Your Questions

Q

Why is the US release date of Last Kingdom several months later than in the UK? Will it be a different version? (BTW, I went ahead and ordered it from Amazon.ca for US shipment, so it is possible to get it in the US in October anyway). -Mark

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

It is the decision of the US publisher to publish the book later in the US than in the UK (and now it looks like the publication date will be in February not January 2005). It will be the same version of the book The Last Kingdom.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell. First, the pleasantries. I am a keen a reader of your books and enjoy them enormously. I particularly favour the warlord trilogy and would dearly love to seem them televised. I don't know if you've had the misfortune of seeing 'king Arthur' at the cinema recently. Any way, my main question relates to Alexander the Great. I noticed that a film following his engagements is due for release and I would like to read up on the historic details without having to pour over a history text book. One of the main reasons I enjoy your books so much is due to the historic relevance which is contained in exciting stories. Is there an Author that you can recommend who will give me insight and enjoyment from the adventures of Alexander the Great? Many thanks, Jack McCarthy

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

I can't recommend any, because I haven't really read any - for some reason Alexander the Great isn't on my radar, so I've never taken any great interest in him. Sorry. Perhaps someone else can make a recommendation?

In an October 1 posting, Jack McCarthy asked for suggestions for a book on Alexander the Great. I recommend "The Virtues of War" by Steven Pressfield, which is due to be published on October 19. It is written in the first person, as Alexander tells his own story. Pressfield is one of the few authors I would compare with Cornwell for his ability to put you right there in the blood and dust of the battlefield. Alan Kempner (Thanks Alan!)

Dear Mr. Cornwell, To the gentleman who requested some information on Alexander the Great, there is a terrific trilogy by Valerio Massimo Manfredi that I highly recommend. The books are very well written, and historically accurate. As for novels of Rome, Colleen McCullough's Rome Series is also very good reading. Chris Bartzokis (Thanks Chris!)

Q

I have just finished the Arthur books, found them absolutely brilliant apart from one flaw ....... there were only three of them. Is it possible that Derfel could take up his quill again and tell us more of Arthur? John Meekin

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

Thank you John - glad to know you enjoyed the books. Alas, Derfel will not take up his quill again as I feel the story has been told.

Q

Hi Bernard. Although I have not read the book I remember watching a Sharpe episode in with Teresa had Richard's baby, a girl if I remember rightly. I just wondered what happened to her and how old she would be based on the lastest dates novel you wrote of Sharpe? I look forward to hearing from you. Jane Smith

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

The book (and tv episode) is Sharpe's Company and the daughter's name is Antonia. She is born in 1811 and I'm sure lives a full and wonderful life.

Q

If you do a sequel series to the Grail Quest, would it be the adventures of Thomas's son with Genevieve, and his mortal enemy being Thomas's son with Jeanette? And would any more Vexilles or Cathars turn up? Looking forward to The Last Kingdom. Reminds me, that in a second hand bookshop I saw a book about Alfred, written in 60's, 70's? It was 2nd or 3rd in a series. I forget author's name and book title, but I was wondering if you were aware of it? Thanks for all the good reading I have enjoyed over the years. Adrian.

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

Don't know if there will be a sequel to the Grail Quest series. The Alfred book? You're almost certainly referring to Alfred Duggan - who died, I think, in 1963, and I'm pretty sure he wrote on King Alfred. I read Duggan when I was a child, but haven't seen much of him since, but he was a very successful writer. I can't think who else it might be.

Q

Sir, I am currently researching Lt General Sir John Moore and his legacy to the military of today. I have had difficulty in finding out if he laid any of his training methods for light infantry (during his time at Shorncliffe) or if he developed tactics of his own. The modern military follows a "manoeuverist" principle and I want to see if Gen Moore could enlighten us - even from 200 years ago. I am also looking into his effect on Coalitions and Expeditionary Warfare as well as the leadership that he demonstrated. I believe him to be a much underrated and undervalued influence (out shone by Wellington) but am finding it hard to get good material to research. Cheeky I know but I would value any steers you could give me. I do think it is time to sound a "note" on this formidable leader. Yours faithfully, David C Robertson

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

The book you want - and it is long out of print, but Abebooks.com or another of the second-hand book sites on the net might help, is Sir John Moore's System of Training by J.F.G. Fuller. The book was published by Hutchinson, London, in 1924 or 1925, and Fuller, of course, was a distinguished light infantryman himself. I think it will go a very long way to answering your queries.

Q

Dear mr. Cornwell I' m very happy to give you my congratulations: you' re my favourite writer! So a little question: I've read Stonehenge and the first and second Arthur book and I've noticed Saban is similiar to Derfel: not a great hero but a little boat in the sea of love: each one has a woman that he loves "like you can love a free eagle" and a real "ordinary" love. Is this theme autobiographic? Thanks Giuseppe Russo from Naples

Here I am again Mr Cornwell (I just hope I'm not becoming invading...), here to thank you for your answer, it means so much to me...thank you again! However I wanted to start discussing about some points of your works, even if I consider it all just one. I read just what they have already published here in Italy (which I think is not very much...) even if I'm waiting to read "Vagabond" and another one about Sharpe(don't know the original title of the book...). Well, first of all, before we start going on in what I hope is going to be a good conversation between two people with similar interests, I have to know if my basic theory is correct, so can you tell me if it's true that Saban, Derfel, Thomas and Sharpe are the same person? The same person throughout time but in the the same place with the same starting point (Saban is the only one who is quite grown up when he gets to the same starting point of the other ones but maybe it is this that will catch him unprepared and will make then him what we can call a prevaricated loser, the best one among the losers but a slave among the free ones). Italo

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

I don't think Saban is much like Derfel?? Derfel is a warrior - an enormously successful one. But see the next q and a!!

Are they the same person? I think they all have the same author, which is probably much the same thing, and I suppose I subconsciously inflict myself on them, or I inflict my daydreams on them, which is what authors do, so yes, you're probably right.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have read most of your books and love them, in particular the Warlord chronicles and the Grail Quest. I can't wait for the Last Kingdom. Are you planning to write any books on the Roman Empire? Ryan

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

Probably not - Conn Iggulden does such a good job with it, best I leave it to him.

Q

I see on your book list is a book about the battle of stones river. Have you read about Gen. George H. Thomas....the Virginian who fought for the Union and was the only Union General to destroy an entire Confederate Army??? How about a book about him? thanks for putting Sharpes Eagles at 3.99 as someone who has never read the series before it was a good opportunity to get the book and look at the series. Leonard

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

I have read about him - and yes, he would make a good tale. Maybe one day?

Q

Firstly may i say what pleasure you have given me over the years. With all of your books firstly Sharpe and onwards. My favorites of all your books are the Starbuck Chonicles.Have you any intention of continuing the Adventures of Nate and Lassan.... I'm sure after the current conflict either the West and or the French adventure in Mexico beckons. Peter Cooley

Submitted September 30, 2004

A

I do hope to get back to Starbuck someday, but it won't be this year and probably not next...