Your Questions

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

I am hoping there are going to be more books in the Starbuck Chronicles , if yes when can expect to see them as their are only so many times I can read the original 4. Richard Hill

Dear Sir Could you please let me know if you will be writing anymore stories on the starbuck series?
James Swift

Submitted August 16, 2005

A

I do plan to get back to Starbuck one day. Sorry, I don't know right now when that day will be.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have recently started reading your novels of Arthur and I found 'The Winter King' a brilliant read. My Father has read most of your Sharpe novels and many others that you have written so I decided to give them ago about a year ago. The first book I read was 'The Last Kingdom' which I adored and I cannot wait for 'The Pale Horseman' in October. I am currently 17 years of age and was wondering if many people my age read your books and contact you? Thank you for your time. Joseph John Bayliss.

Submitted August 16, 2005

A

I do hear from people your age and younger - just recently I received a message from a 12 year old. It is always a delight to hear from my young readers!

Q

My name is Gail Clough, and I am writing to thank you for all the hours of enjoyment you have given me and my husband via your Richard Sharpe novels. We are in the process of re-reading all of them in order, and are completely enthralled. The India series is unforgettable, Sharpe's Tiger, is my favorite book, thank you so much for writing such compelling, historically authentic literature. Have you any plans to continue the Sharpe saga, please? My husband and I would both love to hear of Sharpe's adventures in America (I am sure we are not alone considering the world-wide appeal of your work). Does he meet up with Simone Joubert? Reclaim his American investments, the ones made for Jane by Lord Rossingdale? Does he invent the Sharpe's repeating rifle? I beg your pardon for all the questions, and apologize for the impertinence, but the Sharpe stories are so compelling, we want more! How about some more films, too? It's too late to stop now! Thank you for your time and attention. Joseph and Gail Clough

Dear Bernard, You have provided me with hours of enjoyment reading the sharpe series of books and I am now determined to learn more of the penninsular campaign and visit the sites of the battles, thanks to you. Do you have any plans to write more about the heroic Mister Sharpe? Kind Regards Keith

Anything about a new Richard Sharpe book ? I am on my 3rd read of the complete series to date and await his next bold adventure. As a fellow officer up from the ranks, his adventures bring back fond memories of how things were back when. Also your Revolutionary War stories could be expanded. Interesting reading on both sides of the pond. Sejnd the hero south to Cow Pens. Any information would be appreciated. Semper Fi. Jack Burke Capt of Marines / Retired

Submitted August 16, 2005

A

I do plan more Sharpe books - although a new one isn't in the works at the moment. There may, however, be a new Sharpe film in the works by the end of this year. We'll post all the details when we get them.

Q

Hello Bernard Cornell. I have enjoyed your books a lot, and have one question and an invitation. First, the joy of battle - that feeling that you have used for R Sharpe, Uhtred, Derfel and others - that overwhelming sensation when everything around you slows down, when you have all the time in the world to move and look around you. Has that happened to you? I have experienced it twice, and can only say it is a joy that is remembered all your life. I'm a 58 year old former U.S. Marine and you are the only person I have read that describes that transformation so well. I figured that you had experienced it yourself. I now work for the U.S. Navy in Fallon, Nevada, training Navy, USMC and Army Special Forces in desert ground maneuvers. If you and your wife ever travel this way (60 miles east of Reno on U.S. 50) and care for a tour of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center and the surrounding desert, please contact me. Best Regards, John Kirch

Submitted August 16, 2005

A

I fear it's almost all imagination and 'borrowing' from the memoirs of warriors like yourself. The only times I saw action were as a journalist and I was mighty glad to survive - but came away with a renewed admiration for the professional soldiers who had saved my precious butt.
Thanks for the invitation - I do hope to take you up on it some day.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, In the warlord trilogy, Enemy of God, Derfel lists the numerous dead.(page4) but at the end of Excalibur some of the main characters survive. In the story Derfel mentions they die later, but Nimue survives, and we don't know what happens to her. I am currently reading The Last Kindom, another great read. Darren North

Submitted August 12, 2005

A

I don't think there's a problem here - he's writing this in old age, and many of the characters will have died after the events described in Excalibur.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, Recently I boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise slated to head to Bermuda. Unfortunately Mother Nature forced the RC suits to steer us to Canada. Well, I forgot to pack the book I wanted to read on the cruise so I visited the on-ship general store & came across "Stormchild". I must be honest, I am not a hardcore book reader, nor have I ever heard of you before. But I had a book in my hand, spotted the "Stormchild" cover, then read the back...sounded like my taste. So I opted for "Stormchild". Turns out that I didn't have much reading time at sea, but started it & wanted to read more. I finished when we returned home & must say, that "Stormchild" may be the best book that I have ever read. Thank you. I felt strongly for the characters, especially Tim & Jackie & I was touched by the ending lines. I have two questions; -Has there ever been any talk of putting this on film? And, which one of your other titles would you recommend to me, keeping in mind that I like stories of the sea, sailing, & adventure? Thank you again. And I will strongly recommend "Stormchild" to others. Sincerely, Jack Santos Pt. PLeasant Beach, NJ

Submitted August 12, 2005

A

No talk of putting the book to film, but I'm glad to know you liked it. You may also enjoy the other sailing books (click on the link to your right for 'The Thrillers') - Wildtrack, Sealord, Crackdown, and Scoundrel.

Q

I never thought I would find a series that I liked better than the Sharpe books - until I listened to The Archer's Tale. However, I got a bit confused. I listened to the book on tape - and went back to the first tape twice, but still didn't catch on. How did you get from Thomas' father - the richest man in Hookton, who whipped Thomas for making a bow. Then, all of a sudden, Thomas was the bastard son of the noble priest. Were the 2 descriptions of the same father? Did I miss a transition? Please help me resolve this question. I love all your books. Keep them coming. Terry Hoye

Submitted August 12, 2005

A

Not all of a sudden - he was always the priest's son - yes, Daddy did a naughty (not uncommon), and though his father is the wealthiest man in Hookton, wealth in that village is relative.

Q

What is an auroch? you mention it in Stonehenge. Karsten Hansen

Submitted August 10, 2005

A

The auroch is a species of wild cattle (cows, bulls) which is now extinct. I believe the last wild auroch was killed in Poland in the 18th Century. They were huge! Vast! Not your everyday moo-cow, but a hulking great wild beast that could gut you with a swing of a horn. We do have auroch skeletons, and one college in either Oxford or Cambridge has a drinking horn made from an auroch's horn - a huge thing.