Your Questions

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

2 very pointless questions I'm afraid, but I'd still like to know your views.... Do you think Wellington learned as much from the events of how we treated American civillians during the war of independence, as much as how the french treated the spanish? Also, do you think he'd have took on board a lot quicker what ww1 allied commanders didn't seem to, that the same plan being used time and again was pointless and was only wasting lives? On a more personal note, my heart and sympathy goes out to the people of London or all those affected by the tragic events on 7/7. Lee

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, Since having read your first Sharpes novel back in 1996, I decided to really get into the series last month (June), and so I ended up purchasing and reading the rest of the series. All I can say is that the books aren't nearly thick enough. I feel as though I were a man who had gone into the desert without water and suddenly happened on and oasis but because I was so very thirsty I drank up all the water and could still not get enough. There is one area of his (Sharpes) life that I feel needed more coverage and that is the period of time during which he joins the Rifles and undergoes their training. In Sharpes prey, there is some mention of certain individuals and how Sharpe gets on their bad side, yet nothing precedes that. Perhaps a book devoted to the time after Trafalgar and before Prey would serve to give us some coverage of that time when he arrives at the 95th rifle Regiments headquarters and then encompass those conflicts between himself and his fellow officers and subordinates. Is their a chance you will do a book about that era? Fred Mannheim

I have a Baker Rifle circa 1805 marked 95th R, 2nd B. This riffle has been handed down in my family and believed to be fisrt held by Ephraim Granger, War of 1812 vetern. I have DeWitt's book and have others who verify this as a Baker. My interest is to determine how it may have made it's way to the USA. In your research/studies found any indication that the 2/95th served in the USA? or other parts of this county? Thanking you in advance. I enjoy your Sharpe book very much. Ed Granger

Dear Bernard I just finished reading Sharpe's Escape bringing me up to date with the series and I wanted to write and say thanks for another wonderful book. I was going to ask about the fate of Rifleman Dodd after his abrupt depature from the South Essex, but found the answer to my question on the FAQ page. I have been living in the US for the past two years and can't wait to get back home to the UK and rejoin the Sharpe Appreciation Society. Hopefully, I will get to one of their conventions in the near future. I am keenly anticipating the next installment in 2007. I was just wondering how long on average it takes you to write a Sharpe novel. Thanks Helena

You are a great story teller. Your accuracy, as far as I can tell, is amazing. Please keep giving your readers names of books and authors to read. I am retired and love to read history. I appreciate you pointed out Jac Weller. Did Muhammad get his idea of Heaven from Valhalla, the corpse hall of Odin? Muhammad must have had Scandinavians fighting with him. Keep up the great work. Dave Richardson