Bulletin Board

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, I have just finished reading the Lords of the North and I thought it was an excellent book and I was hoping there will be a next book. I am only 14 years old and I first got into your books by my older brother who was reading the Grail Quests, so I read them and enjoyed them so much that I read the Warlord chronicles which are my favourite books of yours.I have not yet started the Sharpe novels but I will hopefully soon get into them. Thank you Kate xx

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Thank you for such a lovely message Kate. I'm glad to know you are enjoying my books.


Q

Hi Bernard I am probably your biggest fan currently. It started last year when I picked up one of your books in a supermarket in Dubai where I live. I have been hooked ever since. I just received from Amazon the last consignment of 17 Sharpe Books which were the only ones I couldn't get locally. I now own each book ever written by you. The only book I didn't like so far was "Stonehenge". Please keep it up as there is nothing that gives one as much pleasure as a good exciting book. Warm Regards, Yazd


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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

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I'm glad you did Jose - it was nice to hear from you!


Q

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.


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Dear Mr Cornwell, You stated in answer to a question: "There were no gallantry awards in the British army at the time of the Napoleonic wars so no, Sharpe didn't get any medals." and this is, of course, entirely correct in terms of gallantry awards, however a medal was struck for the Waterloo Campaign. It was awarded to anyone who had taken part in the battles of Ligny, Quatre Bras, or Waterloo. Furthermore each soldier present at any of these battles was credited with two extra years' service, to count for "all purposes". Secondly, I notice you point people toward a number of good publications regarding the Peninsular Campaign and to the uniforms of the time. May I advert you to the seminal work by Martin Widrow and Gerry Embleton "Military Dress of the Peninsular War: 1808 - 1814". Yours aye, Deborah Evans

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But the Waterloo Medal was issued well after the event - there were no awards during the wars! You're right about Windrow and Embleton - a splendid book. Thank you.


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Dear Mr. Cornwell, Usually I avoid "Historical Fiction" because the characters are usually unbelievable and the plots historically incorrect.( "Braveheart" for instance - a dreadful movie.) But Uhtred and Derfel are so real, I can hear their voices when I read their words, and that is a mark ( for me) of a true character.I wouldn't like to annoy either one of them, but you could imagine having a great time with them in a pub! I like it that they are both old guys writing their memoirs, so to speak. I live in Washington State, near Seattle, but I grew up near Glasgow. My Dad's family are from Aberdeen, with my Mum's side all being Geordies from Newcastle, with a few Border relatives thrown in. ( she insists she's English, but her mother was a MacDougall, her granny was a McCall, and other branches were Turnbulls, so draw your own conclusions!) My families were Saxon, Danish and probably Picts, so the Saxon stories were of great interest to me. Being half Scottish and half English, I can really relate to Derfel and Uhtred, being torn in loyalties. For one thing, my accent was always messed up -part Glaswegian, part Geordie! Now, I have lived in the US for half my life, so once again, I am torn in loyalties! My "Wyrd", would Uhtred say? Anyway, after finishing The Pale Horseman, I was horrified to see that the Lords of the North wasn't coming to the US until next February, so I begged my sister, who is an editor for Harper Collins in London, to send me a copy. Which I then sat up all night reading. Now you really must get cracking and let us know what Uhtred will do next! Thank you so much for your wonderful books! I have a wild 19 year old,and she and my husband fight like , well, Saxons and Danes, and your books have really helped me escape the family goings-on for a while. I would rather be in the 3rd or 8th Century sometimes...So you see, your books serve many purposes. I shall have to read your "Sharpe" series now, although I'm not very interested in that time frame. I will try to catch the series on BBC America, Sean Bean being a very good reason for me to watch... Cheers, Fionna


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Bernard, I've loved all your books. I'm a 23 year old Irish lad and I've been hooked since I was 14. I love the vividness of the characters. Your Warlord series got me interested in my celtic ancestors. I gave one of my Sharpe books to a friend of mine, he was a bit wary at first about reading a book about a redcoat officer. He's a republican but now he's hooked as well despite his politics. You probably hear this a hundred times a day but I think your brill. yours sincerley, Alan


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Congrats on the OBE a well deserved award for once they award this to someone who actually deserves the award :D Joshua Selig


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Dear Bernard, I wanted to tell you that I thought your work was phenomenal. I know you must get so much fan mail I hope this E mail is not a bother. But I wanted to let you know that you are a fantastic and inspirational Author. I hope you know that you have a lot of fans that think you are the greatest. I look forward to your work. Your Truly, Janthima


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Dear Mr. Cornwell, I teach history ancient and medieval worlds at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama. I was a graduate student working the registration desk when you spoke here at 'The Consortium on Revolutionary Europe' a few years ago. I deeply regret not seeking you out when I had the opportunity, but at the time I was not familiar with your work. Last year while perusing the history section at a local bookseller for inspiration, I came across The Archer's Tale and I recognized your name. I quickly become an ardent fan, devouring the rest of The Grail Quest, The Warlord Chronicles, and The Saxon series. I just completed The Gallows Thief after reading recommendations on your website. I agree with readers who would relish another Rider Sandman adventure! As you can see from the letter below, I also recommend your books to my students. Strong students will discuss them with me enthusiastically for hours. I also suggest them to students who are struggling, however. Recently, I received a letter from such a young man and I wanted to share it with you. We seem to make a successful team. Together I believe we can rescue the discipline of history from the clutches of lifeless writing and mundane teaching. My sincere thanks for your invaluable contribution to the craft. Barbara Wrenn Wright

'Dear Mrs. Wright, Before Spring Break, you suggested to my brother that he might enjoy Bernard Cornwell's books, and he loved them. He suggested that I read them, but I did not. However, one day on the way to visit my Great-Aunt, I was tired of reading an English book. I was behind in it, but I found it really boring. As a break, I put down the English book and took up An Archer's Tale. I could not put it down, it must have seemed that all I did was read that book. In two days time, I had finished that book and was starting on the next&. I finished the second book and started another one&. It was the first time I ever got in trouble for spending too much time reading. If it were not for these books, I would not be the reader I am now. This reading has helped to bring up all my grades by a tremendous amount. You are one of the best teachers I have ever had. I always thought history was a stupid and boring subject, but, thanks to you, I now think it is one that is extremely interesting. Thank you so much for all your hard work. See you next year!'

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Thank you for sharing such a lovely letter. We need more teachers like you!