Your Questions

Dear Bernard I am a long term avid reader of your books, and once had the audacity to tell you (at a Waterstone signing session) that you portrayed, in the Arthur series, quite the best picture of post-Romanic Britain that I had ever read. Can you help me - I have read recently a book of late 7th century England, which concerns an Irish emigre, Abbess Hilde, St. Cuthbert (alive!), Wilfred, and the founding of Whitby Abbey. Much of the detail in the book was confirmed in one of Melvyn Bragg's excellent discussion programmes last week. I assumed that it was one of your books, a precursor of the Saxon series, but I can't trace it. Any idea - I can't find it in my collection and my guess is that you may well know the author. Regards Mervyn Sennett PS Recently read Lords of the North - well up to usual standards and again giving a realistic picture of life as it must have been in those times.

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I would like to start by saying that I have been a big fan of your work for some time now. The Arthur Books are by far my favorite and I have probably read them (all 3) 10 times. With all that being said, I am also a tattoo collector, and I would like to incorporate some art work from the Arthur books onto myself. My question is, apart from the covers is there any more artwork to go along with these books? Or a good place to find artwork that inspired you or your stories? I hope to hear from you, Your Fan, Scott T. Hadley

Dear Mr. Bernard, first I read the saga of Thomas during the 100 years war. Now is the time of Uhtred during the time of Alfred the Great.I love your books!Normally I read them in my language, portuguese (Record Editora)but only the first book of Uhtred(The Last Kingdom)was published here (Brasil)and I had to buy the second and third volumes in the Harper Collins.Now Uhtred killed Ivarr and is going back to Wessex. When are we going to know the rest of the story? Do you have already a titlle for the next book? Tulio Albuquerque

Hi. Please can you tell me when the new Saxon book will be out? Looking forward to it. Claire

After gobbling up the War Lord Cronicles, I read all three of the Saxon stories. When I just finished Lords of the North, I yelled out damn it. My wife came running into the room to find out what the problem was, and I told her how sorry I was that we did not finish Uthred. Especially since I can not just go to my local Barnes and Noble and buy volumn 4. When will it be out in California. I cant wait Thank you for thoroughly enjoyable reading and history. It comes to life so readily.

Michael Gottlieb

Dear Mr Cornwell, having read the three books of the Saxon series, I was wondering when the next one will appear. This year maybe? The reason I ask is that I will be away a bit later in the year (i'm in the armed forces) & it would be great to have something good to read should we have any quiet, down time...
David

Hi, Both my father and I have read many of your books and have found great interest in the "Arthur Books", "SaxonStories", "Stonehenge" and your current stories on Alfred. What I am interested in and I am sure you have been asked this question many times. Is there a planned sequel to the Lords of the North. Both my Father and I are sure that there will be another one and would love to know when this is planned for. Many thanks for your time Best regards Doug Brown

I have read all your books and you can't write new ones as fast as I can read them. What other authors would be the next best thing?
Brad Christensen

I have read approx 15 of your books and enjoyed them all! Any chance you would write a novel about the Falklands War? Ken St. Clair

I don't know if you have been informed but I have noticed that Rifleman Pendleton is a reincarnation as he was killed in Sharpes Eagle in 1809 during the Talavera Campaign but was alive and well in Sharpes Escape in 1811 during the Bussaco Campaign. As I have all 20 of the Sharpes books and am in the process rereading them at the moment that was when I noticed this. John Constable

Dear Bernard, I'll start as most contributors do by congratulating you on a back catalogue of the most satisfying stories. I have read them all (and I do mean all) and enjoyed every one (including 'Stonehenge' which occasionally gets a lesser review amongst your public). Starting with Sharpe and making my way through your work I have also found my way to Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, Allan Mallinson, John Wilcox and others. I have also developed what at times seems to be an unhealthy interest in military history and historical fiction (currently engrossed in William Napier's second installment of 'Attila'and just finished Conn Iggulden's fantastic 'Wolf of the Plains'). My question is, on the face of it, a simple one, but I hope to get you thinking. Of the authors writing in a similar genre to you, who would you choose to read on a lazy Saturday afternoon in the garden? Oh, and why? (please don't say Patrick O'Brian, I've followed this lead form a number of sources and don't quite understand the hype!!). Best Regards, Dominic

I've been struck by your books after I got the last kingdom for Christmas, Do you have the story mapped out already or is it still a 'surprise' for you? Duncan Wooldridge

Bernard, I am curious to know how Sharpe's descendants would act concerning the events that are taking place in Iraq. My conclusion is that they are a military family and would have been Churchillians and Thatcherites, and be behind Tony Blair in his support of the United States in their quest for freedom in the Middle East. I also don't believe that they would have sat quietly while fifteen members of the British navy were kidnapped by Iran. Even with the release of the captives I'm sure the hackles of the Sharpes would be raised considerably. Pity the poor devils who go up against the Sharpes and their pals. Rick Schatz Louisville, Kentucky

My friend and I have great discussions about which Authorian tale we like the most, yours and Jack Whyte's Camalod series. Both are top notch, wonderful and page turners that robbed me of much sleep. Have you ever met Mr. Whyte?

Joe Chibirka