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I am so pleased that Sword Song has arrived! I'm from Durham so I'm doubly pleased when you write a book which includes my local geography. I have even booked a caravan at Bamburgh for the weekend to get into the spirit! Thank you sir thank you! Ian Langley

I finished reading Sword Song a few minutes ago. I howled in anguish as I finished the last lines. A compulsive reader I read the historical notes and promptly phoned my daughter (who will be the next reader of my copy) to tell her I had finished and then read her the last line" and so Uhtred and his story will continue" Oh! Yes please and as soon as you like. Wonderful story telling. Thank you Bernard Cornwell. Janis Pegrum

Dear Mr. Cornwell - I've been enjoying your books for the past 18 months now. When in vacation in Hawaii early in 2006, I found a copy of "Sharp's Fortress" in the condo we were staying at and spent several minutes considering should I read "Fortress" or one of the other books on the shelf. I made a good decision and began "Fortress" but was unable to finish it before it was time to leave. So, following a book exchange convention I've noticed at other vacation condos in the USA, I took "Fortress" home with me and left two of my own novels in it's place. What a great decision because now I've read all the Sharpe series (including "Sharpe's Christmas" and "Sharp's Skirmish" and also last year watched the BBC series). I went on to the Grail Quest Series, the Warlord Chronicles, the Saxon Tales, and now I'm enjoying the Starbuck Chronicles. As you can see, I'm hooked! What I like best, is the historical perspective and reading about how folks loved 200 to 1600 years ago. Now that I'm reading Starbuck, I'm looking forward to the part where we readers are introduced briefly to Sharpe's son. I really enjoy writing techniques such as this - I've read all of W. E. B. Griffin's books and get a kick out of how he has successfully used this "trick" a number of times which simply brings me back for more. Perhaps you can use this approach in the future for Captain Fredrickson who I've enjoyed almost as much as Harper. I'm looking forward to "Sword Song" and I'll probably buy it in the UK rather than waiting for the US publication in January. Thanks for your wonderful body of work and please keep adding to it! Mel Miller, Upland California.

I despaired when I came to the end of the Master and Commander series (read it up to P.O.'s last words), and sneered when I first picked up Sharpe's Tiger. A couple of weeks later, I am on Sharpe's Rifles and the sneer has given way to wonder. I am degreed in history; I know how each story ends. I know, from the list of books still to come, that Sharpe will live on, even as I know each of his antagonists, particularly the lovably hateful Hakeswill, will suffer in some Stephen King-ishly morbid fashion, and my pathos thrills in anticipation. I know, as I grieve for Sharpe's suffering, that revenge will be sweet. And yet, even though the outcomes are known and the resolutions predictable, I am not bored, neither by your plots nor by your teaching. You do not bog me down in history, you do not fill your thousand word a day habit with minutia- you make the details part of the plot, even twisting the environment to keep them relevant. You are a marvelous story-teller, Mr. Cornwell. I thank you and I applaud what I have read. Jim Scott

According to todays Daily Express, "Sword Song" is the first book to knock the final Harry Potter off the number one slot. Congrats! But could you please stop writing books quicker than I can read them? James Spivey

Bernard Cornwell. Sir, I found your book, the last kingdom, in an old used book shop here in Canada, and thought I would give it a try. Sir, this was a fantastic story and I truly loved it. I look forward to reading more of Uhtred tale and finding out what became of Ragnar the younger. Again thank you, you have brought a great deal of enjoyment within the past week. Jay Brake

As a medieval historian it is not my usual habit to read historical novels as I find they are invariable inaccurate or improbable. However I make an exception with your work and have read and thoroughly enjoyed most of your books. The Saxon Stories in particular are outstanding, brilliantly researched and thrilling. I enjoy the refreshing portrayal of the christian monks as men rather than saints. Aethelflaed is a pet subject of mine so I am thankful to you for putting her in the public eye, a thing long overdue. I was dubious initially about the necessary artistic licence in dealing with her but feel you have achieved a triumphant explanation for her actions. I read Sword Song in two days and was then left bereft, at a loose end, please hurry up and write the next one! Judith Arnopp

thank you for the grail series,starbuck,alfred and warlord books I thought sharpe was good I think you must be one of the most talented modern day authors, once again thank you. Rory Dent

Thank you for the Saxon Stories! I have enjoyed them a lot. I am looking forward to get the new book. I hope the English version is soon available in Spain. I had never read one of your books and last summer, looking for something to read in English, I found "The Lords of The North". I loved it. After that, it took me several months to get the two previous ones but I did, and this summer, I have read them all ("The Lords..." again, of course), and now I cannot wait for the new one! Thanks indeed for this fantastic series. Greetings from the North of Spain. Cristina

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Further to mine of Aug. 16 (thanks for posting!), I've come across these fellows' website (http://www.pns1814.co.uk/spain.htm) which contains numerous pics of various sites in Spain and elsewhere that Mr. Sharpe and your readers would be familiar with. FYI. All the best, Doug Holaday Wilton, CT