he could take Georgie any bad day, wanted to fight on after Yorktown. (He's the one, paid for letting 'Georgie' off at Sandy Hook)...(were you a consultant for the "Patriot'?? It was obviously lifted from 'Red Coat' you well should have been Sir.)I believe 'Red Coat' is one of the finest literary works since Marlowe's 'Edward ll' I own two copies- should be re-issued some day Sir..Thanks M'Lord very very best..(and called it Macaroni)

Torribaxter

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Thank you for writing the Sharpe novels. I have enjoyed them immensely and reread them often. I had to retire early because of a stroke five years ago. Once my eye sight came back I was able to read again. I am very grateful to still have the ability to read! Sharpe was and still is wonderful 'therapy' for me. Best wishes to you. Sincerely, Al Pernisek

Mr. Cornwell, I writing in thanks to the countless hours you devote to weaving your tales. I have read them all voraciously. My only regret is that I read faster than you write! I mean that in the warmest sense. My grandmother was Mary Lee Settle, founder of the Pen Faulkner award for writing. I very much look forward to your future works. Thank You, Nicolas Weathersbee