Your Questions

Dear sir, I just needed to know why Sharpe passed up so many chances to become a colonel (alright 2) but still... 1st when Sharpe has Lord Fenner on the ropes he asks for Girdwood to command (so he can in effect command, but still as a major) however surely Fenner would have been in a position to give him promotion if he so desired? Secondly once he makes his fortune he could have bought promotion (while this one I understand Sharpe may object to due to where he came from and due to his morals but perhaps you could still explain the first one), thanks, Tommy Smith

Absolutely love the books - especially the Sharpe series and the Grail Quest. I've started the Last Kingdom and it's damn good, so congrats on pulling off another splendid read! What happens to major Dulong in Sharpe's Havoc? I know you said he disappears from the historical records, but have you found out anything since? I see from your FAQs that lots of people want a English civil war series, but its not high on your list - shame, because I'm studying the period at school and nothing I read can bring it alive in the way that your books do! Also, I'm really tired of reading wishy-washy historical novels that disguise the reality of warfare, so I love the battle scenes! thanks again for many great reads, especially Sharpe! Andrew Sinclair

Love most your books, been a fan for years. Own all but Arthur\thrillers\saxon stories A Question if you will: Why change the Sharpes series covers so many times? I absolutely adored the original covers but have had to complete my collection with tatty new covers. The ones now shown on your site here may look stylish but they really do not show what the era was like. They convey nothing to new readers who have little idea about the Napoleonic era. Any chance of the Sharpes books being reprinted with the great art that adorned them originally? Not the cheap photos with a couple of antique weapons thrown into the mix by some trumped up arty farty man ;) This is just my opinion not meant to upset anybody you understand.... Thanks for listening anyhow. Now I have that off my chest its time to go play a little Take Command 2nd Manassass. I am offcourse reading your Starbuck Series (for the first time) as a primer\inspiration for that period. Sean Poole

Dear Bernard, After just reading your post dated the 31st about the US should have been declaring war on the French. I had to write in because I am curious as to why you seem to dislike almost hate the French so much??? After living there for a few months I found France a lovely place to live and the people quite nice and helpful albiet a bit rude on the road and just wondered what a French man had done to you to make you hate them??? And while I appreciate that you live in the US and as such would have attachment to them is that the reason why generally with the exception of Redcoat (during which anyway all Brits who attempt to fight the US are pyscho madmen and all who do not are saints) you have generally stayed clear of the Anglo/American wars and kept Sharpe out of the war in Canada? Indeed in Sharpe's Siege Sharpe who hates deserters does not seem to have a problem for them running off to the US navy! I should point out that United states did declare war in those day but on the UK not France as Monroe rufelly admitted after the war of 1812 if they had known Napoleon was going to lose they would not have declared war. And even the French invasion of the Revolutionary wars of South Wales was led by a US general and during the Crimean war US riflemen enlisted to fight with the Russians and the American ambassador to England declared that although he liked some individual Englishmen he hated them as a whole and in their Civil war one of Lincoln's cabniet memebers thought a war with the UK would end their own civil war. Not counting all the covert attempts on Canada that were based from the US to which even a young officer called Winston Churchill thought he was going to be sent to fight the Americans at one stage. And of course Mel Gibson's attempts to wipe out the English nation on screen. Anway I will continue to read your books and look foward to the next viking novel I just felt recommending declaring war on a nation seemed a bit harsh. Tony

I am a keen reader of the Sharpe novels, and all things to do with the Napoleonic Wars. As I am a resident of Hampshire, I am interested in the history of the Hampshire Regiment, and their role around the time of the Peninsular war, and beyond. I know that they did not have a major role in the Peninsular war. In fact, if my knowledge is correct, they only took part in one major battle, that which took place at Barossa. What interests me more is the new Sharpe film set in India, as I know that the South Hampshire's were in India during the 3rd Maharatta War. Do you think that they will get a mention in the film as it would be great to see Sharpe fighting alongside them, and is there scope for Sharpe to have further adventures in India after Sharpe's Challenge? Kind Regards Russell Dutton

Sir, Thank you for your Sharpe novels.They have stirred an interest into the peninsular wars. A company "Military heritage" in the US are advertising that you have purchased one of their Baker rifle replicas, Is this true ? & are you satisfied with it? as I am considering buying one. Dave

Does your research ever uncover/bring to light any questions regarding the "perceived" history of a Regiment? For instance - Colin Campbell of the 93rd v,s Frederick William Burroughs, the eldest son of General Frederick William Burroughs of the Bengal Army?. Esp at Lucknow - but as you probably know - history is a matter of perception. Truth and Honour often gets lost to expediency, and so called "public good". I once heard that - No newspaper ever lost circulation by pandering to the prejudices of its readers. best wishes from me. Mrs Elaine R Gregg

Sir, As a soldier, I am of course an avid Sharpe fan, but I was really drawn into the Gallows Thief. I am wondering are there any plans in the pipeline for more adventures for Rider Sandman? Neil Allcock MBE

Will Uhtred be present at the Battle of Chester in about 907 between Queen Aethelflaed of Mercia and an alliance of Wirral Norwegians, Danes and Irish. The Queen was in contact with the Saxon King Eldelfrid who gave her advice, the messenger, whoever that may be, would be at both camps? Peter Brown

Bernard, Since Sharpe and his green coated rifleman do so well at moderate range with the Baker Rifle, I was wondering how prevalent Rifle Regiments were in the British Army during the Napoleonic era. I seem to recall a few times when Sharpe and his troops were being over run by Frogs that they just spit unpatched balls down the barrell as fast as any Brown Bess could be loaded. The reason the US Continental Army of the period did not use rifles was the issue of loading speed. (3 x a minute with the Brown Bess versus once a minute with a clean Kentucky Long rifle) Your thoughts? Bob Long