Hello! I loved the King Arthur trilogy you did and I just wanted to know whether the film that's coming out in the summer is adapted from them? Thanks for your time!
Geriant Williams
No, it is not.
Dear Mr. Cornwell, Wellington is always described as a miliary genius, yet from the descriptions of the battles I have read in your books, it seems that more often than not, Wellington blunders or does nothing special, and this is only righted by the skill of his troops and subordinates, the location of the battle, or the work of his inteligence staff. For example, in Sharpe's sword, although, I think I am right in saying that the spies in the book did not exist, Wellington places his troops behind the curve of the river, and Marmont attacks, thinking it is a deception, and the main body of his troops has marched West, yet a main reason for this is the work of Wellington's intelligence officers, persuarding the Marquesa into writing a false letter. And when the 3rd in command of the French army advances the Main French column, rather than a stroke of genius from Wellington, it is the bravery of the South Essex (presumably some other regiment in Real life) that stops retreating and forces the column onto the 6th division. Secondly, at Fuentes D'orno, Wellington splits his army and the whole smaller section looks to be enveloped, until Black Bob and the light division pull off some incredible soldiering, and saves Wellington from defeat. Then at other battles it seems not that Wellington has blundered or made any mistake, but neither has he made any briliant plan to defeat the enemy, such as the battle described at the beginning of Sharpe's Fortress, when it is the sheer stoic determination of the highlanders that defeats the enemy, marching in a blunt, unsubtle, un-inspiring advance at the enemy ridge. At Waterloo it seems to me that had Ney not thrown away the French cavalry and had Grouchy come to Napoleons aide in time, and had the British troops not been so brave withstanding the constant artillery bombardment and then face up to the Imperial guard, and all the armies of France, then it would have been Napoleons Brilliance that won the day. Do you hold the view that Wellington was a genius? The British infantry are always described in your books as firing faster than the French some 15 seconds per shot, with the French at some 20 seconds per shot (am I correct in this assumptiom) and that the rifles fired at some 30 seconds or more per shot? If I am right, then by the American civil war, and the Starbuck Chronicles how fast was the rate of fire of the average line infantry (assuming they were using non-repeating rifles)? Finally do you hold the opinion, that had the English, or French or any other Major European power joined the war on the side of the confederates, that they would have then eventualy won the war? Sorry this is all rather long winded, William Richards
Was Wellington a genius? Of course he was a genius. Would you want to fight him? Look at his record, for God's sake! Not one lost battle - you think that's an accident? And Salamanca was an encounter battle, two armies on the move, and it takes skill of an extraordinarily high order to fight an encounter battle - you don't choose your position, but make use of what there is and outmanouevre the enemy. And Craufurd doesn't save Wellington from defeat at Fuentes d'Onoro - W knew the risk he was running, took it deliberately, and sent Craufurd to do the necessary when the risk proved too much. Craufurd didn't just swan off on his own. As for Waterloo, oh dear. W fought there because he was assured that Blucher was coming, he knew the quality of his men ('if we have enough of that article' - meaning the redcoats - 'then we can do the business'), and Ney might have thrown away Napoleon's cavalry, but Uxbridge threw away Wellington's horsemen. Wellington once remarked that French campaign plans were like very beautiful leather harness sets, but when a piece broke it was impossible to mend. His plans, he said, were made of rope - when they broke he tied a knot. Being a great general is not having everything go to plan ('all plans collapse on meeting reality' - who said that?) but in reacting to changing circumstances. He was a genius.
The American Civil War was a period of rapid change - the initial rate of fire is about the same because they're all using muzzle loading guns - the rate might have been quickened a little because they had percussion caps instead of flints - but then, in mid war, the first practical breech-loaders arrive with ready made cartridges, and then the rate streaks up - 10 or more a minute? I'm sure there is a good source that would answer you more accurately - I don't have one to hand, but broadly I'm pretty sure I'm right.
And your last question - If the Brits had come in? Quite possible. Been horribly messy. Attacks from Canada, the northern blockade of the southern ports destroyed by the Royal Navy, reinforcements into Georgia. The French? Navy wasn't nearly as formidable as Britain's, so more doubtful.
i have enjoyed all the sharpe books over the years,and would like to know if there are going to be any more after Sharpe's Escape? Andrew Stenson
There will be more Sharpe books, but not for at least a year or two.
I've just finished reading the Starbuck Chronicles and was wondering as is said in the last one of these books produced there is to be another book, I would like to know when this book will be published and what it is called so I can buy it. Please say when it will. Thanks.
