Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell, This is the first time I have ever contacted an author after reading one of his books. I just finished "The Heretic" and loved it. I've also read all your other books and enjoyed them all. I hope you have time to write another American Book. A sequel to Redcoat, a French & Indian War book, or perhaps Sharpe will get his Regiment in America? Thanks so much, Kon Gojnycz

I just wondered if you have ever read "The Walking Drum" by Louis L'amour, and what your thoughts were on it. I love your work Mr. Cornwell. I have your first US editions on my Christmas list every year. The Warlord Chronicles are my favorite. I've read the trilogy twice, and will probably read it again here soon. It's like revisiting old friends when I reread the books. I live in the US, and read your books so much, that I catch myself using the British spelling of words. (colour, favourite, etc.) I just laugh to myself and correct it, and move on with my day. Also, another thing you may find interesting, the password for many of my programs at work and home is "Dervel" (my all-time favo(u)rite charactor...well, he and Kerbouchard from the walking drum.) I hope this email finds you well, and you will have continued success in your writing endevours. Sy

your grail books is absolutely superb !!! my compliments !! next book the poitiers battle ?? please,say yes !! thank you g.a.margaritis chemical engineer n.m.t.u.

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have all the books and all the DVDs but one character who I feel makes the series is Harper. I know it's a long shot asking you but is it possible to give a little more background ie how you think he left Ireland to join the army and what his background would have been before he met Sharpe? Asking a lot isn't it but he was a great inspiration. Barrie Timson

Mr. Cornwell, Do you have any plans to make a Washington, D.C. appearance in the near future? Regards, Beau Ellis

Of all the places Sharpe goes on his travels what would you believe to be the site that is best intact in terms of the events taken place in the book? Jack Upton

Mr. Cornwell, I have enjoyed your historical novels immensely. I recently read the Brigadier Gerard stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and was struck by the similar situation in one of the stories to the band of deserters in Sharpe's Enemy. I was wondering whether Doyle's Brigadier Gerard inspired any of your French characters? It would be interesting if he made a cameo appearance in one of your Sharpe novels. JNR

Sir, At the tender age of 13, in 1970, I discovered the Napoleonic wars through the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Brigadier Gerard. Churchill was right to say that these stories and not those of the Holmes and Watson may be Doyle's finest. Since that time I have enjoyed the many wonderful books about this period. From Doyle i moved to Forester, Kent, O'Brien and many others as well as enjoying the source works of Napier, Marbot and those who were actually part of that epic time. My degree in and life-long love of history no doubt owes much to the under-recognized historical novels of Doyle and so many others that have followed his trail. When i first discovered your books in the late 1980's (during a trip to Canada), Richard Sharp was immediatly added to the ranks of Etienne Gerard, Horatio Hornblower and all the great characters that bring the Napoleonic warrior to life. I am pleased to say that the complete works of Cornwall (even your early sailing stories), sit as equals in my library with my collections of Doyle, Forester and O'Brien. Please forgive this long-winded preamble but it seemed necessary in order to set the stage for my question. I just finished 'Sharp's Escape' and was delighted to see the name of Matthew Dodd appear. Is this the first time you have included a character from another author in the Sharp series? I cannot recall another example. Can we expect Sharp to encounter any other such characters in future? i can only imagine how Sharp and Gerard might see each other were they to cross paths. I am also curious as to when you first encountered Brigadier Gerard and what influence these stories and Doyle's other historical works have had on your writing. Thank you for the many hours of pleasure you have provided this reader and my very best to you in all your future efforts. Douglas Breithaupt Port Townsend, Washington

I was lucky enough to find your first Sharpe's book after reading "Rifleman Dodd" by CS Forrester in the 80s. I've been an avid fan ever since and have read every book with the exception of Sharpe's Prey. I was wondering if it would be possible to see the use of the Girandoni air rifle in one of your future Sharpe's books. I won't say anymore about how it could be used for fear that it would be construed as a plot suggestion and so ruin any chances of it appearing in a future book. If you would like more information on the Girandoni here is an excellent site http://www.beemans.net/Austrian%20airguns.htm. Larry Harris

Mr. Cornwell, I first started reading your Sharpe's series while in high school. I joined the US Marine Corps as a 0311 Rifleman afterward. I am presently serving in Baghdad, Iraq and enjoying your Arthur series in my "spare" time. Throughout the years your writing has inspired me. As a soldier I have found my calling and I thank you for that. I found the comments in The Winter King regarding the mixed thrill and horror of battle the most eloquent expression of my own personal experiences. Thank you for being the voice of "the poor bloody infantry". I had a question about "warrior rings" dark age history fascinates me but I have not been able to find more information on "warrior rings". Is this something of your own invention or did these rings of melted enemy spears exist? Keep up the great work I look forward to it and I have even gotten a few of my comrades to actually read a book thanks to your writing. T.G. Moore CPL USMC Baghdad, Iraq

Hi Bernard, In some recent posts it was explained why a Major General was a lower rank than a Lieutenatnt General i.e. that Major General was originally Sergeant Major General. That cleared that up. But in one of your answers I've read today you list the ranks of General starting with Brigadier General being the lowest with Major General being next. How is this? Isn't a Brigadier higher in rank than both Major/Sergeant Major and Lieutenant. Regards Ed