Your Questions

Q

Mr Cornwell, I just finished reading the Sharpe series and it occured to me that Sharpe has not taken revenge on Captain Murray who flogged him in India. It would be interstering to know if you plan to have Sharpe kill him. Regards, Joe

Submitted August 23, 2005

A

Maybe. I honestly don't know. Until I write the books I rarely know what will happen.

Q

Dear Bernard In regard to your Stabuck novels will he ever go up against Grant in the Overland campaign ??? And after reading Chancelorsville by Stephen Sears and his take on Joe Hooker's role. I wondered what you thought. Was he ill served by poor subordinates or Did Hooker snatch defeat from the jaws of victory??? btw can I recommend Glory Enough for All by Eric Wittemberg about the battle of Trevalian Station where hereto the invicilble Phil Sheridan who had killed Jeb Stuart and beat the Southern Cavalry several times met his match in Wade Hampton. A truly epic fight whose consqeuences argubly lengthed the war longer than it would have been. regards Geraint

Submitted August 23, 2005

A

I hope Starbuck survives that long . . . and I have to confess I haven't read Sears on Chancerlorsville, which I should, because he's a brilliant historian - I'd trust his verdict!

Q

Bernard, I loved "Scoundrel"! I enjoy all your books! My question: Is there or will there be a sequel to that book. The ending seems to set the reader up for a sequel. Thanks in advance, Thomas

Submitted August 23, 2005

A

Glad to know you enjoyed the book Thomas. No sequel is in the plans at the moment.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell After re-reading the entire Sharpe series yet again, I was wondering what ever happened to the long suffering Major Forrest of the South Essex? I cant seem to find any mention of his death/absence/departure or will this be covered in the future? Many thanks and keep up the good work. P.S I saw in an interview somwhere that you havent read Sharpes Eagle since it was published. The story still rattles along nicely and the book is one of my favourites! Hugh

Submitted August 23, 2005

A

I think it will be covered in the future . . .

Q

Dear Sir I have just this moment read on yahoo movies that another Sharpe is going to be filmed. Is this true and if so which book is it or is it a story specially made for TV? many thanks, Simon, a avid fan

Submitted August 23, 2005

A

Yes, it does seem to be true. Right now word is that filming will take place in India beginning this fall. The film, to be called 'Sharpe's Challenge', is an
original screenplay written for this project.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. As a historian I would like to ask some advice from the author that inspired my coursework. Here is the question "War has been the great engine of technological advance." Disuss with reference to the history of any period you have studied. I'm going to study the period featured in the Sharpe books roughly 1795-1815 and wanted some advice about sources as I'm having some difficulty in researching technologly from that period particularly some of the weapons featured in the books. I have tired the local libraiy and found nothig very useful and the internet doesn't seem to be helping either. I have also checked coursework instructions carefully and advice for coursework is allowed even from a great. Yours Sincerely, Willliam Bray P.s I think your books are wonderful and gripping!

Submitted August 17, 2005

A

I'm not certain how much it was a war of technological advance - off the top of my head I can't think of very much. The French developed synthetic saltpetre to make gunpowder and, more usefully, tinned food. There were, of course, endless proposals for balloons and submarines, but nothing came of them until the peace. The British came up with the carronade, but nothing revolutionary there, and they invented shrapnel. The basic weapons at Waterloo (apart from shrapnel) were much the same as those that went to war in 1793. They'd been refined, of course, but not revolutionised. I could be wrong, but is this the war that proves the exception?

Q

Mr. Cornwell, Just wondering if you have read any of Steven Pressfield's novels? If so what do you think of them?
David D.

Submitted August 17, 2005

A

I fear I haven't - another gap in my education.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, First of all, I love the Sharpe books, though I must admit I resisted reading the ones set earlier than "Sharpe's Rifles" because there was no Harper. I write to ask some advice. I too write, both for a newspaper and freelance for a host of magazines, mostly history-- my first love. For the longest time, I have been developing a character that I hope would be the protagonist young army officer in a series set in the American Revolution. No problem there. My problem is that I have a hard time writing of the British as the enemy. I lived for a time in the UK, was once engaged to a woman in Yorkshire (still the love of my life), and have a deep and abiding love of the British people. You've created sympathetic French characters, but still they're still the enemy. Maybe, though, you never had such feelings for the French as I do for the British. At any rate, I'm putting that project on hold and am now fleshing out a character and plot set during the French and Indian War. Any thoughts on the subject would be most welcome. Cordially, Ray Chandler Clemson, South Carolina USA

Submitted August 17, 2005

A

The main thing I learned as a writer of military historical fiction is that the protagonist's enemies are almost all on his own side! Part of that is the constraint of plotting - a French enemy is rarely close to Sharpe, so to keep the story bubbling it's much easier to have a villain like Hakeswill in his own army. As for not hating the enemy - why not make it a feature of the series? It was, after all, a civil war - many Americans fought for the British - so brother can fight brother. And you have the French to play around with - they were, after all, the largest army in the theatre by the war's end, so PLENTY of villains there! A good project - and good luck!

Q

Mr. Cornwell, You sir, are a marvelous storyteller. While difficult to pick the best series, the three grail quest stories have to be at or near the top. Any thoughts about Wales or Ireland as scenes for future books? I wish you a long life, as long as you keep writing wonderful books. Bill McConville

Submitted August 17, 2005

A

They're not on the radar at the moment - but never say never!

Q

Can you please tell me were on earth does Sharpe's Misson and Sharpe's Justice fit in. Becasue I have only found that Sharpe's Revenge, Waterloo and Devil as the last three. Digby Evans

Submitted August 17, 2005

A

The two Sharpe films, 'Sharpe's Mission' and 'Sharpe's Justice' are not based on any of my books but were written by screenwriters for the TV series. In the order of the films I believe 'Mission' comes after 'Sharpe's Siege' and 'Justice' after 'Sharpe's Revenge'.