Your Questions

Q

I have copies of Sea Lord ISBN 0-7181-3323-4 and Killers Wake ISBN 0-399-13458-1 which are of the same text. and is Sharpe's Christmas #22 in reading order? Thanx Barry

Submitted March 9, 2004

A

Killers Wake is the title the American publisher gave to the book Sea Lord when it was published in the US. The publisher does have the right to change the title of a book, much to my dismay, as they did when they published Harlequin under the title The Archer's Tale in the US. I regret any inconvenience it may have caused you by buying the same book under two different titles. The short story book Sharpe's Christmas is not a numbered Sharpe book because the book contains two short stories that take place at different times. The first story is 'Sharpe's Christmas' and it takes place in 1813 towards the end of the Peninsular War (and would fall after Sharpe's Regiment). The second story is 'Sharpe's Ransom' and it takes place during peacetime, coming after Sharpe's Waterloo, and giving a glimpse of Sharpe's life with Lucille in France. The short story Sharpe's Skirmish is set in August, 1812 and falls after Sharpe's Sword.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, first I wanted to thank you for your books, every one I've read is wonderfully entertaining. More so, as a military officer, I admire the research and veracity that goes into your writings... your books are a far more entertaining way to study history then reading some dusty old book off a library shelf. The Warlord Chronicles had me hooked, particularly the view of Lancelot. I studied Le Morte D'Arthur back in high school, and never understood why Lancelot had grown to be such a hero in other writings/movies. Since the Warlord series I've torn through the Starbuck & most of the Sharpe novels and there's enough left on your booklist to keep me busy a long long time... Anyway, are there any brand new series in your future? If so, what's the historical setting? Finally, for the predictable question, who are some of your favorite authors? Mike

Submitted March 9, 2004

A

I am working on the first book of a new series about Alfred set in the early 9th century. I think the book will be called The Last Kingdom (although that could change) and should be published in the UK in October of this year. My favourite author is an obscure writer by the name of John Cowper Powys.

Q

Just a quick question concerning your impending Viking series. Can you divulge any information, and when will it be out? Owe Phillips

Submitted March 9, 2004

A

It isn't really a 'Viking series', more an Anglo-Saxon one, though the 'Vikings' feature very prominently (indeed we're with them for most of the first book) and they are, of course, the main danger to Alfred's Wessex. At the moment (this might change) the book is called The Last Kingdom and it will appear in the UK in October, and in the US? Don't know, but probably not till 2005.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I enjoy reading ALL your books and really like the way you take the King Arthur tales and twist em into brand new tales, casting a new image on history. I am very curious to know if there are any plans to make those books into a movie? When I was stationed in Wales, I remember hearing about an old monastary being renovated and the workers finding ancient transcripts written in Saxon and that it seemed to mention Arthur. Is this where you got the idea? Are you planning on writing anymore of the Starbuck chronicles? Being born in Texas, I'd like to read more about kickin' those dang Yankees butts. I'd also like to see how you are going to bring us readers from Sharpe to Starbuck through Sharpe's son. I take it that the Grail quest series is over? That is too bad, I really liked reading about that war, with the archers taking out the knights. I liked the way you brought the plague into it too. You ever think about writing about the French and Indian War 1756- 1766 in North America? Jim Cork

Submitted March 9, 2004

A

No plans for a movie based on the Warlord Chronicles at the moment. Alas no - your message is the first I've ever heard of the old monastary and the ancient transcripts! Starbuck and Thomas of Hookton are both on hold - at least for the moment. And I think about the French and IndianWar from time to time, but it's not a priority and certainly won't be done soon.

Q

Why did most of your references to knights say they were wearing mail when by 1340 most knights and men at arms were wearing at least a coat of plates? Also why did you focus on an archer instead of a knight or man at arms? Since, to my deep sadness you have scraped Warrior, would you mind telling me if Thomas kills Robbie? Please write a book on Agincourt and make sure Heny V is wearing a great helm which is historically correct. Sorry if my question is too long. Alex Verrall

Submitted March 9, 2004

A

Because most knights (men at arms) couldn't afford plate. That's why! The iconography of the period (tombs, illustrations, etc) shows a lot of plate, but that was commissioned by the wealthy so it shows them in their expensive armour, but the average man at arms had to be content with mail and, if he was lucky, some pieces of scrounged plate. Why an archer? Why not? He was a battle-winner, so has some interest. And does Thomas kill Robbie? Don't know - I might find out one day if I ever write the next book, and I think it likely I will write Agincourt eventually (I have all the research done) and I'll bear your message in mind! Thank you for it.

Q

Two quick questions, please: (1.) having written the later Sharpe books before the earlier, if you were, in fact, writing the later books now, are there things in those books that you would change?; and (2.) why does Sharpe hate lawyers so much? I'm a lawyer myself, and many, many lawyers shame the profession, but the scoundrels, really, are regular people. To borrow a phrase, "lawyers don't sue people; people sue people." Even in Lady Grace's estate, Sharpe should hate her family, not lawyers. Sometimes, in one's profession, it's necessary to do some things of which you may not end up particularly proud in order to best advance your client's (or King's) interests. Sharpe, of all people, should know that. Thanks for your time, response, and talents. Best wishes.

Submitted March 9, 2004

A

1) Do you mean are there things I would change in the first series? Yes - the references to things like Hakeswill being with Sharpe during the assault on Gawilghur, and when I came to write that book it was impossible to make that reference true. Maybe one day I'll smooth the whole series out - maybe. 2) Ho ho. All I shall offer you is Abraham Lincoln (who, as a lawyer, understood these things) - a single lawyer in a small town starves, two lawyers grow fat. I rest my case.

Q

I would just like to say hello and tell you that I enjoy your writing immensely. I have had many days at work, extremely groggy and cloudy-minded due to not being able to put down one of your books the night before(and on into the morning) :) I would also like to ask one question: Any word on Nathaniel Starbuck? That series was the first of your work that I read and I still read them. Just wondering if there was going to be a continuation in the near future or if you have decided to retire Starbuck to work on other gripping reading? Thank you for all the hours of entertainment you have provided, Daryl Graham

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

I am working on other projects at the moment - but I do hope to return to Starbuck at some point.

Q

Please could you tell me, is Sharpe based on a real character as I understand that he is according to my local radio station in Leicester. It is reported that the character who Sharpe is based on is buried in Leicester. Dick Leslie

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

Sharpe is utterly fictional - based on my imagination.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I enjoy reading your books so much. After I finish reading them I can't get them out of my head for weeks! My absolute favorite is Stonehenge because I have never read anything like it and I also love the Warlord Chronicles and Grail Quest series. I was very disappointed to read that you decided not to write the fourth Thomas of Hookton book and I can only hope you change your mind. Now that I'm done acting like a dorky fan I would love to ask you a question. In Heretic, I was wondering why you didn't mention what happened to Jeanette and Mordecai. I was just curious about their fate. Thank you very much for your time, I wish you all the best. Jill Levraea

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

They do rather fade away, don't they? Sorry. Maybe I'll pick them up in a later book one day.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a huge fan of your books and would just like to say that I can't wait for the new one. The thing I'd like to ask is, recently I was reading a historical fiction book based on the Nepoleonic war again but this time it was about a French cavalry officer in Italy. I was wondering if this was actually written by you as the style is very similar, as is the hero? I thought it might have been published under a different name as not to upset too many Sharpe fans, your sincerely Philip Ashley

Submitted March 5, 2004

A

I didn't write it (can't imagine where I'd find the time...).