Bulletin Board

Q

Just a word of thanks for all your work. I am a career soldier and read your books as you above other authors of historical fiction seem to understand what our business is about. This fact struck me once a few years back in an operation in Bosnia. During a lull in our operation, I opened my copy of (I think) Sharpe's Triumph. One of my soldiers offered to trade another book when I'd finished it. It reminded me of a scene in one of the Sharpe films where two riflemen trade for a copy of a Voltaire. I thought that very fitting and a bit ironic. Again, thanks for all the effort. It is truly appreciated. Randall Eskew


Q

Bernard: Thanks for actually answering my question about the fate of Sharpe's Indian treasure trove. Sharpe's Prey did the trick. I know that this would be impossible. Imagine Sharpe at the Battle of New Orleans against Old Hickory. I don't think that Sharpe would have been "arunnin' on down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico." Guy Orr


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Read Arthur series-fabulous, have read many other Arthur tales, but love your historical & more true to his times storyline. Just read Gallows Thief-great entertainment-historical insights & lingo wonderful-felt like I had dropped back in time. Our library only had these-Am tickled to know theres MUCH more B.Cornwell. Myword you are prolific sir; the historical research, language, characters - women as well done as the men, subjects you've chosen. Didn't imagine novel re:newgate would be so entertaining-will try the Sharpe novels- had not, after discovered their existence because thot not like man/adventure/war novel that well. BUT PERHAPS I will. No need for any answers back, just kudos to you. JC


Q

Mr Cornwell I have just enjoyed reading 'Sharpe's Escape'. Thank you for another very entertaining book. I was wondering if you have ever read any of Harry Turtledove's books in his Great War and American Empire series. He has the same punchy and entertaining style of writing as you, though far be it from me to draw comparisons. It just strikes me as the kind of book you yourself might enjoy as a reader. Best wishes Andy

A

I haven't (shame on me), but I will. Thank you


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Thanks for giving me the chance to contact you. I'm not sure how long I've been reading your books but I feel I've grown up with them -and I'm 38! Your stories have the ability to transfer me away to another world, and this is no lie, the escape into sun baked Spain or rain sodden France has helped me through some difficult times in my own life! I feel sad to reach the end of each Sharpe book - read in a couple of days and a year to wait for the next. I have all the Sharpe series on DVD and I would love to think a new series will be made (what are the chances?). Finally, and I know you don't want plots suggested to you, but as an avid reader of historical fiction I would love to see stories about the Crusades, the Robin Hood/King John era and the English Civil War. If only a really good author could pick up the theme....Nolan Salmon

A

Thanks for your message. Your suggestions are noted.


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I have just finished "Gallows Thief" which I have read between Sharps Sword & Enemy, (Amazon are so slow in sending me the final 9 in the series), and yet again I was enthralled. Surely there is going to be a follow up? it was superb. Thankyou! I'd also like to thank you for the mention of the sacrafice given by the brigade of Guards, being a former Corporal of Horse myself I have always found your attention to detail to be most enthralling.although the Life Guards could do with a it more of a mention (sorry, personal bias!). I hope you can keep up the stories of Sharp, Harper & Co, so that my son, when old enough can enjoy them as much as I have, but in the meantime lets have some more of Rider Sandman !!. Brilliant. David Warren


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I may be going on holiday to Portugal this summer, an was wondering other than Badajoz where would there be good places to go an see the old Napoleonic battle sites. Chris

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Beg, borrow or steal a copy of Julian Paget's Wellington's Peninsular War, which is the best guide to the sites in Portugal and Spain. And take my advice - don't make Badajoz a priority unless you're really keen to see it - it's not the most attractive place in Spain (just across the Portuguese border). Almeida is fascinating, and there you're in striking distance of Fuentes d'Onoro, Fort Concepcion and Cuidad Rodrigo - but look at Paget!


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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

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I'm sure you're right - I'm no numismatist! Sorry for the error - I think it arose because the subventions the British gave to their European allies - to persuade them to keep fighting the French - were cynically known as the Cavalry of Saint George, and I made an assumption. Whoops.


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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


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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