Your Questions

A friend and I were playing chess today and as big Sharpe fans were wondering if there was a Sharpe Chess Set. We have searched and haven't found one which indicates that one does not exist. We then got discussing on a potential set and believe that it would have the potential of greatness. What are your thoughts (probably that we have too much time on our hands or need a new hobby) Here is our idea of Sharpe chess. British (white) Rooks - Major Munro Knights - Major Nairn Bishops - Major Hogan Queen - Richard Sharpe King - Wellington Pawns - Cooper, Perkins, Hagman, Harper, Harris, Dobbs, Kelly, Tongue, French (black) Rooks - Brigadier Loup Knights - Colonel Leroux Bishops - General Calvet Queen - Major Ducos King - Napoleon Pawns - Count of Matamoros, Compte de Maquerre, Jacques Malan, Henri Maillot, De I'Eclin, Jean Luc Barbier, Labecque, Guy Challon

David Branfield

I have read most of your books and the Arthur series, sharpe and the grail quest are brilliant, but by far the best is the saxon series, I am gutted that I brought death of kings the day it was released and finished it in 4 days, when will the next saxon book be released?

Nigel Day

I love the Saxon series I just recieved the death of kings and finished it. Do you plan on continuing the story of Uhtred and if so, when I can look forward to purchasing the next book in the series?

Aaron

Hello there, trust you're well and about to launch another tome of excellent storytelling at us. I am close to finishing the third book of your Arthur series (The Winter King etc) having read the first two and this third back-to-back. Am enjoying the tale immensely and think you've managed to inhabit the character of Derfel sublimely well. What I'm actually interested to know is where did you get the idea for the Three Wounds that Nimue must experience before she becomes fully part of the Druidic tradition or open to the mysteries, however you want to put it? Is this a fictional device or is there some loose fact based on Druidic or other religious 'lore?' All of the characters in this series are expertly crafted I think and I'm only sorry to be reaching the end of the third book. Many thanks for giving me such huge enjoyment of their presence in my imagination. Kind regards Elizabeth S Mullen

My husband and I love all your books! I am very keen to purchase the Warlord Chronicles in Kindle format. I believe that there is a problem the publisher has been trying to work through. Do you have any update on when we may be able to obtain these e books? Kind regards

Rachel

Hello I have just finished reading Death of Kings and I thought it was great. I hope the next ones out soon. About to start The Grail Quest Series. I received a kindle for Xmas and when I looked for some of your books to purchase I could not find the Aurthur books. Will you be realising them on e-book format for the kindle?

Stewart Russell

Are the Arthur books going to be released in Kindle edition? My Kindle won't be complete without Derfel, hope they'll be available soon.

Helen Edwards

I am currently rereading - for about the fourth time - the Arthur books, and Sharpe's Waterloo. (This sparked an interest in military history of the period). The story of the fattest man in the Prussian Army being entrusted with the news of the French invasion has long intrigued me, but yours is the only book I have read that mentions the episode. Does this man have a name, or where else can I find out more about the story?

Geoff Brown

Dear Mr. Cornwell I have a question regarding viking history, but first I want to tell you how much I enjoy your Saxon Stories. I have spent more than a few hours, rapped up in your marvellous writing. I started reading the books backwards and have just now started the first book about Uhtred, The Last Kingdom. In this book Uhtred tells us that the Danes had returned to Northumbria. That they had been there before he was born, and among other enterprises, raided the monastery at Lindisfarne. In my history lessons I was taught that the Vikings that raided Lindisfarne, was in fact Norwegian. Is this information incorrect? Have I fallen a victim of national pride and false facts, do you think? I studied history for a year, and a really old account of the Viking period (from 1936 I think), was the only book in the curriculum. I have rummaged my attic for the copy and have not yet found it, but I am sure it stated that the Viking raids was performed, both by Norwegians and Danes. I am reading the translated version of The Last Kingdom, the only copy I could get a hold of, but I hope the translator have been true to your English manuscript. No doubt, at least as to labels. Sadly, I am not yet sure if he is true to your extraordinary narrative voice, and I am looking forward to returning to your original writing for the last two books. If you have reading tips on Viking History that could balance my Norwegian accounts, it would be appreciated. Sigrid Kjelland Olsen

My first experience with your writing was the Sharpe books. As an ex-rifleman myself (although US), I was curious -- and I've enjoyed them all. Then I found Azincourt, which is terrific, and am now caught up with the Saxon stories. Uhtred is one of the few fictional characters I've met who conveys the feeling of excitement and achievement that can be found in combat -- even with Sharpe, the feeling one has is that he fights for security, promotion, etc., but not for the love of it. Uhtred, yes. I'm a psychologist now, and I've just run across a statement by a combat veteran who then turned to mountaineering: "Life after war is boring." Sharpe may retire contentedly to a farm, but I couldn't imagine Uhtred doing so. What do you think (if it's not too impertinent a question)?

Peter Suedfeld

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a huge fan of yours and have probably read the entire Sharpe's series through 3 or 4 times. I writing to you for advice however. I am not an author but I have recently become interested in the exploits of my Grandfather who served in U.S. Army Field Artillery from 1915 or so through around 1958. Some google searches on his name have given me a few hits, however, I would like to ask you if you had any advice on how to go about this sort of research. Sources, how to even begin, etc. I know how busy you must be and completely understand if you don't have time to answer this kind of mundane question. Looking forward to finding out What Sharpe and Harper get themselves into next! Cheers! Steve

i have most of your books on paper or hard back, but would like to re-read them on my kindle. are there any plans to issue collections at a more affordable price?

Steve C

Dear Bernard, I hope you're having a top-notch new year thus far. I am a big fan of your Grail Quest trilogy, and have been absolutely enthralled by the first three books in the series. Needless to say, I was very excited to hear that you plan to continue Thomas of Hookton's story with another novel. My question, then, is if you have a tentative publication time frame in mind, or if all is still up in the air. Thank you for your time, Paul Holcomb

Mr. Cornwell, I just finished reading Death of Kings and found it very enjoyable. The problem is this; it wasn't 1,000 pages of reading bliss! HA! Sorry for that comment because I am very sure you put 100% of your heart and soul into writing it but, I just cannot read enough of your books. When I read about the future release of Death of Kings, I reread all the other books in The Saxon Tales to refresh my memory with what the characters were doing. So there will be a new Thomas Hookton book? Any idea on the time frame as to when that book will be published? I don't want to start rereading those too soon. I haven't read more than a couple of The Sharpe books so I think I will have to pick those up and get started. Thank you for what you do and for bring to life such a variety of characters. Sincerely, Gregory H. Lillich