Duncan Farley
Sorry Duncan, the book hasn't been written yet.
Dear Mr Cornwell, thankyou for replying to my earlier questions, this time I'm wondering if you have ever considered writing books on general Wolfe? He is my all time hero (military hero) and I would love to se a book based on him, or a soldier under him, at the fall of Quebec or anotherof his battles. I've also taken an interest to the navy around the C18th and C19th, and was wondering if you had read any novels around this time, or if you recomend some. The ones I have thought about are the series by Patrick O'Brien, Alexander Kent, and another writer who I can't for the life of me remember the name of. Will
Wolfe is always a possible - but not soon - Naval stories of the 18th and 19th centuries? Hundreds of them! Hornblower, the Patrick O'Brien books, Alexander Kent, Dudley Pope, Dewey Lambdin - lots to choose from!
Sir: I have just started watching the "TV" series on the History channel in our area as well as reading 13 of your books about Sharpe. I found Sharpe's Waterloo very interesting but am disappointed the next story takes place 5 years later. Can you tell me why Sharpe is never given an actual battalion of his own and why his commanding officers are always so incompetent? Will you in the future give him actual command? I also enjoy the historical notes you add at the end of the books . Please keep on writing. Sincerely D. Amadatsu
Why doesn't he get his own command? He does, more or less, in the Pyrenees, but the series ain't finished yet, so who knows?
Hi Bernard - I've been waiting for a while to see how Sharpe will respond to the Rifle training. I'm interested in his reaction to the green coats, the new culture of a different kind of fighting and discipline which arises from a new kind of weapon. This is clearly where he finds his metier as a soldier. You've said a couple of times that you don't plan to go back in time again, does this mean that you don't plan to write this story? I'd love to see it written, as it feels to me like a missing piece of the jigsaw of who Sharpe is. Do I also remember Sharpe losing the last of the Tippoo's jewels to a woman (of course)? Memory says it was a schoolmistress at Dover, but it was just one line I read some time ago... This is a really good site. Thank you! Anne
I remember that line too. I wonder whatever happened to her? I hope Sharpe got his money's worth. I am disinclined to go back a second time, but never say never.
Dear Sir, I just wanted to thankyou for hours of terrific reading in the Sharpe series. I have finished the series and I am reading it again. Do you know of any other books that are like the Sharpe series but about a Frenchman? Thankyou again Sir, for the countless hours of enjoyment Sean Gooley
I believe there is a series out there, but I can't remember the name of the books or the author's name at the moment. Can anyone help?
Sean Gooley wrote in a May 21 posting, inquiring about a series of Napoleonic War novels from the French perspective. The series is by Richard Howard, and each title begins with "Bonaparte's" (Sons, Invaders, Avengers, etc.) They chronicle the adventures of a group of French dragoons under their sergeant, Alain Lausard. IMO, they are vastly inferior to Sharpe. The characters are superficial, and undergo no development from book to book. The battle descriptions are only so-so, and there are few if any subplots to the main campaign. The publisher has seemed to agree with this assessment, and has dropped the series after six books. Sean, if you've read through all of Sharpe at lest twice, plus all of Cornwell's other stuff, and are absolutely desperate, you can give Howard's books a try, otherwise, don't waste your time and money. Alan Kempner
I'm looking forward to your new novel about England during the reign of Alfred the Great-a good period of history to write about. Have you considered a novel about William 1 and Harold 2 and the Battle of Hastings? Also, what about the Black hills war of 1876 in the U.S., as I think the great Sioux war leader, Crazy Horse, was one of the most admirable warriors in History. Hope I haven't given you too much work! Kindest regards, Paul.
None of the above - sorry. Not much sympathy with either Harold or William, and will leave Crazy Horse to the writers who have a passion for native American history.
Hello again, Mr. Cornwell. My question this time is concerning Sharpe's future adventures. Are you planning to write any more like Enemy and Siege, where the historical backdrop is ficticious? Or will they all be centered around real battles and sieges like Albuera and San Sebastian? Do you have plot ideas for Sharpe's future exploits worked out in your head now, or will you figure them out when you start writing about him again? Sincerely, Alan Kempner
I really don't know whether I'll do any more totally fictitious Sharpes - probably, but I never know quite what will happen in a book till I write it - and I certainly don't have any plot ideas ahead of time - wish I did - but I have to discover the story as I go along.