Bulletin Board

Mr. Cornwell, I would firstly like to say that your books have set me on a new path in my life. I send extreme thanks and gratitude for this. I have every copy of the Grail quest, the Arthur books, and the Sharpe series with DVD's. (And before you wonder no I'm not a stalker). Before reading your books I used to pick up the odd novel and enjoy it but never really stuck to one author. Since finding the Sharpe series etc, I have not only become an avid reader, I have taken to writing myself. (albeit a novice) I feel this is an incredible step to take in my life as my school life.....well let's just say I wasn't the brightest pupil. So once again I would just like to thankyou. Please keep the masterpieces coming! You're a great inspiration. Nick Pullan.

Hi Just wanted to say that your three books on Arthur are the best I have read, they even top The Lord of the Rings. I really love your take on the history Arthur, I think it would make an awesome movie as well. From a big fan of yours, thanks Nathan.

Dear Bernard, Thank you for the Last Kingdom. Finally the Saxons get a decent go instead of being relegated to villain status in Celtic sagas. I have been an avid reader of yours for years starting (like everyone else) with Sharpe and going on from there.I particularly appreciate the life you give to your characters and your abilities as a scop. The Arthur books were terrific but the half of me that is Saxe did not like their bad press (the other half is Pict from north of the great glen). I look forward with eager anticipation to the rest of Uhtred's (and Alfred's) life. all the best, Caewlin Haeglig. born in Kent, raised in Essex (North) now in Australia.

I bought "The Last Kingdom" last weekend and have found it impossible to put down. As with the chronicles of Arthur and the Grail quest books, you really succeed in relating the characters and events to the reader. I have studied Viking history for a few years and am Asatru myself, so to read a book that does not demonise the faith was a breath of fresh air. It has also encouraged me to look closer into the history of my town, Wimborne Minster in Dorset. Thank you once again for writing such a compelling and, in places, often moving story. I look forward to the rest!! There are few books that involve us pagans and I have always revelled in the fact that you can write from a pagan perspective. Thanks again and keep up the excellent work. Graham Lovell

Hey man, I've read your almost all your books. You're the best author in the world!

Hello again, I just explored your web site after sayin hi, which I thought was very cool indeed. Then I clicked into "your questions". I was very disappointed in them. They were all a pain in the ass. Dudes! stories are an art form! you wouldn't go to the play "Cats" and complain that the actors weren't shedding to standard. Bernard, you're a literary god. You have readers who pay no mind to things that don't fit "just so". We enjoy the voodooo that you do so well. Yours truly, Able Seamen G.J Wilkinson H.M.C.S Iroquois, Halifax N.S Canada

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BOSTON RED SOX!!! BASEBALL'S 2004 WORLD CHAMPS!

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I came late to reading any of your books. I rather thought, from afar, that Sharpe was rather kids stuff. I have now read some of Sharpe's exploits and a few of your other books and am now quite happy to be considered a 'kid'. Am currently reading Sharpe's Eagle, picked it up in a place called Belfast. A place I left over fifty years ago but one to which I return whenever I can. Many thanks for many hours of more than enjoyable reading. Regards, David Gough

Hi Bernard, I have been reading your books since I was 14 and I am now 25. I just wanted to thank you as thanks to you I absolutely love history. I've just finished reading 'The Last Kingdom' and I think it could be my favourite book yet, it was absolutely awesome, I can't wait till the next one. Your books are the only books I read and have given me many years of enjoyment so cheers Mr Cornwell and keep on writing. Aaron Matthews

In Your Questions, Oct. 13th, Alexander D. asked about books on the British side of the Sevastopol campaign. May I suggest the Sgt. Jack Crossman series by Garry Douglas Kilworth. It's the closest I've found to Sharpe for that era. Daniel Thomas

In an earlier question Mark Durant mentions a TV documentary which concluded that Agincourt-era longbow arrows couldn't pierce plate armour. I saw the same documentary and, fascinating as it was, I believe it made one assumption which was wrong. They tested a piece of armour made immediately before Agincourt, which proved to be steel. They then used contemporary iron arrowheads in a testing rig to try and pierce the armour, and found they couldn't. Their assumption was that ALL French knights rushed out and bought the latest steel armour as it became available, in the same way that some people now rush to High Street shops to buy the latest fashions. I know that armour was expensive even then, so I doubt that many would have been able to buy the new steel version. I imagine that much plate armour was handed down from father to son, so I think their results were erroneous - or at least I perefer to think that they are! David