Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, This is not a suggestion, just a question: have you ever thought of writing a novel on Regency boxing? yours sincerely, Thorkil Madsen

Submitted January 17, 2006

A

I haven't - mainly because George MacDonald Fraser's Black Ajax is so good - not that there isn't room for another novel, and the era is terrific, the boxing stories horrific- so who knows?

Q

Hi, Mr Cornwell, I was reading through your answers to a number of questions and I feel I just have to ask; how do you determine what time in history your next series of books will be based on? Is it just whatever grabs your interest at the time? For the record, I have read your Warlord Chronicles and they are without doubt my favourite series of books by any author. I have also just finished your second Saxons novel and thought it absolutely brilliant. I hope you continue to write many more novels, and I'll keep buying them. Oh, and for the record, I too believe your Warlord Chronicles would do justice on either the small or big screen! James Mack

Submitted January 17, 2006

A

It's probably whatever grabbed my interest a decade ago! These things marinate for a long time, then there's a long period of reading and thinking . . . so truly there's nothing very impetuous here!

Q

Your surname is familiar to me, Mr Cornwell. Do you have any connections with the Sussex Weald and are you any relation to a Patricia Cornwell?

Submitted January 17, 2006

A

Not that I know of . . . Cornwell was my mother's maiden name and I only met her two years before she died, so never really learned that much about the family's history. She came from London's East End, but there's always a chance, of course, that the family originated in the Weald. As far as I know, Patricia Cornwell and I are not related.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I always find the landscapes in your books laid out beautifully, and as a fellow writer (though not published yet) was wondering if you are like me: Inspired by landscapes and beautiful scenery. If that is not the case, what inspires you? Aaron Schmidt

Submitted January 17, 2006

A

Like you I relish landscape! I'm not inspired particularly by mountain scenery, but seek out coastlines. In my next life I shall live in Dorset . . .

Q

Mr. Cornwell: Let me first say that I have gotten and continue to receive hours upon hours of pleasure from your books. Please, keep them coming. I am currently reading 'Crackdown' and just finished 'Stormchild'. You obviously know a great deal about sailing. Simply fascinating! I have a question about 'Stormchild' if you please. It surely takes place mostly in Chile on the Pacific side of Southern South America. But in many places in the book you refer to Patagonia and its coastline. Current maps show Patagonia in Argentina on the Atlantic side of South America. I am simply curious. Thanks so very much and keep those grand books coming. Mac White, Avid Cornwell Reader!

Submitted January 17, 2006

A

I don't why the maps would show that - Patagonia usually is reckoned to include both coasts, and certainly the Chileans refer to their southernmost region as Patagonia - maybe it's the map layout? A wonderful place, anyway! Long way away, but truly worth a visit!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Do you have any plans for a sequel to Gallows Thief? I am re-reading it for about the 4th time at the moment. Also A Crowning Mercy and Fallen Angels count amongst my all time favourite books. Have you any plans for more in this series? Kind regards, Helen

Submitted January 16, 2006

A

A sequel to Gallows Thief is a possibility, but not any time soon. No plans for the other.

Q

hello Mr Cornwell. I have read your Sharpe series with great admiration, but something has been niggerling at me from reading it. If the french column never worked against the British then why did the marshals continue to use it? Why not revert to line and pound the British that way? It seems the logical solution? And also, why didn't the french generals ask for rifles, even a coupple of regiments with them would help? thank you for your time. Chris

Submitted January 16, 2006

A

Even Napoleon understood that for a column to work against a well-disciplined line then you first had to soften the line with artillery. He blamed his marshals for not doing that. The French stuck with the line because it had worked remarkably well against other armies, and because it was a fairly easy way to take a mass of not-very-well-trained troops into an attack. Remember they are relying on conscript armies, basically a mass of young civilians forced to serve whether they want to or not, while Britain has a 'volunteer' army of long-term professionals. But the French aren't fools. By Waterloo they are trying two variations - the first is to massively increase the number of skirmishers (who will help to soften the line) and they attempted to move into line themselves once they were close to engagement - so d'Erlon's Corps advanced in column (because that was the quickest way to move a mass of men over a considerable distance) and then they tried to deploy into a line - unfortunately for them they were hit by heavy cavalry just as they began to unfold, and that was the end of that.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I had started with Sharpe and the Peninsular Campaign years ago(read them all) and had wondered about Sharpe's earlier years. I have just finished the last of the three India Campaign novels and now I know. Loved your slant on King Arthur, I assume you've read Jack Whyte's series? I'm now anxiously awaiting the third "book of Uhtred". By the way, I was looking at your picture on the rear flap. Do you ever get mistaken for Roger Whittaker :-) Cheers, Tom Gosling

Submitted January 16, 2006

A

Not that I know of - though I was once accused of being Bill Bryson. And years ago, back when the world was young, I was asked for my autograph and the guy thought I was Peter Fonda. Maybe he was blind.

Q

I attending a reading you did for The Last Kingdom. Will you be doing another book tour for The Pale Horseman, particularly in the Northern Virginia area? If so, when and where? Mary Longtin

Submitted January 16, 2006

A