Your Questions

Q

Please could you let me know if I can get any books on sergeant Charles Ewart about his life? Thank you, yours truly, Jenny

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

I know of none - there was an account of him printed in a Scottish (I think) newspaper in the mid 19th Century, but I know of no biography - sorry. Google him!

Q

I am a transplanted Kentuckian living in Lincolnshire and have just finished the Starbuck series; enjoyed then tremendously and have heard you've been thinking about him and something is forthcoming; I shall await with eager anticipation. Your treatment of Stonewall Jackson was interesting; I may not have looked into him enough or really grasped him well; some of the biographies seem to treat him as a crackpot with no genius at all; at any rate I found your treatment of him much more human and was thoroughly drawn to his conversation with Starbuck about leadership. So I've been looking at Stonewall again this morning and had the thought that the Mexican war is untouched as a backdrop for historical novels; i know its' too early for Starbuck, but it might be an interesting vein? ..... Anyway; glad to have found your stuff, looking forward to more. Thank you for your diligent and generous imagining. Joe Marx

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

Stonewall Jackson....He probably was a crackpot! But so was Patton! Or Orde Wingate. I find Jackson a fascinating man - utterly devout, honest as the day is long, awkward, brilliant and unconventional, prone to depression (and inactivity) and, altogether, so human! And you're right - the Mexican War is truly interesting - maybe one day?

Q

Mr Cornwell, I was curious if the light companies carried less kit than the line infantry to improve their mobility. Thanks for your time, and have a great day. Best Regards, Thom Curry

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

No is the quick answer . . . . they were a company in the line like any other, though naturally, in battle, they were unencumbered by their packs.

Q

Dear Bernard, I'm a great fan of your books, and in particular the sheer level of background research that has gone into them (i think my favourites are the either the grail quest or saxon books). I'm also looking at writing a set of books myself, concerning the Percy-Neville feud and the war of the roses (I won't say any more to save you from the lawyers) and was wondering whether, in the course of researching for other books you might have come across any particularly good sources concerning the subject? Thanks a lot for your help. Daniel.

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

I'm no expert - I'd start with the best recent general history of the Wars of the Roses and use its bibliography to track down other sources.

Q

Hi Bernard, After reading 'The Fort', Paul Revere's behaviour really struck me as very odd. He seemed, at first, a man who knew his job yet beset by jealous rivals such as Major Todd; most would be sympathetic with his troubles. Yet as the story progressed Revere became more impatient, ill-tempered, uncooperative - until being blatantly insubordinate towards Generals Lovell and Wadsworth. What do you think was the cause of a change in attitude? Or, was Paul Revere not quite the patriot he appeared to be?

Robert Douglas

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

Oh he was a patriot - a vehement patriot! But he was also cross-grained, awkward and very disinclined to accept the authority of others. there seems to have been a huge chip on his shoulder - maybe caused by his rejection by the Continental Army. There's no doubt he was a very competent craftsman, but a real failure as a soldier. Every incident in the book has a source - I didn't make up his awkward behaviour! I think he began the campaign with enormous enthusiasm, but that enthusiasm evaporated swiftly under the realities of warfare. One of the incidents I find most revealing is his refusal to go ashore and establish the battery on Nautilus (Cross) Island . . . he seemed to think that job was beneath his dignity and so he dug his heels in - and of course he should have gone! That was his job, but he took umbrage at being given an order. Oddly enough (and this may seem perverse, and besides it's a 'what if' which are generally pointless) I believe that if Revere had been in command rather than Lovell then the expedition would probably have succeeded - Revere had a pugnacity and irrationality that might have swept the British away, but as a subordinate? He was a disaster!

Q

Hello, I have managed recently to get a close friend interested in your books, already in little over three months he has read half of your spectacular Richard Sharpe series. It is his birthday coming up and I was wondering if you could send me your autograph so that I could put it inside his present (The Fort)? I hope this wouldn't be too much of a problem. I look forward to your next book with much anticipation. Kind regards, Adam.

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

Sure! Please get back to me with your mailing address.

Q

Hi Bernard, Firstly, big fan of all your books, you truly have a gift to make history come alive in print. Richard Sharpe is an amazing character, you have made him more of a gentleman than those supposedly born to it. I have just started reading a novel by James McGee called Ratchatcher and it seems to have a Sharpe clone as its hero. Same style, looks, similar upbringing and nature from the 95th rifles. I was wondering if you have been liaising with the author on this. and a quick second question, will there be more Sharpe TV movies in the future, I am sure Sean Bean could be up for another. cheers Phil

Phil Moses

Submitted June 7, 2011

A

Haven't heard any plans for another TV film. I'm not familiar with the book . .. sounds like coincidence to me!

Q

Hi, I'm a big fan of your Starbuck chronicles and the civil war. I've read the series and listened to them on tape as well. I'd love to see what happens to Nate for the rest of the war and how he ends up and the end of it. Alive I hope! Any chance of more Starbuck novels coming out??

Roc Dosland

Dear Bernard , Just wanted to say I picked up The Starbuck Chronicles via ibooks (!) having thoroughly enjoyed Redcoat and The Fort. I simply wanted to let you know how absolutely excellent they were, particularly 3 &4. I really really hope you do a final (?) Starbuck perhaps of the Gettysburg campaign? Some of the very best reading I've had in ages. As a small snapshot for context I sit in my campervan, after a surf in Cornwall (all year round!) and absolutely loved reading this series - please, please do one more! Many thanks for all the stories over the years, Howard

Submitted June 7, 2011

A

I do hope to get back to Starbuck one of these days!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a great fan of the Sharpe and Saxon Series as well as the Azincourt book. Here in the Philippines, your books fly off the shelves. Will there be another "Azincourt" like book in the future? Have you considered writing about the crusades? Thank you. Jon

Jon Bello

Submitted June 7, 2011

A

I doubt I'll ever write about the Crusades. Another Azincourt-like book? That's a possibility!

Q

I am hooked on your books. Since discovering "Agincourt" about a month ago, I have finished it and started reading the "Saxon Stories" (I have read 2-1/2 so far.) I am interested in reading "The Arthur Books", but I was disappointed to see that none of them are available for the Amazon Kindle. For the past year or so, I have confined all of my reading to Kindle books, because I have run out of space to keep my printed books, and I cannot bear to part with any of my books. I have found that Kindle is the best answer for me to both read and keep books without having to find space to store them. Will "The Arthur Books" be available for Kindle format anytime soon?

Robert Davidson

Submitted June 7, 2011

A

I believe the Arthur books are available on Kindle in the UK - not sure why they're not in the US, but I know my agent is looking into it. Hopefully they will be available soon!