Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, A few years back on a delayed longhall flight, I swapped my well read copy of Flashman by George McDonald Frazer for a copy of Sharp's Tiger. To say I've been hooked ever since would be an understatement. I've rattled through all the Sharpe's, devoured Arthur & the Grail Quest and am at fever pitch to see (if) Uhtred take Bebbanburg. To tide me over, I purchased the audio books which, much to my wife's dismay, do not hold the same visual appeal as Sean Bean. In order to feed my addiction, whilst maintaining my marriage, can you please kick the arse of your sales/product manager and get the Sharpe series out on DVD? I've search high and low without luck, finally checking your site to read it wasn't yet available. Shame! A request; As a Scot who's long since emigrated to Australia, your Auld Isle tales have given me regret at a lack of exploration whilst I called Britain my home. Next year I am hoping to get back and rediscover some of the landscapes you have described so poetically in your Arthur & Alfred tails. Do you, or any of your avid readers have any recommendation? My plans are to start with pre & post Romanic UK. Later, if the coffers allow, India, Portugal & Spain to follow Auld Hook Nose's footsteps. I'd be extremely grateful of any tips from experienced "Cornwell" travelers. Thank you so much for your time and works to date. If you ever make it out to Australia I would dearly like to hear you speak. Yours gratefully, Jamie Raeburn PS. You have Anglo-Saxon, Irish, Dane & Yankie heroes. How about the next series you look after your Scots readers! Jamie Raeburn

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

What's wrong with Sir Thomas Graham in the last Sharpe? Sharpe, for some reason, seems to have huge numbers of admirable Scots (Nairn, McCandless, Graham, and I could go on). But I agree I haven't written anything round a Scottish hero - yet! I grew up in southern England, so probably have a bias towards that region. When you come, make sure you visit Avebury (not just Stonehenge!). You could make a fabulous vacation just visiting henge sites! But I'd add in Maiden Castle (Dorset), Caeleon (southern Wales), and then get myself a really good guidebook!

By the way, two Sharpe films (Sharpe's Rifles and Sharpe's Eagle) are now available on DVD in Australia. Click on this link for more information: http://www.timelife.com.au/index.asp?pagetype=product&productid=587&categoryid=2>/a>.

Q

My father and I are both huge fans of your literature Mr. Cornwell, thank you so much for the endless entertainment and your ability to bring true history to life. I was wondering if you had ever seen the HBO show "The Wire" by David Simon? It is easily the most well produced and written shows I've ever seen. If there were ever a person I would want to help you put your works on film, it is him. Thanks again, Cheers! Aric Davis

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

I'm sorry, I haven't! You intrigue me though, so I'll try and catch it - or find a DVD.

Q

Dear Sir, I neither have a manuscript I would like you to read or indeed a book that needs signing. However, as always with my books I put a comment on the inside cover before giving it to someone else asking them to do the same when they are finished. I should add that I am yet to read a book by you that I do not like and thus my comments are positive, as are most of the responses on that inside cover that occasionally comes full cirle and allows me the pleasure of reading everybody elses!! My copy of the winter king was in circulation for ten years, somebody actually stuck an extra page for comments in the back cover! I figure at the very least this makes a good dinner topic for you and I would imagine gives you great satisfaction, although I except that this probably cost you money! I do know that everyone I gave a book to had never read you work so who know where that journey took them. I am actually writing to find out when your sequel to the Lords of the North may be ready? I'm not hurrying you or anything, if you are in the throws of some terrible wordblock episode then I apologise,I just need to know at least there is one coming! Yours with great admiration, Richard Douglas

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

Thanks for your positive comments. The fourth book of the Saxon stories will be available in October 2007.

