Your Questions

Thank you very much for replying to my previous letter Mr. Cornwell. I really appreciate that you would take time out for that. Since I harbour somewhat farfetched dreams about writing, I was wondering: how do you find out such minute details about events that occured centuries ago? How exactly do you go about researching historical novels? Such 'minor' details make all the difference, yet they must be so hard to uncover. I image it helps if you live in Europe to start with. -Stuart, BC, Canada PS- My further thanks to you, for proving that historical novels can in fact do well!

Mr. Cornwell, I have recently become a fan of your work and thoroughly enjoyed the 100 years war trilogy. I currently devouring the Sharpe series. I was wondering if you know of similar works regarding African mercenaries or the African civil wars of the mid 1900's. I just finished The Dogs of War (forsyth) and it has created some interest in these events. Sean Frick

Ok, you've probably heard this before, and for that I apologize, but I just have to get it out of my system. I'm afraid you have lit a fire under me. After reading many of your Sharpe novels I became curious as to what happen to the 95th Rifles. It appears they were disbanded in the late fifties only to be resurected later and rolled into what they now call the "Royal Green Jackets". I was thrilled to find out that this unit still exsisted. Being a member of one of, if not the, oldest regiments in the American Army National Guard, (1st Viginia Regiment) I cannot help but be drawn to the history of others. When I found out that this unit still existed my mind started working, completely on its own mind you. I started what "ifing" as they say. As in, what if the great, great, great grandson of Richard Sharpe had decided to follow in his famous grandfather's footsteps and join the Royal Green Jackets, and found himself here in Iraq today. What if he had done it years ago, and found hinself in places like the Faulklands, and Kosovo. The range is unlimited. I would never try to tell you how to write your books but, what if? Would you ever consider the idea? P.S. I apologize for my butchery of the english language. As Henry Higgins said, "The Americans haven't used it in years". So we're a little rusty at it. Thank you. SSG Don Sawyer

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I've read the Sharpe, Starbuck and Grail quest novels, and enjoyed them all very much, with Shapre the worst (but still very good) and Starbuck the best. But I've always wondered in the Sharpe books, What happens to Sharpe's senior friends in the intelligence department like Ross, Hogan or Nairn? And also in the Indian episodes what happened to General Harris and Baird after Seringapatan? Why is it that after Sharpe discovers Hakeswill had escaped the tigers, that he does not go to Arthur Wellesley and tell him that Hakeswill had betrayed him and Lawford to the enemy and have Hakeswill shot? James

Dear Bernard, I saw a question on your website recently about the number of eagles that had been captured and was surprised that it was so few (9?) This got me to thinking how many colours that had been captured the other way from British forces and was hoping it was just as few. The reason I am particularly interested is because I visited the Musee d'armee in Paris not so long ago and there was a captured British colour there as an exhibit. If so few colours were captured I guess it wouldn't be out of the question that you know the story behind this particular one. From what I can remember and from what my poor French can make out it was captured from a Scots Regiment in 1812 or 1813. Do you know this particular story? Thanks, Paul.

I recently heard that you knew who Sharpe's father was...I doubt you'll tell us here, but will we ever find out? Is he a soldier? that would be a massive moment in the series if it was revealed and Sharpe found out. What about Simmerson, that would be funny, or a fighting soldier like McCandless, Septamus, or Lennox? Come on!!!..... David

'I do know who Sharpe's father is'. WHO????!!!! I really want to know. Can you tell me? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You don`t have to post it on you website just write me an e-mail!!!!!!! PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christopher

I was wondering if you feel like that the Peninsular War is your turf? What would you think if another Writer started a fiction book about it. Tobin

Thanks for your answer to my earlier question, saying that Sharpe's marriage to Jane broke up when Sharpe fell for Lucille. This begs another question. After Sharpe fell for Lucille, did you then have to invent Jane's affair with Rossendale so that Sharpe could leave her for Lucille with a clear conscience (and to keep the reader on Sharpe's side)? Carole

Great stories....just finished Sharpe's Escape and thought it was great. Do you think we will be seeing any more of Sarah Fry? I've noticed that in the more recent Sharpe novels Sharpe is a lot more comfortable around women. I remember in the earlier novels he was more tongue-tied; or am I just imagining things? Sorry that is running so long....just wanted to know what happened to my two favorite female characters...what do you supposed happened with Jane and Josefina?

Mr. Cornwell, If you had to pick a single one-volume biography of Wellington to recommend to a reader for background, whose would it be? Glenn F. Rodgers