Your Questions

I recently finished the Heretic series and I found it very enjoyable and educational. I have a quick question, the Discovery Channel recently did a thing on the English longbow, their conclusion was that the long bow shaft would not pierce French armor. Which is right ? Tom O'Connor

Dear Mr Cornwell, As you always seem to be answering questions about your books, I thought I would ask as to whom you think would have been capable of holding Napoleon at Waterloo if (God forbid) anything had happened to Wellington during or prior to the battle? Though the Earl of Uxbridge was the officer 2IC his speaciality was as calvary officer and did not have a great knowledge of the Infantry and Artillery arms. My own suggestion would be 'Daddy Hill' who had remmarkable success in an independent command in the Penninsular? Also at what battle would you of liked to have observed (at a safe distance of course) in the Napoleonic era? Thank you for all your informative novels. John Hart

Honestly, I wish I had the writing talent to express how thoroughly I enjoyed your books. I'd never read a historical fiction novel before I picked up "An Archer's Tale" (aka Harlequin), and I was amazed at how easily a well-constructed story can make any period of history fascinating. Thank you for dispelling the awful (and perhaps all-too American) notion that Medieval warfare consisted solely of bands of knights galloping gallantly at each other with lances couched...and that the Napoleanic/American Civil War battles consisted of lines of men standing within spitting distance of each other, firing blindly at their enemies over smoke-filled grass field. Now, I must confess that I have only read the exploits of Richard Sharpe and Thomas of Hookton, so forgive my ignorance if this has been already been addressed, but I was wondering (whether intentional or not) if you meant for each of the protagonists in your series to be direct descendants of each other? Something along the lines of Saban begat Derfel begat Uhtred begat Thomas begat Dorcas begat Sharpe begat Starbuck (I've omitted the "Thrillers" and solo books, because they seem to disrupt the timeline a bit). Of course, it'd be any geneologist's fantasy to be able to trace his ancestry back to the australopithicines...and part of what I now love about this genre of fiction is imagining what my ancestor was doing during each of these epochs. I was wondering if perhaps your work was intended to be interrelated, or if the historical timeline is just a randomly picked retelling. Thanks! Tyler Rhoades

Dear Mr Cornwell, Although I suspect you will decline, I would like to add my voice to the weight of others on this site who have pleaded with you to write another Warlord novel. Perhaps centered on Arthur during his time in France? Would you consider? I'm on my knees here... Anyway, the series is my favourite and I have just bought all three paperbacks for my brother-in-law's birthday. Regards, Lawrence, somewhere to the north of Isca.

The Warlord Chronicles are my favourite books as well, is there any chance you could squeeze in another story? You did it with Sharpe! I can honestly say you have never written a bad book,I have enjoyed them all. Keep writing, a little bit faster if you could - it's agony waiting for another of your books. thanks Dave Edgell

I have read the Warlord, Sharpe, Grail series and also STONEHENGE and GALLOWS THIEF with the greatest enthusiasm. Few authors are rereadable for me. You are one of them. (In case you are curious, the others include Jane Austen, Alison Lurie and Kate Wilhelm.) I was surprised to read in your answers to questions that the two finger gesture that I thought of as "V for Victory" during World War II, was originally (and apparently persists as) a defiant and hostile gesture. Winston Churchill seems to me to be enjoying himself in World War II newsreels as he walks among his fellow citizens persistently prolonging and repeating the V gesture. I was far too innocent until this night to know all the details of what he was enjoying. World War II started when I was 8 years old (Nazi attack on Poland) and came to a formal conclusion when I was 13. (Signing ceremony on board the USS MISSOURI). Everything I knew about world affairs was received wisdom from my biased grown-up neighbors. Most of them were first or second generation Polish immigrants who all thought that the V for victory sign was entirely a good thing. Was it entirely? Finally I greatly enjoyed Rifleman Dodd's appearance in the South Essex light company. Your reply to a question about him included a better title for his story than the title I read it under. I remember reading some complaints by C.S. Forester about American publishers putting meddlesome and inferior titles on his books. I read a novel about Corporal Dodd called RIFLEMAN DODD. I hope that present and future publishers and film makers treat your work better. What happened to Forester's THE GUN when it was made into a film is unspeakable. They did not do THE AFRICAN QUEEN much harm, though. May your work fare at least as well. And, selfishly, I hope to live to enjoy much more of it. Albert Macek

Dear Mr. Cornwell, how are you? Hope you're doing fine. It's been awhile since I wrote to you, and I've read more of you great works. I just finish reading Fallen Angels, and even though it doesn't really have the same "feelings" as your other books, I enjoyed it very much. I wonder, whether you have plans to write more about the adventures of Le Revenant during the French revolution or the Peninsular war? It would certainly be a heroic epic equals to the Scarlet Pimpernel or the Legend of Zorro. Once again, thank you for writing good stories, and would you please come to this part of the world (South east Asia) sometimes in the future, so your fans here can see you in person. Thanks and cheers, Budi

In 2003 and 4 I read all of the Sharpe Books and enjoyed the series very much. I went on to The Grail Quest before starting the Starbuck Chronicles. I have read your information about why you have not completed the series and was wondering if the next book would be coming in the near future? I am anxious to read your next volumes. Ray Stauffer

Hello Mr Cornwell, I hope your well? After buying the Sharpe box set on DVD recently which is superb! I just had to start reading the novels! I have just finished reading Sharpe's Eagle (which is even better than the tv series) & I thought, do I read the novels in order of year of release i e. Eagle, Gold etc, or do I read them in order of Sharpe's career? Which is the preferrable to follow & also was Sharpe's Justice written by you & is it a book or was it just a tv episode! Because on the box set it has it, but on the list on the web site it doesn't? I know I'm going to spend the next few months buried in your excellent novels thanks! Gary Beadle

First of all, thank you for the books. I've been reading them since I was twelve and loved all of them. My question is actually in regards to George MacDonald Fraser. I notice that you dedicate The Pale Horseman to him and I would be greatly interested to know what you think of the Flashman series. Personally I can't (and won't) pick between the two but it did make me happy to know that you too are a fan. Thank you very much for years of enjoyment and for your amazing storytelling which has inspired a generation to keep reading. Finding a battered copy of Sharpe's Siege in my school library really was the start of a great journey which has so far taken me to Waterloo and hopefully will take me further. thanks again, James.

Two questions I'm afraid, both about Sharpe. I believe the TV series made up two stories on their own. (Mission and Justice) Ever considered writing novels based on them? Secondly, is there a particular reason you have never written about Vimeiro? It is often referred to in later books. Thanks for taken the time to answer these questions. Max