Your Questions

Q

Just watched the History Channel's series on the American Revolution, and couldn't help but wonder. If Wellington was around at the time, in your opinion, would he have made a difference in the outcome, or was it just too monumental a task? Did Wellington and Cornwallis ever meet? Was there ever a chance of Wellington fighting in America during the war of 1812? Sorry for the barrage of questions, but there are just so many "what ifs" in history, it's fun to discuss them. Oh yeah, before I forget, I'm a huge fan of all your books, and can't wait for the next one's to come out. May they continue for many, many years to come!
A. Sehic

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Don't know if Cornwallis and Wellington met. Wellington was invited to take over the land forces in the USA during the war of 1812, and sensibly turned the offer down, explaining that the Americans could always give up ground and so gain time - i.e. the country was simply too big to be defeated by the numbers available, so I suspect he wouldn't have made that much difference - he would have done a lot better, but he couldn't overcome the insuperable difficulty of the size of the war zone.

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell, I am going to be writing a series of books about some of the forgotten heroes of history including names such as Mary Seacole. I was just wondering if there were any other names you could suggest for such a series? Thank you. Daniel.

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

There was a recent biography of Mary Seacole - you might want to find it. I can't think of any names offhand, but I'll put the idea in my mind and see if anything suggests itself . . . sorry, not very helpful.

Q

Hello Bernard, i have just finished Sharpe's Fury and enjoyed it immensely. I have a couple of questions though, the book doesn't finish with the Book's title. Why the change ? When can we expect the next instalment of Sharpe's and Harper's adventures ?

Peter Green

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

That isn't written in stone! A couple of others don't finish with the title, and somehow I couldn't make it work with Fury, so let it go without. I wish it had been otherwise, but there you go!

Not for a year or two.

Q

Just finished reading Sharpe's Fury. Thoroughly enjoyed it, as always. I'll have to read it again starting on a stormy February night. Where can you send Sharpe next? He's back to Lisbon, so should in theory miss Albuhera. Will you do a Sharpe arrives in Portugal and use Rolica or Vimerieo? Will he be instrumental in exonerating sir Arthur from any part in the convention of Cintra? Will you take him to the abortive siege of Burgos or the the sack of San Sebastien? Whatever it may be I am sure it will be as entertaining as ever. Thank you for the last 25 years of Richard Sharpe. I thought that you couldn't top your description of the fighting at Fuentes de Onoro but your depiction of Barrosa was every bit as gripping. Thank you once again, what are you currently working on by the way? Andrew Hitchen

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

I wish I knew. Albuhera is on the cards, but not a certainty. As for the others? all possibilities, none are certainties. I won't write another till next year, or even the year after, and will think about it as we get closer.

I am now working on the fourth book of the Saxon stories.

Q

Hi. Having previously read most of the Sharpe cannon, I'm just now reading them again to include the 'prequels'. I'm reading Sharpe's Trafalgar which I'm enjoying enormously. You've previously stated that wanted Sharpe to be a 'land-based version of C.S.Foresters Hornblower books' Did you write Sharpe's Trafalgar as a 'homage' to Hornblower and did you re-read any of the Forester books before you wrote 'Trafalgar'? Vicky

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

No, it wasn't a homage, it was a bit of mischief. It just struck me that Trafalgar was on the way home from India and Sharpe might like to get involved.

Q

Sir: You are my all-time favorite author, although it is exhausting trying to keep up with all your different series. Reading your novels fuels my dreams of one day being a writer of modern and historical fiction and nonfiction. I especially like it when characters from one series pop up in other books (i.e., Sharpe's son as a French officer in Starbucks). I was wondering if you've ever considered having Sharpe and Sandman meet, as they are contemporaries. I have a feeling they would have been friends, or at least not enemies. Also, do you have any information on the reissuing of some of your older books in the U.S., such as the rest of the sea stories and the third book you wrote with your wife? Thank you once again for keeping me entertained and educated for many years, and keep up the good work. Jason Oakley

Submitted September 8, 2006

A

Sharpe and Sandman? I think so, too. I've flirted with the idea, but haven't indulged it yet.

There are no plans to release the third Susannah Kells book. I believe Wildtrack, Sealord (also published in the US under the title Killer's Wake) and Crackdown will all be published in paperback form this fall.

Q

Hello, Mr. Cornwell. I stumbled across "The Last Kingdom" when it came out, purchased it because the cover looked interesting and have since then read "The Arthur books", "Stonehenge", "The Grail Quest", and "The Pale Horseman". My appetite for your books is insatiable, and I have read many of the books I have more than once. I am interested in reading the Sharpe books- would you recomend reading in the order written, or in historical order?
Joel Surgeon

Submitted September 7, 2006

A

I generally recommend reading them in chronological order. You will find a correct listing of the books on the Sharpe books page of this website.

Q

I have greatly enjoyed nearly all of your books, the ones I haven't enjoyed I haven't found as yet but I continue looking. In any case my question concerns the Penguin editions sold in the US. Are they your complete novels? Several people have assured me they are based on the screenplays of your novels. I would hate to think I must start purchasing them all again. Thanks Jim Johnston

Submitted September 7, 2006

A

The films are based on the novels - not the other way around. The Penguin editions are the complete books.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I am a huge fan of your Sharpe series. I'll admit, I was introduced to the novels through the movies (big Sean Bean fan), but I quickly went through every one of the older books (many of time two or three times) and devoured every new one within days of it's release. I was just wondering if you have a certain number more you plan to write and if you know when the next one will be out? Thanks a lot! -Carrie Dragicevic

Submitted September 7, 2006

A

A new Sharpe is just out - Sharpe's Fury. After that? How many more Sharpe? I honestly don't know, and have never really sat down to plan them out. Four more? Five more? Truly can't tell.

Q