Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a student living in japan, and I wanted to thank you for writing such great pieces. I have all the Saxon stories twice each and I have enjoyed them more everytime. Although the books are not being translated in Japanese, I wish I could have read them in my native tongue. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, can you give me a slight hint of what the book will be about? thank you, Sy

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

The next one? Basically about the capture of London and the struggle for control of the Thames Estuary! Quite a lot of my books are translated into Japanese, so I hope these are too!

Q

Dear Bernard, After recently re-reading Battle Flag in your historical note you say Lee's victory could have been better if Longstreet had attacked sooner. Is that not a bit unfair since reading the book Return to Bull Run which you recommended it seems to show that Longstreet was correct and Jackson did not move or support the attack after only being partially engaged???

Also before Gettysburg there were two other options for the South in either reinforcing Johnston and Pemberton around Vicksburg or joining with Bragg against Roscerans would either of those plans been better do you think or would they have lost anyway????

And in reading in interest that there many non-Virginian southerners that thought the army was pro-Virginian at the expense of themselves I just wondered if you knew how high was that opinion and was it accurate????

btw I have to ask as being half welsh but will you ever consider writing about the rebellion by Owain-Glyn-dr? it came remarkably close to winning and have bow-man to bow-man battle since so far all your books have been against the french and rather one sided since they had no bowmen. yours sincerely Geraint

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I wrote the book so long ago that I fear I can't remember the details any more! Can I be let off the hook? Thank you.

It's one of those might-have-beens, isn't it? And they're endlessly fascinating, but . . . . in the end, I think, the south was doomed for reasons far above the tactical. Their only hope would have been to make the price the north had to pay so high as to be unthinkable, and they could not do that.

I'm not sure . . . . . I have come across the opinion many many times, but have never seen it quantified. Certainly many in the south thought that the Army of Virginia was favoured over the other forces, but in truth that was the war's main cockpit . . . . which is not to diminish the other theaters, but to point out that you could lose the war in a day in Virginia.

I'll be honest - I think a Welsh writer should tackle the story! And, tragically, I have not a drop of Welsh blood.

Q

Hi, I love your Arthur trilogy and wondered what you thought of other Arthurian writers you have read. For example, Helen Hollick's Pendragon's Banner trilogy was a tremendous read. Have you come across it? Alan Campbell

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I have, and think it was terrific. My favourite, though, remains TH White, The Sword in the Stone.

Q

I love your books! They make the time periods they are written in come alive. I have a question pertaining to Thomas of Hookton. In 2004 you had stated that you were not going to bring him back at that time. Have you revisited that? He is such a great charater. Thanks for all the hours of enjoyment you have given me with your books. Dennis Pass

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I'm glad to know you enjoyed Thomas. No plans for him right now, I have too many other things on my plate!

Q

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell I am a big fan of your books and have read all the Sharpe's books at least twice. I was wondering if there was going to be another one? I have also read the Grail Quest books and The Saxon Stories Bearing in mind that I am still only thirteen, and still in school, I now excel in my History class. For that I have you to thank. Also my Grandfather found out that I have (and my family) originated from Norway! I can't wait for the next Saxon Stories and my Dad is impatient for another Sharpe's book (so am I!). And finally , if you could, could you tell how to make a yew bow? Charlie

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

Yes Charlie, there will be more Sharpe books.

First find your yew tree! preferably from the Mediterranean! They have denser timbers, and you need a nice straight trunk about six feet long, and you basically shape your bow from that, making sure that the softer (outer) wood is the inside of the bow (it compresses more easily and provides 'push' to spring back) and the denser heartwood is on the outside (it bends reluctantly and springs back straight violently). The nocks that hold the string need to be carved from cow-horn and fitted over the tips. Your string should be twisted from strands of hemp treated with a glue made from hooves. Rub the bow frequently with a mix of rosin, tallow and wax. Then shoot straight! Most modern yew bows are made from trees grown in Oregon, USA, because no one in the Mediterranean gives the trees the treatment they need - the wood has to be knot free, which means inhibiting the growth of branches, but I'm told Oregon timber is very good.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell I used to read your books about sailing adventures while living in Guadeloupe. I have a question completely different. Have you ever heard about a WW2 spy named Edward Jackson. He daughter lives here in Calgary, Vanada, she has quite a story and we are trying to help her find out infos about her father. They moved to Canada on the QT during the war. Thank you so much.

Louise Bonneau

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

All new to me, sorry!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, first of all thank you for revitalising my book shelves. Now I have a problem, like any avid reader I can not bring myself to dispose of books, I enjoy your writing so much and plan to keep on reading your works. To solve my lack of book shelves, I have started to experiment with electronic books and have already read Sharpe's Trafalgar in this format, which I honestly found easier on the eye and actually read faster (due, more to the portability of the book)than I would have if the book was in hardcopy. I must add that none of the thrill and enjoyment that I get from your style of writing was lost, so now to my question. I have noticed not all of your books as of yet, are in electronic format; do you have any control over this or is this purely a publishers decision and do you have your own views on books being published in this format? Derek

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

It's a publisher's decision, though I suppose I could stick my oar in. I'm horribly old fashioned, I like books. I don't want to read a story on the computer, or on an e-book or i-book or whatever they're called. My belief is that books are here to stay - though I daresay the development of the electronic book will eventually push publishers into illustration again, and books will become much more than words. And much more expensive to produce. I dunno, I'll stick with books.

Q

I believe it is in Sharpe's fortress that Sharpe throws Hakeswill into the snake pit and I would just like to know how he escaped to return in Enemy. He is definitely the best fictional bad guy ever.
Tom Owen

Submitted April 12, 2007

A

If you were a snake, would you bite him?

Q

Hi I love your books, especially the Saxon and Arthurian novels (maybe that's because they are the only ones I have read)and I would just like to know whether you are planning to or have write/written any books from a scot/picts point of view? PETE

Submitted April 12, 2007

A

Not in my plans at the moment.

Q

1807: Sharpe on the Continent? I've much enjoyed reading your accounts of Mr Sharpe's exploits. We don't know his whereabouts between Copenhagen (Sept 1807) and Corunna (Jan 1809). Is it possible that he might have served in Sir Robert Wilson's retinue during the 1807 campaign in Poland. If so he would have been present at the battles of Eylau and Friedland. (see e.g. R. Wilson, A Brief Remarks on the Character and Composition of the Russian Army and a Sketch of the Campaigns in Poland in the Years 1806 and 1807; available on Google Books). Here's hoping that there's many more Sharpe adventures to tell. John Wladis
.....Correction The battle of Eylau (Feb) and Friedland (July) both occurred in 1807 before Copenhagen, not after as my first message implied

Submitted April 12, 2007

A

I really doubt that I'll take Sharpe backwards again - doing it once has caused me more problems than I ever needed! It is a nice idea, and the thought had crossed my mind in an idle moment. maybe a future short story?