Your Questions

If you had to pick between Wellington and Napoleon, who do you think would be the better strategist?

Chris Moore

Dear sir i love sharpe, its a great story. what made you want to write sharpe? where did you think of the name richard sharpe?

Kayleigh

Hi Bernard! Thanks for another great read - just finished Uhtred#5. A comment and a question if you're interested! I expect it is the British love of the underdog that makes us (Brits) enjoy a writers protagonist who starts 'lowly' and finds himself promoted to lead men - Sharpe, Derfel, Uhtred, Thomas of Hookton, Nick Hook... even supporting characters get the touch (Steapa is a champion is he not?) Alexander Kent and C S Forester are two of my other favourites who, like you give us similar heroes. Here is my question: Unsuprisingly there are loads of authors who list your work as their inspiration for writing - Simon Scarrow being an obvious example with his 'rising through the ranks' star. Who, of the these inspired authors would you most recommend to a hero-hungry reader like myself? Thanks (and roll on Uhtred#6!) Simon, Lincoln UK

Hi Mr. Cornwell, me again...I've been here a few times. I wanted to know what you normally read? Different question from the old 'when is Starbuck coming back' line I know! Do you read history or fiction or any certain genres or specific authors at all? Also, completely off subject, but as I know you like your sailing, did you know I'm great great great grandson to Henry Blogg of Cromer? Ever looked him up? Saved more lives at sea than anyone else before or since I believe, and has his own museum. And no, I'm not suggesting he's worthy of a book, but he did win the GC! Just wondering, but more interested in what you actually read!

Ricky Phillips

What ever happen to Nick Hook? Will there be more books about him?

James O'Connell

Hi Bernard: Just finished reading "The Bloody Ground" which is the first book of yours I've ever read and I must say I REALLY enjoyed it. I was in tears of sadness & joy at times, laughing, cheering and a whole mix of emotions. I've always been very interested in the American Civil War so this was a really fascinating book to me. I pumped it into the search engine to find out whether you had written more books on a similar topic, and I found this site and discovered there were three other Starbuck novels! Wow, only I seem to have read the last one first, although I guess that probably won't matter too much. It's certainly a credit to your writing that I read the last book and didn't need to have read any of the others to get to grasps with Starbuck's character. I'm going to order the other books in the Starbuck series, and certainly hope that there are some more to come! Can you recommend other Civil War books? Thanks Becky

Hello Bernard, it's been a while since I asked you a question but this is one that intrigues me, when do you decide on the title? Do you start with it or does it come to you as you are writing the novel? Have you ever struggled to settle on a title? Do you ever send a title to the publishers who then don't like it? And finally, why did 'Captivate, Kill or Destroy' become 'The Fort'. Having you finished the book I preferred the earlier title. Thank you, Barry Evans, Doncaster, UK

Hi, I was wondering if the next book in the Saxon Stories is in the pipeline at all or in the near future? I have to say these books are amazing, I think I must have read them at least five or six times each, I'm actually currently reading them all again now (chuckle). Anyway thank you for all of your amazing books. Thom Waller

Ps. I'm going to be really cheeky here and ask if you could create a Northman called Thorleif Tokison (son of the late ship master) for your next book. Anyway thanks again.

Hi Bernard. I love reading the letters on your web page, almost as much as I love your books. Just a historical point I'd like to add, somewhere in my studies I found a reference to the Napoleonic army testing Various Rifles, but found they fouled so badly that they were practically unusable after a few rounds. Perhaps the French powder or the design of the rifling let them down. I'd be interested if any of your other fans could throw more light on the subject.

Can't wait for the next Uhtred, have you got a title yet? Regards Roy Manton.

Hi Bernard, Having read all of Sharpe, Redcoat, the Fort and now I am working through the Starbuck Chronicles, there is a question that often crops up for me. Whenever you describe the loading of the Muskets and Rifles, it appears that the order of things is that it is Powder, Wad and then the bullet. I had always assumed that the wad would go in last to stop the bullet rolling out. So is it that the bullet jams into the wad to hold it in?

Richard Blackwell