Bulletin Board

You are right, Bernard. The Starbuck Chronicles do sound a bit like Sharpe, but still great, enjoyable reading. Thank you. Don, USMC Retired. Born in Maine, now living in Arizona.

Mistreatment of Irish Soldiers was not confined to His Mayesty's army. The US Army's officers were no slouches when it came to maltreatment of Irishmen. At the time of the United States War with Mexico, a large number of Irish soldiers serving in the American Army deserted, and fought under the Mexican flag as the "San Patricio Batallion". Several books and at least one movie have been made about them, the latest, as a novel titled the "St Patrick's Batallion". The leader of the "San Patricios" was a man named John Riley. The unit, probably the most effective and deadly in the Mexican army, was wiped out at the battle for Chepaultepec Castle with the survivors being tried by courts martial for desertion. A large number were sentanced to death by Winfield Scott, the US forces commander, and the executions by hanging were carried out the moment the US flag flew over the Castle. Sgt Riley and several others escaped the death sentance as they had deserted before the formal declaration of war. They were branded as deserters.
Sam

Sir, I much enjoyed your SHARPE series ... but was fairly flummoxed with your ... or the TV description ..of Sgt Hakeswell (spelling ???). Back in l948 I was called up ... conscription ... and joined the DORSETS in Austria. The battalion chief Provost was Sgt. (sorry, but I've forgotten his name)with supposedly the M.M. who, too, used to shake his head just like Hakeswell. Rumour had it that he had a schrapnel wound and a piece was still there! I just couldn't get over that uncanny 'resemblance' ! His understudy was a typical lance corporal who didn't like me. Reciprocated ! Lance Corporal Nash of, obviously, an Etonian background who used to say 'Yew, soljer, hits hagainst harmy regulayshuns ter smoke wiv a cigarrete 'older' Yours truly, Freeman Newton, White Rock, B.C.

"Sharpe's Challenge" aired here in Australia last weekend - while I was much more impressed with it than with the previous Sharpe Television series, I was disappointed that the BBC chose to change facts when there was no need. Why not set this story in the context in which it was written - "Sharpe's Triumph"? And stating that Lucille died of fever? That grated a lot. I have read your Sharpe Companion, and took great comfort in the fact that Richard enjoyed a long and happy life with Lucille after his fighting years were over. I mean no offence to you personally - I just felt that I had to comment! I am about to collect "Sharpe's Fury" from the library, and I am looking forward to it with much delight!
Jenifer Rubenach

Dear Bernard, I have been reading and have read all your books I have been reading them since the mid1980s when I was in the Australian army . My 4 boys also love your books and the movies. Can't wait till we get your latest book here . Pity about the Starbuck series, maybe one day.
Neville Scott

Dear Sir, I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your trilogy of the Saxon stories tremendously. Being here in the USA I could'nt wait for Lords of the North so I ordered it from Amazon.uk. I can't wait for next book that follows in the series. Thank you. Sincerely, Larry Snyder San Carlos, CA

Even as a South African reader, I find your books of incredible value as they tell the truth more than any other writer, make History real and put things in context. Even though Sharpe and Starbuck are fictional, I have learned more about English and American history from you than I did at school. I enjoy the way you show the true characters of people like Napoleon and Washington, the truths behind the growth of religion and Christianity where some terrible atrocities were committed by men of religion. The Arthur books were a bit heavy, but am looking forward to your next Grail Quest 'type' story. Thank you for many hours of pleasure. Time to make a film. Kevin

I just want to say how Stonehenge completely blew me away! What a fantastic book - and I admit to never having read one of your books before. I am now in search of more reading - a very powerful and totally absorbing book and one of the best I've read in a long time. Many thanks! *smiles* Lianne Bryce

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I'm a fan of you from Brazil and I'd like to say that I love your books and that here in Brazil it's a hard task to find your books. I´ve been trying to buy Sharpe's Fortress for three months and I don't find it anywhere even on the internet, I'm starting to get crazy because I really need your books, they are the only good things we have here to read. But I really have to say thank you for this wonderfull oportunity to leave this world and get in those fantastics worlds that you create in your books. From one of your fans in Brazil, Henrique.

Dear Bernard, As one exiled from the North East of England some years ago now, I just want to say a mammoth "Thank you" for the Uhtred series. What a character! There's so much weaving of so many things into that one man, and I particularly love that tension between the old pagan religion and his cynicism towards Christianity. I read from the perspective of (a) loving history, (b) having worked as a Mental Health nurse for the last 21 years, and (c) having worked "part-time" (if that's possible!) as a Christian pastor and church-planter. All those three things I suppose have given me a love for that which has a "ring of authenticity" about it - whether it be a Christian community in the heart of the inner city, or a psychiatric rehabilitation unit injected with a respect for people's struggles. The story of Uhtred (I'm just over half-way through "The Lords of the North" now!) has that ring of authenticity and integrity about it. Having avidly devoured "The Last Kingdom" sometime last year, I was in Christchurch (NZ) in late October for a conference. It was early evening, and I stumbled into a bookshop close to the Cathedral Square, and there was "The Pale Horseman". After purchasing it, I decided I'd go sit in the square until dusk and have a good read - but that first I'd go buy some food. As I was purchasing my meal, the young woman behind the counter said "What an amazing night to go and celebrate Beltain." (it was October 31st).I suppose she might have thought I wouldn't have had the faintest idea what Beltain was, but when my response drew more of her story from her (and why it was that she had such a desire to celebrate an ancient British pagan festival!) we ended up having a pretty amazing conversation as to what it was about the Celtic Christian preaching of Christ which had led so many in Ireland, Scotland and Northumbria to embrace Him... And then I went and read about Uhtred. His ambivalence towards all that Alfred stood for; his understanding of the spinners and about the fact that "Fate is inexorable"; and how in each experience of love - Brida, Hild, Steapa and of course Ragnar - he's drawn closer to the true lover of men's souls. That evening stands out from many such experiences which have led me to the conviction that a truly authentic story has so much power woven into it - power to shed light on our own lives; to forge "connections" with other folk; and ultimately to draw us to God. So thank you Bernard. I guess when Uhtred's story is finaly over I'll feel like I've lost a friend. But at the same time, I'll have learnt to laugh at myself a little more often, to have the courage to act on the sense that God has led me in a certain path for good reason, and to walk through this world marvelling at the richness of the tapestry which history weaves. There's an old Blessing attributed funnily enough to St Cuthbert: "See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another. Follow the example of good men of old, and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come..." With Every Blessing on all your Endeavours, Philip.