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I have read and enjoyed almost all your books. Sometimes, as I read, I run into what I call "speed bumps". These are always evidence that the author did't do his research. One of the most frequent is when an author is writing about firearms. I have read REBEL and COPPERHEAD. Please be advised that: percussion caps are placed on nipples, not on cones, a revolver was always kept loaded with powder,bullet and caps, rifle cartridges were designed with a cone shaped paper charge to allow the whole item, paper, powder and minie bullet to be rammed down the barrel without using your teeth to open the powder. Without these cartridges, a powder flask throwing 60 grains of black powder, was used to pour powder down the barrel, after which, a non-wadded mimie ball was rammed down the barrel. These are minor points, but are speed bumps to me. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see how Starbuck makes out.
Lon Harper

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. In a February 22nd posting, Alec Davis asked your opinion on what post-Roman armies could have beaten the Roman legions. In my opinion, if the Romans had come up against a force of English longbowmen from the 100 Years War, they would have been slaughtered. The longbow shafts would have gone through their shields and armor like it were tissue paper, and the Roman cohorts would not have been able to maintain formation under such devastating volleys. Once they broke and ran, a charge of mounted knights of the 100 Years War period, both men and horses clad in full plate armor, would have finished them off. Alan Kempner

Dear Mr Cornwell sir, may I thank you for changing the way I read books. I used to read all the Tom Clancy novels, CIA, spying and all that macho stuff (by the way I am ex army). I stumbled across Harlequin a few years ago, and have not been able to put your books down ever since. The Grail Quest books had me gripped from page one to the last page of Heretic. Then I got hold of the Arthur books and again I was gripped. Then came my friend Uhtred, what an epic, I could not put them down, but please tell me when the next installment is published in the uk,and I will camp out side my local bookshop to get the first one on the shelves. I now read anything that you endorse ie-Conn Iggulden,and Pip Vaughen Hughes and so on. So thank you again sir for turning a light on in my very thick head and making me read, rather than sit watching football and moaning at bad refs. yours gratefully, Gary Winders aged 37&1/2

Hello again Mr Cornwell Not sure if they show Time Team the Channel 4 archaeology programme over there but recently they did a dig at Shorncliffe redoubt which may be of interest to you. http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/2007_shorne.html.

Mr. C: Just wanted to tell you that after reading all of your Sharpe novels many years ago, I recently rediscovered you via your Saxon tales, and am now enjoying "Lords of the North". I like your "Witnere" warhorse, as "Tormentor". Witner is one of many variants of my last name, though I was told Witmer meant "Widow" or "Widowmaker" from southern Germany or Switzerland. I prefer the latter definition. Best wishes for continued success. I'll looks for some of your other series after I finish this one! - Bill Witmer; Lakewood, Colorado

Love your books! Hope you plan to bring back Sweet William in another sharpe adventure. Sad to read in the q and a that you don't plan to write a book around that character. Rick

Thanks you so much for your quick response regarding the "pace." In my original question, I should have pointed out that the Ancient Roman pace was also a two-step pace. The Romans standardized it at 58 inches, the standard Roman 5 feet. As a former military man, myself, who marched many a mile at the standard military step (not pace)of 30 inches, I'm betting that the Baker Rifle was very accurate at more than 200 one-step paces (165 yards). Rifleman Thomas Plunkett of the 1st Battalion, 95th rifles was supposed to have made an extraordinary killing shot on General Colbert at between "200 paces and 800 yards." Since there's such an enormous difference between 165 yards and 800 yards--or even 330 yards (if you accept the two-step pace)and 800 yards, it would seem to me that there would be greater agreement on the distance, but, the latter distance seems to be the one most modern scholars agree upon. I just wish they could agree on just what constitutes a pace!!

Mark Dymkoski

Mr. Cornwell, Not since James Michner have I read works of historical fiction that enthralled me as much as yours. A fortunate chance provided me a copy of "The Last Kingdom" that I read in one sitting. I was moved to then obtain copies of "The Pale Horseman" and "Lords of the North". These too were read in a sitting, and I find myself wishing for more. I Thank you for your work. Highest Regards, Richard A. MacCrone

Hi Bernard, I just want to say that I enjoy reading your books very much. To be honest I personally started feeling that when the Grail Quest series came out that your form was waning, or thinking about retirement too much. However you have come out swinging with the Saxon series and completely blown me away Bernard. I just thought the Grail series lacked the punch that your other series had and you had me worried for a while. The Saxon series I enjoyed just as much as the famous Emperor series and thats not a small comparison. Keep up the good work and look forward to future readings.
Ghostbat

"Patrick O'Brian lumped Forester and me together with the sneer that our books were all story snd no lifestyle..." With a sneer? With all due respect to Mr. O'Brian's success, I've never been able to finish reading one of his books. The form I have enjoyed them in is the ABRIDGED audio versions (less "lifestyle?") which I listen to while mowing my lawn. By the way, I loaned some of my "Sharpe" volumes to a friend who is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret. He's enjoyed them hugely (I think because of how accurately you depict the 18th century ground-pounders' "lifestyle") and has several times muttered to me "The meek may inherit the earth, but only after the last soldier saves it for him." Cheers, David McKissack