Your Questions

Q

Hello my name is Keegan Eatherton and I have a guess to the riddle of Sharpe's Father and I would like to have you confirm or deny the answer. Lucky is the happy mans name. Replace the "u" with "me" and you get Lmecky. Mighty Mecke or Mighty Mecky is an Irish race horse

Submitted September 23, 2013

A

Sorry, nope.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell,
I've recently finished your books about Sharpe and I have much enjoyed it. I usually read fantasy novel, so I was afraid of reading a story without swords clashing one another in battle, but I've learned that standing in line and being slaughtered by enemy bullets is just as much exciting. lol
But I have a few question, in your book we much about Lord Wellington genius in battle and how he defeated every single french marshal in the peninsula war and even Napoleon himself afterwards. But even so Napoleon is the one considered to be the military genius and all, here in Brasil we don't even learn about Wellington in our history classes.
1) Do you think that Napoleon fame of genius has any foundation? Was Wellington actually better than him?

I've also much enjoyed seen Sharpe being a Colonel and commanding his battalion.
2) Do you plan on writing a Sharpe Story after Sharpe Devil in which he actually gets to command?

3) Do you plan writing a story in 20th century in the WW I, for example?

Lucas Vieira

Submitted September 23, 2013

A

It’s really impossible to compare the two of them.  Wellington was a soldier and Napoleon was so much more. Napoleon was a soldier, a ruler, an empire-maker and a legislator.  More importantly, Napoleon was the supreme ruler of the French empire, while Wellington always saw himself as a servant of the state; he took his instructions from the government, while Napoleon took instructions from no-one. You can compare them as soldiers, but again it’s an impossibility; Napoleon was a gambler, an adventurer, a genius at times and a disaster at others. Wellington was a careful general, capable of stunning attacking tactics (Assaye, Salamanca, Vittoria), but chiefly known for his defensive battles, like Busaco or Waterloo. Wellington never had Napoleon’s ambitions, nor did he want them, so he could not achieve what Napoleon achieved, nor could he plunge his country into the chaos that Napoleon’s failed ambitions provoked.  As generals?  Wellington has by far the better win-loss record, so probably it’s fair to say that he was the better general, but he never changed the world as Napoleon did!

 

No plans for either!

Q

I'm a huge fan of your books about Uhtred! I was wondering, however, because Uhtred is in his eighth decade of life when he narrates his journeys, that would put him as close to death in the 930s/940s. Will there be any books about his son, who wanted only a life of piety and Christianity? There's Danes that need to be fought not shortly after the time Uhtred would die, if memory serves! Not to mention, the preview you've given us - that amazing, wonderful preview - mentions that he is fighting alongside his father in a shieldwall. Will he continue down the warrior path? I suppose this question might well be answered when the book comes out and I get to read it...but I think it would be interesting!
Colin Donovan

Submitted September 23, 2013

A

Wait and see?  I know that’s a frustrating answer, but the next book, The Pagan Lord, will give you a clue!

Q

This isn't a suggestion (I'm sure you love those) but, rather, a curiosity.
Did you ever consider telling your version of Boudicca and Prasutagus' tale, or even a story of Caratacus and Queen Cartimadua? I would have loved to have read stories of Celtic and/or Roman Britain that you would have imagined.
Do you think Boudicca was really a warrior queen or just something the Romans conjured up?
- Dalton

Submitted September 23, 2013

A

She existed, she was a terror. Trust me, the Romans didn’t want to invent her!    I probably won't write a book about Boudicca. I'm sure it could be an interesting story, but I've too many other things on my list at the moment!

Q

I have recently had the pleasure of rereading the adventures of Nathaniel Starbucks. I wonder if Mr Cornwell has ever considered bringing back Nathaniel Starbuck from his hiatus for further adventures either set during The American Civil War or adventures which could take place after 1865? Perhaps during the Indian Wars or setting his hero in the backdrop of the American West?
Martyn Barrow

 

Dear Mr Cornwell
I was over in the USA for the Gettysburg 150th anniversary events back in July. As a result I decided to re-read your four Starbuck series of books, after having last read them over 10 years ago. Can we expect another book, as the way 'The Bloody Ground' ended, its quite obvious that Major Starbuck has a great deal of unfinished business?  I
Regards
Geoff

Submitted September 17, 2013

A

I do hope to return to Starbuck one of these days!

