Your Questions

Hi, I'm 15 years old and I'm from Brazil. Here you have a lot of fans of my age and older. Unfortunately your fans from here suffer because there is a lack of your books translated to Portugese. Just this month I was able to buy a book of the Sharpe series, and it take ages for your new books to get here. Can you do something? The Brazilians already have a incompetent president, and a corrupt government, at least they should have good books to read and watch the country go down... Farewell, FMR.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have started reading your Richard Sharpe Series and must say that it is outstanding. It truly is an epic story and I thank you for the enjoyment I have received from reading it. I have a question however pertaining to the conflict that was occuring in the United States at the same time as Napoleon was ravishing Europe. I hope you may be able to help. Not much is written on the War of 1812, or at least written where I can get my hands on it. My question is about the Battle of Chippewa, which in a way, was the true birth of the Amreican Army, For it was the first time U.S. Regulars had met and broke a Bayonet charge in true Napoleonic fashion agaisnt True regulars, Spawning the phrase from the British commander, "Those are Regulars By God!" So, my question is this, how exactly is this feat portrayed in popular British history? I also have a random somewhat flippent question. How do you think the out come of the battle would differ if Wellington Had opposed General Scott on July 5th, 1814 on the Banks of the Chippewa river? I was just wondering about your personal thoughts and if you could help, and to let you know that I will always be a fan from here on out. Thank you for your wonderful masterpiece that is the Sharpes Series. Brandon

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

Dear Bernard, I am a big fan of your work, so as you can imagine I share your enthusiasm for military history. I am studying law at the moment(don't tell Sharpe) and am considering a dissertation about military law particularly in the redcoat era. Could you recommend any reading that may be of use to me, or any libraries in the UK that may hold any helpful information? Can't wait till The Pale Horseman, and must congratulate you on Fallen Angels, and a Coat of Arms which I finally found a few weeks ago after a marathon search. Neil

Dear Mr Cornwell, Just a small question regarding the excellent Sharpe's Escape - where did you find the name "Ferragus"? It's not a very common Portuguese name. Thanks for your attention, António Rodrigues Afonso Lisbon, Portugal

Dear Mr. Cornwell, HI, I am 14 and am really enjoying your Richard Sharpe series. Historical Fiction is my favorite genre of books and you have really hit the nail on the head. I really like the mix of fact and fiction in the books. I haven't made much of a dent yet in the series, as I have only read Sharpe's Tiger and am in the middle of Sharpe's Triumph. However, I am happy about that for that means that I have many good books to look forward to. I have just a couple of questions for you. 1) Do you recommend reading the Sharpe series in the chronological order that you have posted, or in the order that you wrote them? 2) Every now and again I have become confused with the different ranks in the army in Sharpe's time. I have researched them, attempting to find a list of highest to lowest rank (in the army) and what each rank commands (if anything). My reasearch has been fruitless and I was wondering if you could tell me the order of the different ranks, and which each rank commands. Thanks very much for your time, and for the great Sharpe series that I am enjoying reading! Kevin Guckian

I continue to enjoy all of your books especially the Sharpe series. One of your readers asked about Americans who served in the Napoleonic wars. I just learned from Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton that one of his sons served under Lord Wellington. He then returned to the United States and onto another career. In many ways Sharpe would have liked Alexander Hamilton who also came from illegitimate birth, was a brave soldier, rose in the ranks through competence, had his share of scandals, and created resentment as he rose in rank. Sharpe however, would have survived a duel with Aaron Burr and not have wasted his shot. Howard Zlotnick