Your Questions

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

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I have just finished reading Gallows Thief and an excellent read it is too!. A small question for you, in the book you mention a couple of times that a Rifle officer helps out Rider when Rider is reflecting on his past missions/battles. Would the Rifle officer be Sharpe?, or just any old Rifle officer?. Many thanks for the excellent read. Regards, Gary Barrowcliffe

I've been seeing references in the "Your Questions" section regarding an article in the Daily Telegraph about your upbringing. For the benefit of your U.S. fans who would like to know more about you, do you know how we could access a copy of this article? Thanks so much! Beverly Fontaine

Bernard For the life of me I can not remember where I read it...but is there an autobiography or biography of you that is soon to be or as been published? As I have all your books and I can clearly relate to your religious philosophy (as expressed in the Grail Books). I do not want to miss this one&my concerned is based on the fact that sometimes in the USA we do not have access to your books until well after the fact. Furthermore as a professor of history at a small college in Mississippi , USA; I require my students to read any of the three 'Arthur Books' and write a paper on the book explaining several facets of literature and history. Thanks John Switzer

I enjoyed Gallows Thief. Will you be writing other stories or make this a series in the near future? Thanks, Butch

Good Afternoon Mr Cornwell I have just finished reading the Sharpe and Grail quest series, both I equally enjoy, but must confess Dick Sharpe is a mean SOB. I was wondering if you had ever thought of a Naval character or series to write about? I know there as author's like C.S Forresters and Patrick O'brians books about but they aren't writing anymore. I am sure there would be a following for series like that. Many Thanks Marcus

Greetings Mr. Cornwell: I have read all the Sharpe's and have the DVD collection, will we ever be able to view-buy the Sharpes War 4 part collection here in the US? I hope you will consider having them Closed Captioned for those of us, Hearing Impaired. I am almost finished with "Winter King" and look forward to the other two of the Triolgy. Regards, Don Wishnow Philadelphia Pa.

Mr. Cornwell, I have never written to an author before although I am an avid reader. I read your Arthur books a few years ago and loved them! Recently found the Sharpe T.V. series at the library and picked it up for my four teenaged sons. I am hooked! Just finished the first three India books and have been searching the net trying to find out what order these books are in! Thank you so much for posting it. I'm off to the Library to pick up Trafalgar now but I just wanted to thank you for this series. I do have one question however. Why do the women in the books so far (and his second wife in the show) betray him? Not to be overly romantic but what woman doesn't want a man with a true heroes heart whatever his faults. I must admit that my boys are shocked that I find him a wonderfully heroic figure when he often seems morally bankrupt. We have had some great discussions about what shapes the people we become and what responsibily we have in aiming beyond our upbringing. (My children are adopted and all have come from horribly abusive situations.) This series has also spurred an interest in them for European history and we have begun a timeline and maps to trace this time period. Again Thank You! Deborah

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Although you so often hear it, I will add my voice to those who have proclaimed you among their favorite authors. I have read most of your books, first becoming aquainted with Sharpe on the occasion of a birthday gift from my librarian mother many years ago. An association she inferred, I am sure, from my fondness for Hornblower in my childhood. What really sets you apart, however, is your fine attention to detail - historical, cultural, visual - and how it so completely engulfs readers in your character's trials and triumphs among historical events. Events often heard and wondered about in dry abstraction, but here lived with a wonderful wet immediacy. You are often compared to O'Brien or Forester. I won't say one is better than another. I will say that you are the only author which I will not hesitate to purchase off the shelf of the local bookseller; knowing full well that I am in for a grand time, and will probably learn something in the bargain. That said, two questions: Are there differences between the U.K. and American editions of your books - the one I know of is the title to "The Archer's Tale" - but have there been other differences in text? and Are you read much by the French? Do the poor French have any authors willing to cast them as anything other than the hapless recipients of Britain's might? Many thanks for many hours of brilliant storytelling. --Andrew Cox Stavros

Hi Bernard, Just a quick question if you don't mind. I've noticed that in almost all your series that there is some narrative on the local bird population, plus there is Harper's well known love and knowledge of birds. I was wondering if bird watching was a passion of yours? If it is, and following on from other invitations you have had on this site, then next time you are over in England give me a shout and I'll take you to view the Osperys on Bassentwaite Lake as I'm a keen ornithologist myself. Regards Ed.

Dear Bernard, Whilst browsing through Hatchards website I noticed that you are due to appear there on the 4th of October to sign copies of your new book the Pale Horseman. Can you confirm that this is correct and whether this will form part of a UK book tour? Apologies if this appears premature, however, I have enjoyed your booksignings in the past and want to ensure that I don't miss out. Many thanks and best wishes, Steven