Bulletin Board

Just wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying a number of your books (Sharpe series, Arthur series, Grail Quest series, Killer's Wake, Gallow's Thief). Thanks for such enjoyable reading! Pat

I have only read three of your books and those are the Arthurian stories. I loved them and I would like to thank you for that. I am hoping soon to see another book like that or at least similar material. Thank you. Vangjel Pali

I just finished "Sharp's Escape". As always a great read. The most welcome line is the last line of the Historical Note, "Sharpe and Harper will ride again." This requires no answer but it is a great day when I see a new Bernard Cornwell on the shelf. George Wilkins

Just a note to say how much my husband and I are enjoying your books - all of them. I'm so glad there are many so we have much to continue with. My husband is a prolific reader and I'm not sure how he'd not read your books sooner, but now we're enjoying them together. Here's to your continued success. Josh and Mary Miner

Bernard, I really love your books. I have read loads of your books; the Sharpe Books, The Thomas of Hookton series, The Grail Quest. I am now reading the Starbuck books again. I really enjoy reading about the American Civil War. Please, write some more Starbuck books - theres another 3 years of the war left! Keep up the great work! Andrew Clarke

At the risk of ignoring your guidelines, I am impressed by your Sharpe series and the obvious research that has gone into the historical battles, which includes the men, equipment, weapons and life in the British Army during those times. I believe a non-fiction book on the progression of the military during the centuries would be valuable. No plot to steal there but please forgive me if I have over-stepped the mark. Cheers Gary

Mr. Cornwell- Recently, I began reading Wildtrack, (which is, by the way, excellent) and was quite surprised that it seemed so critical of the media. The media figures in Wildtrack are largely callous, manipulative, selfish, and dishonest. What surprised me, truly, is that you yourself worked for the BBC, and I wondered if some of the inspiration for Wildtrack was taken out of your own experiences. (Exaggerated, of course, I doubt most TV moguls murder their wives and have their hired Boers beat up VC recipients' at least not on a regular basis, anyway.) I suppose this sort of rattled me, because of an event that happened about a month ago when I was at the 60th Anniversary of the American invasion of Saipan. This celebration included a visit by General Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay, who was returning to Tinian for the first time since flying the Hiroshima mission. After a dedication ceremony, at which the General spoke, the photographers swarmed around him, snapping at each other like dingos fighting over a kill. Not only were they pressing this poor, 90 year-old veteran, (who was so exhausted after his speech he had to resort to a wheelchair) but they were jostling each other aside like children in line, screaming at each other to "Get the hell out of frame." I watched this, shocked, with my own camera dangling lifeless around my neck. An aspiring journalist myself, I was completely aghast at these "professionals" who seemed to have little personal civility and no compassion. Not one of them thanked the General when he left. In any case, what I'm trying to state is this: you really hit the nail on the head when you wrote Wildtrack. There truly are people in the media who are interested in telling stories, but not feeling them. People who write human interest, but without showing any themselves. PS: Glad to hear about the Lifetime Achievement Award. Even if it makes you feel old. (Which it shouldn't, anyone who can reply to a historical query with the sentence "Nah, Nelson rules," clearly does not qualify for that category.) Regards, Robert Rath

Dear Mr Cornwell, Thankyou for the brilliant Warlord Chronicles. My children were happy when I finished them because they got their Mum back again. There were many occasions when it was impossible to put the book(s) down, I got away with this by saying that I wasn't honouring the story or the author by abandoning the book at such an intense moment. Thankyou for plunging me into another time and place and introducing me to such wonderful characters. If only all the people we met were as loyal and likeable as Derfel. Thanks for your time. Regards Jo Dugan

I have just finished reading Sharpe's Devil and have now completed the Sharpe Series in roughly chronological order, except for the novella/short stories. Before I go go into "Sharpe Cold Turkey", I will gather my wits about me for a comment on Sharpe's Waterloo. I have read numerous books on the battle. I have played Waterloo wargames, both boardgames and computer games. I have never gotton a sense of actually being more "there" than in Sharpe's Waterloo. The only dynamic that was a tad phoney was Sharpe and Harper ranging across the entire battle field with little to do but snuff the occasional Frenchie. That is, ironically, the chief strength of your book in that we get to view first hand the major events of the day. Alas, now I must curl myself into the fetal position bereft of Richard Sharpe et al. Guy E. Orr

Did you know about the 250th anniversary of the KRRC at the Peninsular Barracks in Winchester on 12th July 2005. You have to be an honorary rifleman, and I'm sure they would want you to be there if you could spare the time. Please let me know if you require further information. I have enjoyed all your Sharpe books and am now into your other offerings. Regards Roy Dole