Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a voracious reader, especially of adventuresome historical fiction. I recently discovered your books (and I am glad there are many). Being a writer, I admire well-woven yarns and being a history buff (and actually a specialist in some areas) I enjoy the sensory recreation of different time periods via words. I am, thus, taking quite a delight in your books. I particularly liked Gallows Thief. Both for plot, resonance and technique -- I thought each chapter was a self-contained gem. I could go on with this deserved encomium, but I also wanted to point out one inaccuracy in Sharpe's Prey. There are a few references to Gold Guineas bearing the depiction of St. George and the dragon. The plot takes place in 1807. The first British gold coin to depict St. George however was the Sovereign of 1817. The George III Guineas struck from 1787 to 1799 (these would most likely be the issues that would have been used in the plot as there were no Guineas struck from 1800 to 1812) show a spade-shaped shield on the reverse, hence their sobriquet Spade-Guineas. I'm also a numismatist -- so this point stuck out for me. The book, of course, was still great fun. Thanks, Greg Cole

Hello Mr. Cornwell - I am a fan of the Sharpe series, and I just finished reading "Sharpes Prey", the expedition to Copenhagen in 1807. I noticed while on the ship, he broke open a bag of gold guineas with "the saint lancing the writhing dragon". I became curious and went searching for a picture of such a coin, and it appears they were not minted until 1817. There were some from the 15th century, but that seems very old. Are these guineas a fiction or did I miss something? Thanks - Paul Reiser

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am writing to you about your trilogy the 'Warlord Chronicles', I have just read the trilogy for the 3rd time, and i still feel that the books give as much pleasure as they did when i first read them. I read the first book when I was only 11, and it was the first 'adult' book I had ever read, and since then I have not read a better set of books. The huge range of emotions your books convey to the reader are phenominal. I've adored and despised characters, I've laughed, I've cried, and some of the descriptions of the battles create such a vivid picture that its put a fire in my heart. So for writing these books I thank you. Michael Webb

Just finished "Sharpe's Escape". Excellent ! Sharpe defeats the enemy, crooked civilians, crooked allies, & superior officers. I believe I remember in a previous volume that Sharpe's unit had a "Rifleman Dodd" and wondered at the time if it was a reference to the C.S.Forster story. Now this story reveals Dodd's first name to be Matthew- the same as C.S Forester's character ! Plus in an action, he's cut off from his unit - almost a prequel to the 1943 story. Looking forward to Sharpe's next adventure. -Bob

Dear Mr. Cornwall I discovered Richard Sharpe just a few weeks ago. Congratulations on a fine creation, and wonderful stories. I'm now into my fourth Sharpe novel and hunting down the rest through various bookshops. Thankyou for the grand entertainment so far and for giving me an insight into the Napoleonic wars, which were never a great interest before. All the best from Australia, regards Gino

Hi, Mr Cornwell, I'm a student of History from Brazil, and I liked your trilogy The Grail Quest. The atmosphere of your book is very interisting, Sorry for my english, but in the next time I promise to learn. Celso Luiz Terzetti Filho

Hi Mr Cornwell. I would just like to say that you are an amazing author. I have just recently discovered your books and have already read all "the Grail Quest" and now going on to "the Winter King". I am 16 and have never been as interested in any book as I was with "the Grail Quest" books, so thankyou Mr Cornwell. Craig Dumigan

Hi : Nancy and I flew to Potters Bar to see you and hear your talk about you and your books. BB RR AA VV OO !! We were thrilled to listen your story about you and your wife. By the way I also have a Pacifist, Vegetarian,Yoga practising wife. Nancy and I cracked up laughing over that remark. We still start laughing when someone mentions any of the above. WE LOVE IT! Thanks again for giving Nancy and me one of the best times we have ever had. Oh, and thanks for signing my book. The poeple who ran that Napoleonic fair were just great to us. We plan on attending next year if you are there. Will you be? Thanks again . Sincerly, Joseph Bielawski...aka...Ancient mariner

First off this is a great website. I am a sharpe fan and am working through the collection currentley enjoying Sharpe's Havoc.. However to me your best books, which I think are the best books ever written, are the Warlord chronicles. I came across these in audio book form and they were wonderfully brought to life by Tim Piggot Smith, but they were the abridged version so I bought the books and read them and have done many times since. Although Arthur is the hero it is Dervel who I admire most, whilst Arthur struggles with oathes Dervel follows his heart. To me right or wrong these are the definitive Arthur tales and though this is probably not the way it happened it should have been. My other favourite books of yours are Stormchild, Tim Blackburn not your usual hero but a great one and Gallows Thief, Rider Sandman is a fantastic charcter and I hope you will write about him again. Thanks for taking the time to read this I appreciate it. Yours, Rob.

I made Sharpe's Escape last as long as I could, but I've finished it now. It was everything I'd hoped for and once again you have delighted me. I've now read all of the Sharpe series twice (well, Escape only once so far) and everything else you've written except the thrillers once. Now I have to decide which series to reread next while I wait for The Last Kingdom. I notice it only seems to have a UK release date, but I'll swim there to get it if I have to. Thank you again, sir. Daniel Thomas

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have recently finished rereading Harlequin, and (being a traditional bowyer) your description and honour of the longbow is so accurate.(You have obviously done your homework) Which brings me to my question. Do/have you ever practised archery before? If not, I recomend it, the sport is very intriguing, personally I love the sight of a shaft and three feathers sticking out of the earth. -Amir