Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard in regards to future Sharpe books with the previous books Sharpe has always been at a victory but have you thought of getting Sharpe to any of the very few defeats in Spain like Murray's fiasco at Tarragona or Wellington's defeat at Burgos and subsequent retreat (Sharpe does re-call this in Enemy) and the first few battle's of the Pyrennes with the French victories (albiet dearly bought) at Maya and Roncvallies and Hill's defeat at Lizaso while Wellington was winning Souraen.

btw Soult at both Souraen at St Pierre Had the oppertunity of winning great victories if he had thrown in all his men straight away but did not and ended up losing. Do you think it was the ghost of Albuera where he did everything right but still lost that stopped him?? Finally Ian Robertson's book on Wellington's invasion of France I can reccommend if you have not read it regards Geraint

P.S Can you give a clue on what battle the next Sharpe book will be set around????

Submitted October 6, 2006

A

All things are possible - but again - I really don't know!

I think it was lack of confidence.

If I knew, I'd tell you - honest - but I won't know till I get much closer to writing it. And thanks for recommending the Robertson!

Q

Hiya I really like your books and can't wait for more. I've read the Saxon Series, excluding The Lords of the North three times, the Warlord Chronicles twice and have just started reading Harlequin. My questions are: Will there be another Saxon Series book after Lords of the North?

Have you ever read a book called Shogun or can you recommend any authors that write books about Medievil Warfare, especially things concerning Japan (Samurai) etc. ? Richard

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

Yes, there will be another book to follow The Lords of the North.

I can't. Far Eastern history, for some reason, leaves me cold, so I fear I can't help you at all. Sorry.

Q

The lethality of the American Civil War rifle musket as demonstrated at Frederickburg and Gettysburg modified the way battles were fought. Trench warfare was less lethal to the particpants. (Petersburg 1864-65) This developement in warfare was also experienced by the British, Russian, Turks and French in the Crimean war. My question was there a battle in the Napoleonic war where the lethality of rifles at longer range played a role.?
Bob Long

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

In virtually every battle whre rifles were deployed, is the answer, but not, I suspect, a decisive role. Certainly they made the life of French skirmishers very difficult, and were hated for it by the French, but I would never claim that Napoleonic era rifles were battle winners. They had a real effect on enemy morale, and because of that were seen to be useful by the British, but in the end it came down to musketry.

Q

I have always dreamed of watching your grail quest series on the big screen! Any ambitions or desire to make that happen? I think it has the potential to match that of Lord of the Rings, or any other trilogy for that matter. Think about it. Sincerely, Jeremy Fink

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

I'd love to see it happen too...

Q

Dear Bernard, Have read many Sharpe novels. But have just finished the first two Saxon novels back to back whilst on holiday. Will be buying 'The Lords of the North' as soon as I can get to the booksellers. One thing has always intrigued me, how long does it take you to write a book like 'The Pale Horsemen'? Do you write 9 to 5 every day or spasmodically ? Do you find yourself writing more than one book at a time or do you do one book from start to finish to keep the story fluent. Enjoy all your books - keep at it please. Patrick Madden

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

I write one book at a time, usually completing it in about four to six months. I do write everyday and I'm usually in my office much earlier than 9.00 am.

Q

I was wondering if you could tell me who was originally meant to play sharpe in the tv series. All I know is that Sean Bean got the role after another actor broke his leg. I have a bet with myself as to who the actor might have been, as I think he would have suited the role. I think though that sean is great in the role and whenever I read the books I see and hear him. Thank you I hope that you can help me. Jonathan

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

The role was originally to be played by Paul McGann.

Q

Hi Bernard,I have just finished reading,The Winter King,and have to say that it has to be one of my favourite books ever. I am just about to start Enemy of God, and will be reading Excalibur after that.I don't read many fictional books, and prefer books on Ancient history,and religion.But the way you have combined myth and history,with realism is breathtaking.I have a few questions:- Have you ever been approached by TV or Film company's wanting to buy the rights to The Warlords Trilogy?I imagine, like another trilogy filmed not long ago,that they would be quite hard to film,but if done right, would be amazing.But definately for adults only. What are your thoughts on film or TV adaptions of these books?

