Your Questions

Thank you for one of the most exciting, breathtaking reads in many a moon. STORMCHILD is, indeed, a gripping tale, especially Parts 1 and 2. However, Tim's heroic exploits in Part 3 I found a bit too far fetched, i.e., exhausted, blood spilling from his boots, in driving rain, was able to carry a trussed up "bad guy" and stuff him into an 18"X4' crevice together with himself and Jackie...??? Uh, uh, or did I miss something? Also, never felt comfortable with his daughter as the main bad guy. Tim tells us "Nickle" is trying to kill him to prove she's a "better sailor". What does automatic weapons fire have to do with seamanship? But, bottom line, you're one hell of a gifted writer. When can we expect another exciting sea yarn? Frank Farmer Long Beach, CA

Mr Cornwell, I am an avid fan of your works and must first congratulate you on every single one of them. My favourites would have to be the Starbuck Chronicles though. When will we see another? I realise that you have started a new series of books, and that they will ocupy most of your time for a good while, but please please please please spare a thought for the many many Starbuck fans out there. I have heard that they may be dramatised by US TV into a sort of "Mini-Series" not disimilar to the Sharpe television series, but I fear this is not true can you confirm? Also is Patrick Lassan the son of Sharpe. (His father was an english Infantary soldier, Sharpes son was/is called Patrick after his best friend patrick Harper, ect)? many thanks keep up the wonderful work. ps more Rider Sandman if you get time.(but not a the price of Starbuck) /Gareth Jameson

Dear Bernard, I've read everything you've written and for some reason ended up with the Starbuck series, which I finished last night. I now have withdrawal symptoms; you have left Nate in the air.We all want to know what happens to him and Pecker, Belvedere and Lt. Gillespie, he of the croton oil. As a result of the books I bought the dvd's of Gods and Generals and Gettysburg. Starbuck and Gettysburg what a team. I'm sure all these e mails deny you writing time, but do please let us know about Nate. Lee Menzies . London

Mr Cornwell, I am writing simply to thank you, for the countless hours of joy I get from reading your work, however Mrs Hickman may feel like a Cornwell widow and beg to differ. I look forward to your next work eagerly . yours sincereley Neil Hickman. P.S is there any chance of finding out anything else about the fate of Nathaniel Starbuck?

Dear Sir: I've now read 27 of your books including all of the Sharpe's books and I have a simple question. Did you kill Hakeswill twice? I seem to remember being killed by an elephant in India and then again in Spain. Thank you, love your books. Paul Papadakis

Dear Mr Cornwell Would that I had possessed the funds and the timing to have saved us all from that "King Arthur' film debacle. For years I've fantacized about acquiring the funding to shoot your version of the Arthurian saga, but now we are left with this watered down pitiful version which, thankfully, came and went with nary a ripple in the waters of the cinematic art. I'm ploughing through the Sharpe books at the moment and was a little confused at the apparent death and then re-apperance of Hawkeswill, the sudden loss of the Sarah character and some other little idiosyncratic anomolies, until I took the time to look at the publishing dates of the individual books in the series. Ahah, said I, all is well. I'm just curious why you created the series and then went back to fill in certain gaps in the timeline of the Napoleonic wars? Not that it matters. This is just a very long winded way of letting you know that I love your work and look forward to each new book with high anticipation. I just discovered "Scoundrel" which I will read when Sharpe is at his destination, wherever that turns out to be. Rest assured that if I ever find the necessary backers, Pendragon will see the light of projectors. Best wishes, Mick Fowler

'but perversely a lieutenant-general outranked a major-general. Weird but true'....the origin is it was sergant major-general at the bottom of the generals pile. Lieutenant-general was the the lieutenant to the general, same a lieutenant to a captain. Also somewhere before there was a mention of cr*p hats being military police. I was told it was slang for anyone other than a para. IE they cr*p on the hats of troops below! My question is why is Harper never offered a commison? Yes he is Irish in the British army but does Lawford say he would make a good officer? But hey he got rich in the end! Thank you for the entertaining books. Rhydian Evans

