Your Questions

Hello Bernard, I must say I do feel a bit silly contacting you like this as I am not sure if you reply and even if I get one that you will be the one writing it. No offence I mean you must get loads of people writing and so may not be able to reply to all. Just dropping a quick note to say how much I enjoy your Sharpe novels. They are in a league of their own. I am so pleased that they are always available for me to buy whenever I walk in to a book shop. Not many of my friends at school read your novels but I think they are awesome!!!! I love the image of Richard Sharpe and it is even better as there are not many images of him so it leaves his appearance to your own imagination. I sometimes get confused about the ranking system in the British army so I was wondering if you could maybe help me out in your reply. Battalions, regiments, companies and platoons, it all gets very confusing. Harper is the mosty brillaint sidekick ever and would not want to annoy him in the slightest. Overall the characters, plots, desrciption and style of your writing is second to none. As the Napoleonic period is my favourite I am really keen to read all the books I can. My only critiscism is that in many of the Sharpe books the detalils of him are repeated. For example his sword, I know this is for the new readers so they can get an understanding but it can be annoying for "experts" as I like to call myself. Well I have to go now and hope you can find the time to reply, With thanks Richard J Raban- Williams

Do you regret killing off Sgt Hawkeswill so early in your books ? Might you feel tempted to write another Sharpe with that wonderful anti hero included ? (He says hopefully.) I have enjoyed your books for many years, with particular reference to Sharpe and The Grail quest. But I can`t help wondering what Sgt Hawkeswill might have got up to. Graham Smith

Mr. Cornwell, I've been a longtime fan of Sharpe, Derfel and the rest and, as a result of this site (and quotes on the book jackets), I've been introduced to a number of other authors who keep me constantly entertained. I'd simply like to ask whether the quotes on Conn Iggulden's 'Gates of Rome' and Simon Scarrow's 'Under the Eagle' were really your words? I'd kind of like to think that they were; particularly as they were probably the determining factor in my purchasing these excellent novels and there sequels. I'd also be interested to know what, if anything, you think of Matthew Hervey, Allan Mallinson's officer of Light Dragoons? Dominic Mulholland

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

I was wondering if Susanna Clarke's 'Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell' is your type of reading - it has a magical account of the peninsula war. Becki

For want of something to read recently I turned to the Starbuck Chronicles. I've had them for sometime but because of comments from other readers wanting more I had put off starting them. Well they were brilliant, the battle scenes up there with the best you have written. So Mr C get on with some more PLEEEASE. Also I noticed in The Bloody Ground a mention of one General Hooker of whom I once read some trivia. General Hooker used to cart around on campaign a wagonload of shall we call them 'Loose women'. Whenever anyone asked who these women were the troops replied 'They're Hookers' hence the term came to the American language. Not sure how much truth there is in it but it's a good story. Speaking of language I couldn't but notice the American spelling in the Starbuck books. Does the language differ depending about what you have written (Sharpe, Archer Arthur etc were all in UK English) or was the bookstore I got them from ill supplied? Do you write being based in America in US or UK English and you rely on the publishers to supply the correct version to wherever? Congratulations on the award in Canada I agree you are too young for a lifetime award, much too much living and writing to do (Starbuck for instance). A Knighthood at least would be much better and much more merited than some who have had them. Changing the subject completely do you see England reviving under Captain Wilkinson? Now there's a name for a character and he must have a razor edge to his sword. Regards as ever Nigel James

I'm currently hooked on the Grail Quest series. Hsve you ever considered including an overall map for each book? a reference glossary for technical or foreign words? a detailed map for each battle? Bernard Bloom

Bernard, I have read many of your books and I have to say that they are amazing. But I'd like to know if you have read any of the Alain Lausard books by Richard Howard and what you think of them if you had. Keep up the good work!!!! Matthew Booker

Mr Cornwell: Have read all your books, they are very popular among my Marine friends at Camp Lejeune. I recommend them to my students so they can gain the flavor of history such as what life was like in the Napoleanic era English Army and the days of Arthur. Would suggest perhaps, since you use several terms which are common to a particular era, or a technologism, but now are out of date, have a library page. I am reading The Heretic and cannot find a reference for the word "nakerer." Assume it has something to do with drums, but cannot find an English dictionary reference. You keep writing, I'll keep reading. Ron Bower

Dear Bernard, I have recently started to buy your books to make myself a collection. Inside your books I am able to see what books comes next. The ones I have so far are the same material and kind of design. I went to buy Sharpe's Rifles (The book after Prey) I found that the front cover was a totally different design and material to how the other books are. I was just wondering why this is? Because my collection looks abit odd with this one odd front cover. If you could answer me it would be great, Many Thanks. Annie