Bulletin Board

I read Sharpe's Eagle many years ago, shortly after it came out in paperback, but I lost my copy. I recently bought Sharpe's Havoc and joy of joys Sharpe's Eagle was back in print so I bought another copy. In the foreward, you state that you have never reread it. I do urge you to do so because there are a few inconsistencies with your later books. For example, in Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe is a private when he is taught to read by Col. Lawford, but in Sharpe's Eagle he is a sergeant. I noticed another inconsistency but have forgotten it at the moment. If you would like me to search for it, please let me know. It was perhaps unfortunate that Sean Bean played Sharpe in the very enjoyable TV series because the Londoner Sharpe had then to be born in Yorkshire before coming down to London and of course Sean Bean is not over six feet tall with black hair as Sharpe is in "Eagle". I like the way that in Sharpe's Havoc you are subtly converting Sean Bean back to the Sharpe of Sharpe's Tiger. The foregoing are not meant to be criticisms. I greatly admire your work and you are certainly my favourite author. Keep up the good work. Finally will there be any more " Starbucks"? Roy Prentice

Hey Mr Cornwell. I have to say that Im a real big fan. When I was young I use to read alot of CS forester. His stuff was ok, but lacked any real excitement or punch. I started reading your Sharpe series years ago, and have reread them all many times over. I just finished reading Sharpes Siege again. Man what a book. My mom works at a bookstore so I get her to get me advanced proof copies to read, cause I just cant wait, but then when you do lauch a new book, I always run out and get one because the book just wouldnt be complete without the maps, and I want to make sure that you get something from the royalties. I saw on TV that you are doing a signing at a local bookstore in Burlington tommorow, I hope I can get some time off work to come and get a signed copy of Sharpes Escape. Theres so many positive things to say about your series, from historical content to hope, to just Sharpes mean struggle from the bottom to the top. Alot of people lend books..but I have to say that I dont lend yours, I can only hope that some get reprinted as many of my earlier ones which arent trade, or hardcover are starting to fall apart. Would it be a strecth of the imagination to bring Sharpe out of retirement and send him to the Crimea...sure he would be old...but what a read!!! You could make him a general!!! Sorry I just get greedy and look forward to a new book from you in the Sharpe series every so often. Im sure like all good things, Sharpe will come to pass, but where ever you do leave him, it will have been a worthwhile journey. I want to thank you for enrichening my life with Sharpe and his Napoleonic struggles...I think to few people realize today what a serious impact the Napoleonic wars had on both modern day western life and borders. Thanks for being a great author, If you can get the old ones back in print that would be great as I will gladly buy them all in hardcover!
Dave Leek

I just wanted to tell you that we love your books. We listen to them on audio as we drive across the USA in a tractor trailer, it makes the driving more bearable for my boyfriend. We started listening together, yours was a book I picked because I love period books, from then on were hooked. I can read them all at home, he searches truck stops. We are really fond of Sharpe and Harper, we just wanted to thank you for hrs. of entertainment, and keeping David sane on the road! And we look forward to Aug. for more adventure! Maryellen

Dear Bernard I have read all the Sharpe books and am currently enjoying Sharpe's Escape, but I wonder if our Richard is becoming a bit wet, frequently calling Sarah 'darling'! She's not even the love of his life! Please can we keep Sharpie as a rufty-tufty hunk of few romantic words but plenty of action! Thanks a million for the countless hours of enjoyment, escapism and education your books have given me. Cheers, Linda.

Okay, were do I start. Well firstly, as many have already done, thank you for your great contribution to the world of novels. I first came to read your books when I watched Sharpe on the television (the one with Liz Hurley) when I was about ten, well I'm 20 now so it must have been around then. And whilst on the subject I must say what a stroke of luck to cast Sean Bean as Sharpe. I have read in one of your FAQ that there is no plan at the moment to make a 'Lord of the Rings' style trilogy of the Arthur novels. You may or may not be interested to hear that there is an Arthur Movie coming out later this year with Actors such as the british Keira Knightly and a whole host of others. As much as I am looking forward to watching it I can safetly say that It is not going to be as good as one which you have written the plot for. I'm sure you hate being put as a comparrison against other writers but I put down Lord of the Rings to read Excalibur. After I had finished I picked LOTR back up again and after 2 pages decided to read all three of the Arthur novels again. LOTR is yet to be finished. I can safetly say that I have no holes to pick in any of your books as I have found them all most interestingly factual. I am greatly looking forward to reading you new novel and hope their are many more to come. Thankyou, Jane

I HAVE READ ALL OF YOUR BOOKS AND HAVE ENJOYED THEM ALL.THEY ARE ALL WELL WRITTEN AND TAKE ME TO ANOTHER TIME AND PLACE. THANKS CARL T. WIKSTROM

I want to express my appreciation to you for the Sharpe's series. Generation after generation slowly remove themselves from the pain of war. With that comes the repetition of mistakes that lead to war. As a veteran of Vietnam, with a father and father in law who fought in WWII, and relatives who died in our Civil War, I know what the sacrifice of war entails. You have brought that to the public in a valuable way. If we repeat one less avoidable battle casualty - you will have been a key factor. Thank You. J. Wilker

Dear Bernard Cornwell You are an amazing writer. I almost fell in love with Lady Grace Hale (I keep having strange dreams) in Sharpe's Trafalgar and felt so sorry for him in Sharpe's Prey. Yours faithfully Ben Thompson

Mr. Cornwell I have to say I was never a fan of reading. When I was in the 10th grade my english teacher assigned me a book report and I selected Sharpe's Eagle from his list. I quickly devoured that book and find myself soon finishing the rest of the series. Since then I anxiously wait for the newest editions of Sharpe's adventures. I am a U.S. Marine Sergeant and while overseas last year during the war while doing my laundry I ran into a British Sergeant reading Sharpe's Havoc. I quickly wrote my sister in California to send me a copy. I just wanted to know how much I enjoy your books and that the stories of Richard and Patrick is pretty much the only literature that motivates me to read. Please keep writing sir, and I will keep reading. Sergeant Keith Jackson USMC

Just watched the Sharpe's Rifles DVD. Good story. BUT: The action scenes on the whole were very good EXCEPT for the French Cavalry. Whoever was the 2nd Unit director knew nothing about the tactics of the French horsemen. I know you do, of course. The sight of the French riding around in circles just trying to stay mounted was ridiculous. Am I being too critical? Guy E. Orr