With regards to the query as why does a Lt. General outrank a Major general, the reason is that the correct term is Sargeant Major general. Peter Brown

Dear sir, tis the last time I'll bother you for a wee while, I promise!! just some more questions concerning Sharpe...... Was you ever tempted to reward Harper by making him an Ensign? or was that too unlikely because of him being from Ireland? or even there was no way you could keep him at Sharpe's side?! Also... were you tempted to use Lady Anne in other Sharpe adventures or after the break-up of Sharpe and Jane? As she appeared to have been quietly disappointed to find Sharpe had got together with Jane!! Can't wait for 2007 sir even though I'll be 30 by then, sorry to constantly be a pest, once again..... thank you!! Lee

Mr. Cornwell, I am a new fan to your Sharpe novels, but I have almost read them all. As a former infantryman in the U.S. Army, I wanted to say that I really enjoy Sharpe. You really have a grasp of the mind of the common soldier, and this is the important link (to me) that keeps the pages turning. I was intrigued by the American, Rifleman Taylor. I just wanted to ask if there were a lot of Americans who had, one way or the other, wound up in Wellington's Army? There has not been a lot of resources at my disposal to find this information. I realize you are a busy man, but I would be thrilled just to hear what you have to say. Sincerely, David DeForest

Marvellous books, the lot of `em....i`ve had the pleasure of reading `em all several times over.......bar the american civil war ones.............i`ll get there eventually. Can`t wait for the next "alfred" in october. Now i`ve got one little question...i know Sean Bean was a big influence in making the Tv series so popular.......... & i just wondered if he`d had any sort of influence on your good self???.....specifically if he managed to convert you into a "Blade"!!!...........Sean being a mad Sheffield United fan....as...er (cough)... coincidently i am too!!!............would it be too much to ask that my favourite author be a Blade too!!! :-) Al Roberts

I've read every Sharpe my fav's being Regiment andHonor, which ones got the the best response in general from the public? Best wishes-Bruce

My best regards Mr. Cornwell. I hope that my English will be suitable enough for this little... maybe to say it... letter. First, I'd like to say that I admire your work very much. I read the Arthurian novels and I was encharmed. Never since "Taiko" and "Musashi" I've read something so beautiful. I'm looking forward to read some Sharpe novels or Grailquest, but not after I finish my Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath". In this context, here comes my second thought and question. Which are the authors that gave you greatest influence? Currently I'm not writing, although I have some artistic attempts. I'm mostly reading. and I'm greatly influenced by authors like Hemmingway, Heller, Steinbeck, Jack Kerouac. They are influence not just on my artistic "lurches", but on my person and cultural knowledge as well. It will be very nice if you point me some authors that have influenced you. I know that this may sound odd, but I was really encharmed by your novels and I said myself that such a historical buff (sorry if this insults you) like you, couldn't exist without being influenced himself by some great authors. I'll really apreciate your advice. The third question is what your opinion on the modern fantasy literature. I'm not speaking about Tolkien, but yet in my opinion there are many authors which deserve some consideration. In the context - what is your opinion of the modern "phenomenon" - Harry Potter books. Have you read them? As a whole question have you read any fantasy novels? Are you influenced by them as well? The fourth question is less standard. I love the Japanese culture. For me Eiji Yoshikawa and his novels - "Taiko", "Musashi" and "Heike" are something incredible. Although in my homeland Bulgaria - the translation was poor - it was something outstanding. If you haven't read him - I certainly propose you to do it as soon as possible. He is outstanding author. In the context, if you like and are interested in the Japanese culture (like me), dare if I ask if you intend to write such novel or series? With your excellent writing and history knowledge, I do not doubt in the quality of such project. Best Regards: Chavdar Likov