Your Questions

Q

Hello Mister Cornwell I was wondering what books you think highly of? Zeke Redwine

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

Many books - too many to mention them all - but C.S.Forester's Hornblower books had a great impact on me as a teenager and introduced me to the Napoleonic era. I also read Alfred Duggan and Rafael Sabatini. And John Keegan's The Face of Battle has probably had the most influence on me as a writer of historical fiction.

Q

What is the efficacious word? Also, are you a Red Sox fan? Jonathan

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

The efficacious word begins with F. It has 4 letters. Of course I'm a Red Sox fan and we hate the New York Yankees who are, it must be admitted, very efficacious.

Q

The Sharpe books are thrilling. Thank you for many happy hours. Any plans for future Sharpe books? Many thanks! Iain Harvey

I heard a rumor recently that you are planning to have Sharpe spend his next adventure in Halifax and that there will be a return of Obadiah Hakeswill (despite his apparent 'execution'). Is there any truth to these? David

Hello Mr. Cornwell! I fear I am not the only one who asked you the following question: Is there another Sharpe-Book after "Sharpe's Escape"? And if, when could I buy it? :-) I'm a great fan of your books from Germany. They are my reason to learn the english language. Indeed! Stefan Theile

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have been a great fan of the Sharpe books for many years now and seeing that you've written 20 Novels on his Adventures now will you being stopping or will we being seeing more of Richard Sharpe on the shelves after Sharpe's Escape? Neil Stevens

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

No truth at all to Sharpe being in Halifax! I'm sure he'd love to go there (nice place), but a severe lack of French enemies. As for Hakeswill? No! But perhaps he had a twin brother? There will be more Sharpe books - but probably not for a year or two.

Q

What do you think the outcome would have been if Wellington had been in charge of the British forces in America during the War of 1812? Jonathan Mullins

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

Much the same (though he would never have fought New Orleans). He was offered the job (in 1814), but turned it down - he was always opposed to the war and said he would accept the North American command only if he was positively ordered to take it, and only if he was left free to negotiate a peace with the Americans! He was, incidentally, a great admirer of George Washington and kept a portrait of Washington in his country house. His belief, as I understand it, was that the USA was simply too big for the small forces the British had committed - what did it matter if you burned Washington DC? It achieved nothing except give the White House its name, and the Americans simply retreated into the vast hinterland and the British didn't have nearly enough men to follow them (because it would have meant garrisoning every town on the way to protect the supply lines). He was much too sensible to fight in so vast a country.

Q

Greetings Mr. Cornwell; I will get right to the point, if I may sir. In your book, " The Archer's Tale" which I read a while back, I believe the "Black Prince" knights Willam Skeat on the battlefield. Do you know sir, if an archer was ever really knighted in the middle ages? and if so whom and by whom? An Avid Reader of your medeival books Robert Laiche

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

I know some were - but they had risen to command companies by then. I'd have to rake back through my notes to find the reference, and I will when I have time - but yes, it did happen.

Q

Hi Bernard, Just halfway through The Last Kingdom.. Awwww smashing, I don't know how you do it but I'm sure glad you do. However is there a tiny little error in this book? Look at page 169 third paragraph.Quote .... but it was late in the day and the sun was in his men's eyes, or so they said afterwards, and King AEthelred, like Aurthur,...??? What's Aurthur doing in this book? ooops. Keep up the good work mate Uhtred is turning out every bit as good a character as Derfel. regards, Tony Henry

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

Oh gawd. Thankyou. Oh dear, I did actually run a spell-check looking for Arthur and thought I'd found every one (three), but that fourth one slipped through. Yuk. There are also misprints on the dedication page, p. 66 and page 166 - the word should be araed.

Q

Bernard (excuse the familiarity) Do you intend to revise the published Sharpe books when they are reprinted to remove inconsistencies? For example in Sharpe's Eagle in chapter 14, Sharpe states that he has never met General "Daddy" Hill when he had a conversation with his a few weeks before on the roof of the Seminary in Oporto (Sharpe's Havoc). I expect others have raised these before and to be honest its the first I have found as I re-read the entire Sharpe canon. As I do when a new book is published. Regards Gary (Burgess)

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

Perhaps - it is a possibility - but not until the series is finished, which won't be for at least a few more years.

Q

Could you please tell me the order of the tv series? Thank you. Craig Waddle

Submitted October 19, 2004

A

Here is the order of the Sharpe films:

Rifles
Eagle
Company
Enemy
Honour
Gold
Battle
Sword
Regiment
Siege
Mission
Revenge
Justice
Waterloo

Q

Hi, I was just wondering what book you are working on now? Brendan

Submitted October 15, 2004

A

I'm working on the follow-up to The Last Kingdom. The book may have the title The Shadow Queen - although that could change.

Q

Dear Mr.Cornwell I started reading the Sharpe books last year in order starting with Sharpe's Tiger. I am now finished with Sharpe's Company and just wanted to know how did Sergent Hakeswill escape from the snake pit in Sharpe's Fortress? Nick Allen-Stewart

Submitted October 15, 2004

A

The snakes wouldn't touch him! He survived. He couldn't be killed (says so in the scriptures). If you were a snake, would you bite him?