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell.
Much respect.

I must first of all thank you for your reply to my last post.  I was wondering this time if you had ever before considered a historical novel that was non military related. Reason I ask was I read Black Ajax by Macdonald Fraser which is historic and sporting fiction. I wondered if anything like that was on your to do list. If you did a novel about the notorious brand of medieval football it may interest people alot of people and could be popular. You mentioned it in Azincourt on the first page so make a novel and sell it to those who love historical fic and those who read those hooligan biographies. Show your massive Brazilian fanbase where the brutal beginning of their favourite sport began. Do it.

Jack from Buckinghamshire

Submitted September 17, 2013

A

It’s a great idea, truly, but I’m really not the person to write it!  I don’t know enough about the game, and you’d need someone who was passionately involved in the subject. Sorry.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwall
I just recently finished reading your book The Fort and while reading through the last chapter which describes the American Fleet 's retreat up the Penobscot river, there was a mention of Odom"s Ledge. Would you tell me were I could find any back ground information the referenced ledge.

Respectfully Yours

Greg P. Odom

Submitted September 17, 2013

A

I’m not sure!  As far as I can remember the ledge was a rocky underwater obstacle which must have caused a number of wrecks because eventually it was blown-up, so it no longer exists, or rather there are just remnants left. It might have dried at low-water? I don’t know. The coastal pilot just mentions the fierce currents in that part of the river, up to five knots, which must have made the ledge a real wrecker.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I love your books, especially the "Grail Quest" series and "1356". I was wondering if you ever considered writing a book about the Battle of Towton, where archers had a major role and it is a stunning battle as far as the number of casualties.
Thanks again for all your books!

Gyula Soos

Submitted September 17, 2013

A

It has occurred to me, yes, but whether I will? I just don't know. It was a ghastly battle, one of the real horrors, and it's very tempting. One day, maybe?

Q

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and you are the master. The Saxon Chronicles is hands down the best read out there, and I am grateful there are 7 books in the series. Is there any plans to make the series into a movie or tv series like the Sharpe shows?
Thanks for your work,
Troy

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
I am reading the "The Saxon Chronicles" for the second time, while I wait for the german translation (by the way, the translations of your novels are very good) of "The Pagan King" and after I read most of all your other awesome books.
I saw a post on the Internet, saying that there is a movie series of the "Saxon Chronicles" planned. Could you please tell me if these are just rumours, or if is a real information. And if there will be a movie of this uncomparable story, will you be involved in the making of if?
I really hope so, knowing that Hollywood is capable of turning great novels into incredibly bad movies.
With kind regards,
Aziz

Hey Mr. Cornwell
I am a great fan of your Saxon, Sharpe, Arthurian, and Grail Quest books!!!
As you worked for BBC before, have you or they considered adapting the above into TV series?
I always find reading books much better than watching the movies/TV series as the books are so much more descriptive and stimulating (and longer lasting).
Of course I still watched the Sharpe TV series and loved those as well.
What is your view on turning books into movies/TV series?
The tale of Uthred I would particularly very much enjoy to see on screen.
I can't wait to read The Pagan Lord!!!!
Thanks
Maurice

Submitted September 17, 2013

A

Thank you. There's talk now and again of films, but I really don't pay much attention to it. I'll believe when I see it!

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I have read your books, "The Fort" and " Waterloo" and enjoyed them immensely. Have you written about the battle of New Orleans in a comparable detailed manner? If you have please send me the title. Castine is near my home, and I plan to see Fort George soon. Thank you for your very detailed research and making history come alive.

Holt B. Harrison

Submitted September 17, 2013

A

I have not and it's not in my plans at the moment!