Your Questions

Dear Bernard,

I have been reading a couple of G A Henty books on Penisula war and have to say Sharpe's promotion is very tardy. The main character joins his regiment as an ensign in Ireland and eight months later he is a Colonel of a Portugese regiment. So maybe Sharpe should have joined the Portugese instead. While Henty's main characters are pretty unrealistic even for an adventure books his historic bang on. For all the money spent on the Penisular Campaign very little was actually spent on the army. The Portugese and Spanish junta were given millions and did very little to free their counties from French occupation. Then the British Government in it's wisdom had an army in Sicily. For Wellington I think beating the French was the easy part.
Andrew Walker

Hello Bernard,

just to say your books got me back into reading after years of not reading at all so a huge thank you for that, also I love history and that's why I love your books.
I know you get this all the time but I would love to see another Rider Sandman story, maybe another sailing thriller as I enjoyed them more I thought I would, and obviously another starbuck I love that guy!!
Sorry to drone on, but after The Empty Throne and your book on Waterloo what will you be writing next?? and if you could forget all other commitments what era of history would you write??? I would love to see either Crusades, ww1, english civil war or maybe battle of little big horn that era
again sorry to drone on and on but you are amazing please please keep writing many many thanks
Jonathan Ashman

Dear Mr Cornwell,
I have read all Sharpe books and am just about to get the Pagan Lord. Reading about Uhtred (my favourite) and Derfel,  I´ve always wondered whether you have read and been influenced by Robert Merle´s Fortune de France, since I find some similarities in your styles and plot construction when you write in the 1st person. (The series would definitely deserve a mention in the to-read section).
Wishing you plenty of inspiration.

Juraj

Mr. Cornwell,
Thank you for this forum, it's refreshing to correspond with an accomplished writer that has managed not to bloat himself with the trappings of fame. As a historian, I wanted to say that I appreciate your verbal archery, that is hitting close to the mark and piercing the bulls eye with your penchant for weaving believable yarns within the framework of actual history. Most would say (and have said) that it is your talent for describing battles etc. that excites them but I truly enjoy your dialogue between characters. Your agonists are realistic and reflect actual caste differential and their gift of gab is a thrill to read. I just finished 1356 and around the midpoint I found myself in excruciating pain waiting for Roland and Thomas to reunite! That's when I knew I loved your story. So bravo, wise chap and pray, tell me (when it's convenient), how do you construct your dialogue? I am a fledgling composer at present and I find that I just wing it. Do you? Or is
it really more complicated than that? Thanks again and I look forward to your reply. Erin go Bragh!
Holden Cleveland

Hi Mr. Bernard Cornwell

I'd like to known if the Saxon Shieldwall can hold a French Cavalry of the XV century. Thanks
Tunicão

Mr. Cornwell,

over the years as you have found time, have there been other writers of historical fiction that you would highly recommend. I must confess that I have just now discovered your books and am reading "The Last Kingdom." My favorite author of historical fiction was Dorothy Dunnett. Thank you very much.
Frank Trotter

I have read almost all of your books and have enjoyed them immensely.  Because of your vast knowledge of battles and warfare that occurred in early England, a Roman series would be a great addition.
Steve

Dear Sir,
I have read and re read most of your books and find them extremely entertaining, hold very true to the time period. I was wondering if there is any chance of a follow up book with Rider Sandman? Would also like to read more about Thomas.  You have a way to make history come alive, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read and own so many of your books!
Thank you...
Francis Carver

 

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell:
I am, happily, one of your many readers.  And, at the risk of repeating what I am sure many others have said, I have been delighted with all your books. At the same time, I have since been spoiled in my expectations, to the point that most other authors are unable to keep me captivated and leave me disappointed. So now, I am compelled to re-read your books: Sharpe (3x), Grail Quest (3x), Warrior Chronicles (3x)!  This has actually proven quite entertaining since I have managed to glean, in bits, that which may have not been appreciated previously.  I would also like to suggest, if I may, that you consider expanding some of your characters (e.g. Rider Sandman) by writing about them further with another book?  In conclusion to my rambling, thank you for this opportunity to express my gratitude and permit me to wish you greater success (if at all possible) in all of your, as yet unwritten, literary creations.
Most sincerely,
Tony

Mr Cornwell
My first contact with Richard Sharpe was when I was handed a copy of 'Sharpes Eagle' as a young Royal Engineer Sapper on deployment to the former Yugoslavia in 1993. Those books helped me get through some particularly trying times during that tour and by the end I had acquired all 10 of the books that had been published to date.
Upon returning from the tour, I bought each book at the earliest opportunity and have since read the whole set time and again in chronological order.
Since then, I have dragged my, long suffering, wife to see the site of the breaches at Badajoz and the battlefield at Talavera.
Today I found myself at a lose end in  Malaysia, where I am currently working and decided to watch every episode of the excellent (allowing for a dark-haired londoner morphing into a blond-haired yorkshireman from my hometown!)TV series which was born of the novels.
I found myself thinking about the books and tried to find a way to contact you to answer the all important question - Will Sharpe (and Harper) ever march again?
I thank you for astounding work, which despite having been with me for most of my adult life, I can still pick up and read today as if it were the first time.
Best regards
Carl Wright

Hello, I know you get asked this a million times but, have we seen the last of King Arthur? All of those books were so captivating from Winter King, through the end. Being from the US, we are short on quality Arthur tales.

I love the conflict of doing what is write at all times even if what is right produces terrible outcomes. Marvelous story dichotomy.

I've read almost every book that you have published and can't wait for January when the next Uthred story comes available in the US.
Lawrence