Hi again Bernard,have you ever read any books by,Sir Laurence Gardner?They are non-fiction books,and contain alot of information that Waterstones would class as alternative history. I think that you could turn that infomation into an amazing series of books.If you havn't read any of his books,i recommend you check out his website,www.graal.co.uk.

Anthony Potts

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

I'd be thrilled to see the Warlord Chronicles turned into film, but I suspect it would be too expensive to make, so I don't see it happening any time soon.

Fraid I haven't. But I promise to look at them! Thank you.

Q

Dear Bernard, I read Sharpe's Havoc recently, and one scene struck me, particularly as an Irishman. It was when the question arose as to why the Irish were fighting alongside the English when they are supposed to hate them. The Portuguese officer who asked the question seemed genuinely confused. Harper, as usual, couldn't wait to bleat about the shoddy English treatment of the Irish back home, whereas Captain Hogan, another Irishman, compared it to a situation whereby an infidelity was taking place in a house, and it was simply too awkward to talk about it. He put it much better than I did just there, but I loved his answer. But I wonder why Sharpe never expressed an opinion? He keeps an eye on Harper, grunting a warning whenever the latter seems to get too expressive, but he doesn't actually express a view himself. Did Sharpe have an opinion on Ireland at that time? Thank you. Paul,County Cork.

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

He probably did, but is much too sensible to express it. After all the Irish made up a sizeable proportion of the British army, even in the English county regiments which recruited heavily in Ireland, so it would have been fairly counter-productive to express violently anti-Irish opinions (which didn't stop them being expressed, of course, but not by Sharpe). So far as I know Sharpe was never stationed in Ireland, so probably has no personal view, but he plainly likes his Irish soldiers, and he usually sides with the underdog, so I imagine he's entirely sympathetic to them. Certainly one of his favourite regiments (and mine) is the 88th - I really would not want to fight against them!

Q

Hi, Love your books read most the Sharpes and am working through them in date order. Intend to get through them as I'm off to Iraq for 6 months (not through choice) have also got the Starbuck series to read and am sure they will be fab too. Have recently been reading the Saxon series and up to the Pale Horseman and have Lords of the North waiting to go, I love the Sharpe books as they were the first I read but find myself changing allegiance to the Uhtred books. As I'm from Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and have lived there for 29 years I was wondering if you were to involve it in anymore future plots as the island does have viking history with the place being sacked by the vikings and the monastery destroyed. I would also like to hear more of Bamburgh and Northumbria as I know most the places well. Also wondered if you had ever visited Lindisfarne for research or was planning to do so, if you ever do let me know and I'll get you a drink! hope to get an answer but I realise you must be very busy, many thanks and I look forward to future books, Chris Douglas.

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

I think it's very likely as it's so near Bamburgh (Bebbanburgh), but I can't tell you precisely because I don't really plot a book until I'm actually writing it, so have no real idea where the books will go - but certainly the road must lead back to Bamburgh! And yes, I've visited Lindisfarne at least three times in the last three years - and doubtless will be there again!

Q

I am currently researching an essay on the life and character of Napoleon, and the effect his personality had on the eventual defeat of Napoleon. Could you recommend me any historical texts that could help me? Thanks. Regards, Adam Sargent

Submitted October 3, 2006

A

What I'd recommend are the biographies, because you'll find their bibliographies the best sources for such texts. I'd sepcifically recommend Frank McLynn's recent book, Napoleon, which examines his character very closely. You can get a more jaundiced (but brilliant) account from Paul Johnson, and you should probably look at Andrew Roberts's book that compared Napoleon and Wellington. As a novelist I work more from secondary sources, especially when dealing with the French, so I'm not really in a position to list primary texts, but McLynn ought to be helpful. Good luck.