Bulletin Board

Dear Bernard I have never written a fan letter before, but here goes. I'm 42 years old and have stuggled to read books of any sort since leaving school, every year I make a new years resaloution to try and read a book. i have just finished your Warlord Chronicles which I have really enjoyed, I found all of them very gripping from start to finish. I start work at 7.15am and was getting up early to read before leaving for work and reading last thing before going to bed, the lack of sleep was worth it. I'm now total hooked on reading I had your grail quest series for Christmas which is waiting for me, and i'm just starting the The last kingdom, I hope that you can write faster than I read what ever will I do when I've read them all. Thank you very much for opening a whole new world of reading to me. keep the books coming. Thanks agian Jim

Wow, Lords of the North was your best Alfred book yet, and finally Kjartan got what he deserved.
Andy

Dear Bernard. I am one of the mostly shy person. Excuse me my english, but I used to be a student a long time ago. I am a psychologist, 26, and I live in a very small town called Cuiabá, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brasil. (far like Gawilghur for you, I think .... laugh). I just like to thank you for your books, I have just read twelve of them, specially the books of the grail quest and the sharpe´s, of course. I have to admit that it´s very easy to read, because I don´t have to read with my eyes but with my soul. I have found a lot of examples of psychological types, emotions, loves, pains and great reflexions. Congratulations. From the distant Brasil, a enormous shake of hands and (I think you are so tired of this ....)please, keep it in mind, your books and your ideas made me want to be a soldier under the Derfel´s orders, or a archer helping Thomas or even a british soldier, not just for the glory, but the redemption ..... the growing .... the courage and fear ..... the passion for the life well-lived. Congrats. Leonardy Negrini

Mr. Cornwell, Thank you for The Saxon Stories. I finished "The Last Kingdom" and have just started "The Pale Horseman". Reading this series has been nothing short of excitement and pure enjoyment. All I can say is that I can't wait to begin reading your other series once I finish the Saxon Stories. If I ever have the pleasure of making your acquaintence on the Cape (I live outside of Boston), I hope you'll allow me to buy you a few pints. Chris Foley

Re the questions and comments about the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. Recently the History Channel went on location in the Crimea to further investigate the battle. Their findings were dramatic. Some facts are well-known: The British generals on top of the valley walls could see the far end of the valley as a Y formation. The nearer left-hand leg contained British guns under pressure from some Russian infantry. The farther right leg was a much large valley whose sides contained many Russians and at the far end contained the Russian artillery. Lord Raglan, commanding, sent the notorious Capt Nolan down into the valley to order the Light Brigade to go to the left-hand leg and relieve the pressure on the British Artillery. Nolan passed the order to Lord Cardigan, as just basically charge the artillery. Here is the important new information found by the investigators. All the cavalry brigades the Light and the two Heavy brigades were on-line in back of a rise which masked the far end of the valley. Neither leg of the Y could be seen. Nolan didn't explain they were to move to support the British guns. He simply said to charge the artillery. He then did his famous and not-understood act of charging in front of the Light Brigade as it advanced. Getting a few hundred yards ahead of the Brigade he suddenly turned back and tried to stop the Charge. At which point he was inconvienently killed by the Russians. Apparently when he cleared the rise he realized that the leftleg, containing their objective (the British artillery) couldn't be seen due to the geography of the valley. He also must have realized that the only artillery which could be seen was the Russian artillery at the far end of the right leg. Not being totally stupid he must have realized that the Light Brigade was going to charge the Russians as soon as they cleared the rise because the Russians were the only troops which could be seen. That's why he tried to stop the charge. He realized the unintended slaughter that was getting ready to occur. The Army teaches that the terrain is usually the secret to winning battles. This charge reinforces that thought. Thanks, Don Conrad

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I'd actually given up getting an answer to my question, so only saw the answer today! That is not meant as a slight, because you must be very busy, so I doubted you would have time to answer me. I wasnt confusing monogamy with celibacy. It so natural for us to think mongamy is the norm nowadays, that it is surprising to find out that it wasnt always so. Like the Mormons who didnt submit to the rule of monogamy! Even in Judaism, it states that monogamy is the ideal, but multiple marriages were not made "illegal" until the reform movement in the 19th century! However, I have not found all the references to prove my point so you are right. Your book is fine as it is. PS Did I mention I was a big fan? The guys in the battalion will die when they hear you wrote to me!!

Did you know the Light infantry are being amalgamated as of Feb 1st? http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regts/the_rifles/index.htm.

Nabs

I read with interst today the announcement that the British army will be merging five battalions to form a new Rifles Regiment, which will be the largest single unit in the British Army - maybe be could have a whole new generation of budding Sharpes' to look forward to - all credit to you for raising the profile of 'The Rifles' ! Gavin Collinson

I'm a great admirer of your work, and was very pleased to see that you will be featured at the HSN Conference in June. From your press photo, it appears that you are an aficionado of cigars. If you would tell me your favorite brand, perhaps we could talk a little shop amidst billowing clouds of aromatic smoke.... Regardless, I look forward to meeting you at the Conference. Cordially, Marc Graham Lakewood CO

Mr. Cornwell, I just finished the last book of your Saxon Tales. I devoured the the complete series in a matter of two days and as you can imagine, I am anxiously awaiting your next. They were the first works I have ever read by you and probably would have not read it except for the fact my husband bought the firt book for me knowing the fascination I have for Viking's. I have to say I enjoyed them completely and can hardly wait for the next one to come out. Patricia Wood

huge fan! have read almost all your books. Would help if paperbacks are 4X6 - much easier to handle when travelling or reading at the pool or in bed. Saxon novels seem to be all 5X8 and the Warlord Chronicles all 6X9 - very inconvenient. I won't stop reading, but smaller books are better. Morgan Rees

I've read many of your books and enjoy the personifications - "I know this person!". I was pleasantly surprised when your character drove his boat thru (sinking) his daughters (while she was trying to kill him), and laughed aloud to your comment "Should have done that a long time ago" - after Arthur slapped Gweniviere. Nothing earth shattering to say. I pass your books around and recommend them highly. As my wife said "Yes!". Best, Jon