Your Questions

I've read all the Sharpe Series, including most of the short stories, and just finished the books in print of the Starbuck Chronicles. When might we expect a new one to be available?
Randy Lucas

 

Love your books and have read them all.  I'm rereading Starbuck Series for the 2nd time.
My fervent request is for you to complete the series.  I need closure on Mr. Starbucks career as we still have 2 years of the Civil War to complete. AS I am in my 70"s I implore you not to wait too long.   Appreciatively Yours--Thank you so much for your body of work.

James Riley

Dear sir
I've been a fan of your books since I first read Rebell in August 1997 and had watched all the Sharpe programmes
I've followed all your novels and various series of characters since
I've always wondered what would happen to Starbuck and his friends since finishing reading those four books
My question us one you've been asked many tines before I guess : will you ever return to the Starbuck story and allow his fans to see what happens?
Yours hopefully
Mike

Dear Bernard

Just read Azincourt whilst on holiday in Indonesia ex Sydney, (having previously thoroughly enjoyed the Grail Quest series). An extraordinary account of the era and the battle. What fascinates me is that these events unfolded only six hundred years ago, which is not really that distant in the grand scheme of things. (I am 50 and I can recall my grandmother's renditions of her childhood memories of 100 years past). The portrayal of the accepted barbarity of human behaviour at all stratas of fifteenth century European society is quite shocking. It makes for an extraordinary read, but imagine the devastating psychological impact of these events on the combatants and their families. It also seems to me that the mainstream christian churches, royals and peers (English & French) do not have a great deal to be proud of, when they review the actions they took in the name of God. (Additionally, the detailed portrayal of the Harfleur siege was riveting. Much thought must have gone into that
chapter). One question of interest. After Henry V's efforts at Harfleur,  his foray through France, and the victory at Azincourt, how long did it take the French to repel the English from their stronghold in Calais? I will look forward to your future historical novels. All the best in your endeavours.

Marc Radcliffe

Mr. Cornwell,

I just finished The Pagan Lord for the second time and the biggest "beef" I have with your books is that I devour them too quickly! Thank you for sharing your passion and talent with us.

The next time my wife and I vacation in England, we would like to visit a number of the sites referenced in your books. We visited Edington (Ethandun) when we vacationed in England in 2007 and thoroughly enjoyed trying to visualize Alfred's forces defeating Guthrum on that ground in 878. Any suggestions for our visit next year? We plan on staying for at least 2 weeks.

Thanks,

Michael
Sterling, VA

Your explanation of the riddle states that the answer for "Four dilly-dandies, etc." is a goat.  From my hands-on experience, I know that goats do not have four teats -but only TWO!!  Very unlike you to make a mistake -or was it your character Uhtred trying to outwit Cnut Ranulfson?

Apart from that thoroughly enjoying the book!  Well done! Again!
Michele Deereux-Austin

First of all, as an archaeology graduate whose major interest is the Anglo-Saxon (particularly the pre-Christian 'heathen') period, I have to say your Uhtred books were inspired. You are the only author who has, for me at least, captured the true essence of our early culture in fiction.
I am also an aspiring writer and I just wondered what you think the most important aspect of a great historical action adventure story is?
Ian Carr

Dear Bernard,
I'm currently flying way too swiftly through The Pagan Lord. 'Tis most excellent, and I'm very much looking forward to reading all of the Uthred books when the series is done, which brings me to my question.
Unless it's giving away any trade secrets, did you know how Uthred's story would pan out when you started The Last Kingdom, or did the story develop as you wrote the books?
I keep on procrastinating over my books (not that I've written anything!). It's either a Sharpe/Harper-esque book about some Mongols in Genghis' army, or a Viking book with zombies (draugr) in.  Anyway!
Thanks for the untold hours of book loving you've given me! I remember reading a Sharpe book my dad had when I was about 14. Can't remember the name but it's the one where they break a French square with a charging dead horse. Read Redcoat swiftly after, and then the rest is history. Made several drunken shield walls in Uni, involving me and some fellow drunks yelling 'shield wall!' after reading Derfel's accounts! Sorry, I'm waffling!
Salutations
Owe Phillips

Dear Mr Cornwell
I have read most of your books and have just finished Pagan Lord in one sitting and greatly enjoyed it. I thought it would be the last in the Warrior Chronicles. However, I was very pleased to see in one of your answers that there is more to come. Will Uhtred's son play a more prominent role? Were you being cryptic in the last line of the Historical Note by saying:' Uhtred will be there to witness it' . Uhtred senior or junior?
Unfortunately, I will have to wait and see.
Thank you for all the enjoyable books.
Yours sincerely
Brian

Bernard,
>From one of your strongest advocates here in Australia, I've felt compelled to write to you once again. After waiting 9 months for The Pagan Lord to be released, I finally opened the pages to be transfixed into this wonderful brutal world of English history.
You made a point of introducing former "characters" in the Uhtred saga which was a little contrived. Maybe, this is the last chapter of our super-hero and you wanted to bring them all together in a fitting finale?
Nevertheless, I will still be waiting for the last chapters of Richard Sharpe, the great British hero, who surely must now rest on sheer animal cunning and intelligence than the brute force of his earlier years. Thank you so much.
Howard Boughton

 

Hi there Mr. Cornwell.

Great books, your brilliant. Will there be more books past book 7 in the Warrior Chronicles?!?!  I didn't sleep a wink last night due to the ending of book 7.  Uhtred loves to Quote Fate, so, make it 8!

Troy

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I'm sure you have probably been asked this before, but who are some of your favorite authors?  Also, what do you read for pleasure, other than historical fiction, and why?
P.S.  All of your books are great!
Ben Mercer

I have always been fascinated by a good authors ability to have his character solve problems in ingenious, clever, subtle, etc. ways. Sharpe does it over and over.  If you could project Sharpe's solutions onto  the political scene...what would you have him do to fix Washington DC?
Belinda Baker, MLS

I gather you are a sailor, as am I. I heard that you sail a traditional boat. I sail a Cape Dory 36, a Carl Alberg design, built in 1979, not exactly a classic but at least classic plastic. Would you like to tell your readers more about this side of your life? Where have you sailed? Why do you prefer classic boats. What about sailing interests you? What (besides Hornblower) do you consider great books about sailing and the sea? (My book collection features two authors who show up more frequently: Bernard Cornwell and Patrick O'Brian.)
David VanDenburgh