Q

I'm 15 years old and doing my GCSE's. I am also a great fan of the 'Sharpe' books and have just finished reading 'Sharpe's Waterloo'. I am currently writing an essay comparing two war poems; The Charge of the Light Brigade by Lord Tennyson and Drummer Hodge by Thomas Hardy. I have reached a disagreement with my teacher regarding the use of the Light Brigade. I am under the impression that it was formed of rich young men who could afford horses and were forced to war for family honour. I also believe that their main function was to pursue routed enemmy units. For this reason I believe the poem to be correctly glorifying the charge due to the fact that it was out of character for the unit. Could you tell me whether or not my view is correct and provide me with any other information? Thank you for your time and keep writing! Sean O'Brien

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

The officers might have been wealthy, but not the men! They were the usual mix of farm-boys and other recruits who had some understanding of horses. The light horsemen were properly used for picquet duty (standing guard way out close to the enemy), scouting, and, of course, in battle, though no one expected them to have the same impact as heavy cavalry. I doubt there was anything glorious in the charge at Balaclava. They showed unbelievable heroism, but they were thrown away by complete idiocy and inefficency! They were certainly never meant to charge the guns! The order was misunderstood. Not sure if this helps - long time since I read Tennyson's poem. I think he was celebrating their bravery . . . but more I can't say.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have nothing put praise for your excellently readable Sharpe's books, (I have all your books). On my travels, I did notice that a Lt. Strode of the 95th carried a rifle. Was he your inspiration?. Everything you write corresponds to some or all of the following, as you probably know: Adventures of a Soldier - Edward Costello. Peninsular & Waterloo Campaigns - Edward Costello. The First Respectable Spy - Jock Haswell. Life in Wellington's Army - Anthony Brett James. Were these also a source of inspiration? Best of luck, and thank you. John

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

All of the above and a score of others. I can't claim to have read every book of letters or diaries from the campaigns, but I tried!

Q

Sharp's Sword.The name Capt. Scovell.Is this entirely fictious,or based on a real person?My ancestors came from Sturminster Marshall,UK area,and I would be interested in any genealogical data,or possible sources for research.With thanks,JHS

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

I honestly can't remember - wrote the book too long ago. I think if the name had significance for me I would remember, so can only assume I took it from the index of a book . . . . sorry.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a great admirer of your historical novels. I wished to ask you a personal question - did you attend University and study history or was your study of history a sideline? Thank you and keep up the sterling work.James Vella Bardon

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

Really a sideline. I'm an amateur.

Q

Hi Bernard I'm replying to a question posted Jan 17 about the film "Last of The Mohicans". Colonel Munro did survive the massacre. The attack itself was probably greatly exaggerated in both the book and film. Munro became so depressed by Webb's betrayal (by not sending reinforcements) that he retired from the army and died shortly after. I was wondering why you hated the movie Bernard? Were there gross historical innacuracies? Was it because Hawkeye was such an impossibly good shot with a musket? In the book he claimed it was rifled. Did they have rifling in the 1750s? Or was it the sappy love story? Thanks, Jim

Dear Mr Bernard, I read in an earlier post that you mentioned you didn't like The Last of the Mohicans, I was just wondering why you did not like this movie? Thank you for your time. Sarah

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

Just hated it. Never bothered to analyse why!

Q

Redcoat is the best thing I have ever read about the Revolutionary War! One question though. The book was dedicated to movie director Irvin Kershner, but as far as I know was never made into a movie. What happened?
Michael Calkins

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

Hollywood happened. Of tinseltown there are no explanations, nothing makes sense, and there's no point whatsoever in seeking explanations, because none will ever be forthcoming! Thanks for the message anyway! It's a book I'm still very fond of.

Q

Hi Bernard. Im from BRAZIL and I have just finished reading the Arthur books. As a musician I became very interested about the bards (I dont know if thats the correct word because a read the books in portuguese, here they calle it "bardos"). Are there any lyrics/poems about Arthur times available nowadays? Where can I get it? Marlon Negrão

Submitted January 24, 2007

A

None that I know of . . . . you might find a book on Taliesin, the most famous bard of that era, but I don't know of that either. Apologies.