Your Questions

Q

I have just been given a full set (I think) of the Sharpe books, in which order are they to be read?thanks, d.king

Submitted June 10, 2011

A

Click on the Sharpe books link in the box to your right. It will take you to a page listing the Sharpe books in chronological order; a good order in which to read them.

Q

Hi, today I bought my 12th BC novel "Wild track"! In the late 90's I lived in Brighton where I also bought my first BC novel "Winter King". I was attracted by the Sutton Hoo helmet on the cover. Similar helmets dating from 550-750 AD have been found in an an area around Uppsala (Sweden) called Roslagen (eng Ruse-law) and where my family have our summer house. I am still amazed that a small kingdom in mid-Sweden had some kind of connections/exchange to "Arthur's Britain". One of the fable kings buried here, Ivar, is said to have collected taxes around the Baltics and even in Northumbria. How much have you studied Scandinavian history and will any story take place here? Best rgds, Hans T, Stockholm Sweden

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

Will I set a tale in Scandinavia? I somehow doubt it (but never say never). The Scandinavians were kind enough to send their ships to Britain (which I do understand) so I'll probably stay with them there. And, of course, really the whole history of northern Europe up to the 11th Century revolves around the Scandinavians (what James Joyce called Scandiknavery).

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

Please Please please, can you fill in the yawning gap in Richard Sharpe's military life, how did he come to love the Bakers rifle? how did he fit in to the 95th when he was tranferred from the redcoat regt (I believe the 12th) all of this I take it, was when he was in the UK? how did he get on in the 95th mess? how and why was he sent to Portugal? I can only guess, but you can bring it to light. Ken (UK)

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

Perhaps - if I do it will be a short story - I'm not going backwards with another novel! So - - - maybe?

Q

I became acquainted with your writing about a month ago, when I read "Agincourt". Since then, I have read the first two books of the Saxon Stories, and I am on my third. I hope to eventually read all of your books. I noticed a recent question asked you about casting for Nicholas Hook in a forthcoming movie version of Agincourt. Two actors immediately came to mind for me: Matt Damon (from The Bourne Trilogy) as Nicholas Hook (young, strong, muscular, aggressive) and Liam Neeson (from the movie Rob Roy) as Sir John Cornwaille (a hard, wise, experienced fighter and leader). What would your opinion be for these two casting choices?

Robert Davidson

Submitted June 8, 2011

A

I don't think I have an opinion! I mean I'm sure they'd be terrific, but I'm no expert! Sorry to be so unresponsive, but it just isn't a thing I ever contemplate!