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Just finished reading The Pale Horseman.Fantastic as your books always are. Just could not put it down till I had finished it. My wife threatened to leave me if I did not come to the table to eat. Looking forward to Lords Of The North. Perhaps I should prepare a`stack of sandwiches. Cheers, Richard.

Mr Cornwell, I was first exposed to your glorious creations when my Dad narked off my Mum by putting Sharpe on during dinner times when I was 10-12 - it wasn't that she didn't like it but she felt it wasn't condusive to the appetite when people were getting "mullered" left, right and centre. Since then I have had many joyful hours reading all your original run of Sharpe books, the Arthur trilogy which I couldn't put down, and am greatly looking forward to Fury. All the very best and congratulations on both the OBE, richly deserved, and on creation an amazing plethora of consistently excellent and oddly wholesome (Can't help but think of Sharpe and Harper that way, Arthur too, for that matter) timeless adventures. Alex Sullivan-Wilson

Hi. Your correspondent Rory Toma asked (July 11) about books about the Zulu wars. A good book that gives an over-arching view of the whole conflict as well as both battles is The Washing of the Spears. It was published around the time I visited Rorke's Drift in 1975 (long drive but well worth it) but it should be still available in a library. Chris

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have just recently become a devotee of the Sharpe novels. I have long been a fan of historical fiction and read "An Archer's Tale," "Vagabond," and "Heretic," (which my mother, a librarian, got me to read) but if I ever saw the Sharpe books in the library or bookstore, I wouldn't have picked one up. Military fiction usually leaves me cold, since it often contains too much detail of the fighting and not enough human emotion. And the Napoleonic Wars have always seemed an especially boring period in British history. (Anything after the Revolution, I mean the American one, of course, seems boring to me.) But several weeks ago I began recording the Sharpe films on BBC America, ostensibly for my husband, who likes military history. We watched them together and I found myself hooked! At first I thought I had simply fallen for the charms of Sean Bean, but then I decided to read the Sharpe books that predate the films, the ones set in India. I now find myself addicted and spend every waking moment reading Sharpe novels, watching Sharpe films, or checking up on Sharpe on the internet! My husband also likes Sharpe, but is bemused by my complete absorption. I found on your website that another Sharpe book is coming out in September, 2006. By then, I will probably have read the other 20, as I'm reading them night and day. Thank you so much for bringing such a dynamic character as Sharpe to life.
Joan Carr

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I thought you would be interested to know that for several years I have been reading your books, in particular the Sharpe series which has led to my wife and other family members having a laugh and giggle at my expense as it has has made me into a bit of a Sharpe anorak. To the point of me having really vivid dreams of me being Sharpe (I'm a Geordie and in my dreams I think he sounds good with a Geordie accent). Once I had read the series the dreams calmed down. I have had similar happenings reading other authors books about the romans in Britain. But then I found the Uhtred series and of course him being from Northumbria we clicked and the active dreams begin. Of course it is all an exciting read and gives us all here funny stories to tell. I wanted to thank you for your books and cannot wait for Uhtred to return and am now eagerly awaiting the new Sharpe book. Thanks again and all the best, regards, Marsh Easom.

Hi, Mr. Cornwell. I'm a big fan of your books, and have read most of them and I'm currently reading The Saxon Stories. I'm thoroughly enjoying the series. I notice that you concequently refer to the Vikings as The Danes, regardless of what area of the British Isles they attack/occupy. For instance the Vikings who attacked Lindisfarne, Ireland, and the northern parts were traditionally from Norway, while the Vikings in south were Danes. Although Norway or parts of Norway from time to time were under Danish rule, I still think it should be held separate in this time period. Cato Myrkaskog

Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to drop a quick note of thanks. Your storytelling is so vivid and brilliant that I cannot put your books down and feel like I've lost and gained many friends through your work. Your works and Robert Heinlein's are some of the few that truly become real as I read. --Dan Granados, California. p.s. I've decided to order The Lords of the North from the UK since the US release date seems so far away. Daniel Granados

Posted on 30 June: "Are you planning to watch the World Cup's "Napoleonic rematch" between Spain and France? :) Sean Storrs" Your reply: "This is terrible - your question didn't reach me until after it was over. Sorry. But France won't win the cup."

Mr. Cornwell: You were right, but that was a close final match. Zidane's carte rouge notwithstanding, did you see one of the French players take his second place medal off while he was still on camera and that Coach Domenech put his in his pocket? That, to me, is also inexcusable behavior. Sean Storrs

I just wanted to say that the Arthur seriers were my favorite three books I've read. I was always King Arthur fan, reading several novels and seeing Excalibur. I picked up The Winter King because I couldn't find anything else in the book store. Who would have guessed, I could not put down the book from the time I brought it home, and I couldn't wait to read the other three. I even named my youngest son Arthur (middle name). This was years ago and since then you became my favorite author, reading Sharpe ,and the Grail seriers. I didn't know about the Saxon Seriers, till I stumbled on to your website. I'll pick it up this summer. I saw I a chance to contact my favorite Author, so I took it. Jose

Well Mr Cornwell, I almost don't know what to say! The first book I read of yours was Stonehenge, one of my most favoured places to reflect and relax. I loved it to say the least. I am now reading The Saxon Stories with almost ocd obsession! I find everything that you have written that I have read has touched me in a way that is very personal to me. Stonehenge has always mystified me and I go there a few times a year to take in its history and ambience, and I always delight in taking someone there that hasn't been. I have always lived in the south east (England of course!) but I have some nordic ancestors so Uhtred's loyalty to both sides is familiar and endearing to me. I also am fascinated by this particular period in English history. Although I am quite sure you are in fact not writing these books specifically for me, with all this in mind I just have to tell you...... I love your books!! I am in fact, I think, falling a bit in love with Uhtred! So, please keep up the good work, and thank you for giving me such a thrilling read. Your most obsessional fan, Natalie.