Bulletin Board

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

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

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

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 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

Sharpe's Escape. On page 300 Jack Bullen is 19 on page 309 he's 20! Quick birthday. Philip Knowles

Bernard Cornwell, Nice one! Spotted the C.S. Forester character running the wrong way during a French attack, leading to him being the 'green Englishman' in 'Death to the French', i.e. Matthew Dodd! What will you do next? Have (and love) all your books Tony Ingham

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I read all of your work. Most enjoyable. There is a slight historical error in the "Sharpe" books. You often refer to Irish horses & state they are from County Meath. There was no name of Meath as a county until after Irish indepedence in 1921. The county was Kings county up to then. I formed The Commonwealth Union Institute to provide an answer to the EU as all Eurosceptics are anti without having an option. But, it is hard work alone. If you can think of any ally that might assist I shall be grateful. See.. http://www.commonwealthunion.org/ Regards, Tony McArdle.

I started to read the Emperor series because I saw a quote from you on the back. I enjoyed it very much and wondered what other books you recommend. Thanks! Taylor

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