Your Questions

Happy Holidays, Bernard. Sometime ago I wrote you with a full listing of the guesses regarding Sharpe's father. Lot of guesses -- many of them mine. This was the first time I had written you without a response. Was that because in that email I guessed that Tarleton was the father -- and I was right? Or was it just misplaced under the avalanche of posts you get? Still hoping for more Starbuck and I'll see you in Fredericksburg. Cheers, Scott

Happy New Years, Mr. Cornwell. I hope the coming year is both prosperous and productive for you in all ways! At this point, as you are moving towards finishing Uhtred #6, I suspect you are giving a bit of thought to what to write next. Eventually, it will be Sharpe, if not this time then probably the next. I am writing to try to dissuade you from an unfortunate course you seem to be on that I fear will cause the Sharpe saga to fall short of what it should be. As I look at the Sharpe books, I see a gaping wound in the story. That wound is the year 1808, falling between ’Sharpe’s Prey’ and ’Sharpe’s Rifles.’ The gap must be filled. I know that you have said many times that having taken Sharpe back once; you are not inclined to do so again. But it seems to me that this is exactly what you must do. Here, I think, you must think not in terms of what you WANT to do, but rather of what you SHOULD do. The year 1808, when Sharpe first came to the Peninsula is crucial to his saga. What is required is two NOVELS to bridge the gap. The first should deal with Sharpe’s arrival in the Peninsula and his fighting the battles of Rolica and Vimeiro (since they were only four days apart, they can be handled in one novel). The second should cover the beginning of Moore’s campaign into Galicia, his retreat before Napoleon, and Sharpe’s rearguard action at Lugo. It should end literally the minute before ’Rifles’ begins. I recall your having said that you might cover this time in a couple of short stories. This would be a totally inadequate measure. All three of your short stories have been about small events, over with in the course of a single day. To try and cover such major battles and troop movements as I have cited above would be like using a band-aid where heart bypass surgery is needed. It simply won’t do the trick. You have a number of possibilities for future Sharpe short stories: a) One set in India where Sharpe tracks a man-eating tiger or leopard. b) One before Prey where we see Sharpe getting settled into the Rifles. c) The action on the Coa River, between ’Eagle’ and ’Gold.’ d) Sharpe’s recruitment trip home to England before ’Company,’ where he first met Jane. e) Sharpe and Harper in Paris after ’Waterloo.’ But all of these are comparatively small events that can be covered adequately in a short story format. The two events of 1808 I have cited cannot. Think of what pale, insipid caricatures of themselves ’Eagle’ or ’Company’ would have been if you had written them as short stories rather than novels. Trying to pass off Rolica/Vimeiro or Moore’s campaign as short stories would have the same unsatisfying result. I sincerely hope I have not come across as in any way disrespectful in this note; it was the farthest thing from my intention. But it just seems to me that you owe it to yourself, your fans, and Sharpe himself to take the trouble to cover 1808 as it deserves. Alan Kempner

Dear Bernard First let me wish you a happy new year. Second in the historical note in Azincourt you mention a lot of the famous British/French battles down the ages I wondered if you have or could ever be tempted to write a 1 off book on the battle of Fontenoy 1745. Its obviously quite famous in France but rather unknown in the UK yet Napoleon himself would declare that it kept the Ancien Regime alive for another 30 years.

Finally as the Hundred years war still has a way to go after Agincourt will you ever write a sequel to Azincourt and have Nick go up against Joan of Arc? Yours sincerely Geraint

Greetings Mr Cornwell, health and contentment for the new year. I was wondering if you ever thought of doing a one off book about H M S Victory? The complete history. In a way you did it with Stonehenge.

What do you do when you hit a block when writing? Or does this never happen to you? Do you stomp around? Have a cup of tea? Go for a walk? I look forward to your next book. Nicholas

I've just read the Fort, Loved it, but, how you ended it, could there be a second? Also, what about the Saxon Series, will there be a Sixth Book devoted to Uhtred? I really Love that Series

Jerry King

Dear Mr. Cornwell, 3 questions: 1.Is there a topic you particularly would enjoy writing about and have not yet done so? and why.

2. Who would be your favorite military leader of all time and why? I personally am a fan of Robert E. Lee for his efforts against Santa Ana.

3. Have you considered writing about military technology advancements? or possibly a supplemental reading on some of the technologies used or tactics applied throughout your books (such as the Saxon series)? Thank you for your time, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, Rich

Hi: This is a question that probably requires a dissertation, but I've always wondered. When you look at a map of the world England doesn't look like much. How did this tiny speck of dirt come to control so much of the world? I sort of suspect that the answer will probably be a very British "How, indeed." Love your books. Tom, Port Angeles, WA

Did you know that a Lieutenant Sharpe fought under Canrobert as a liaison between the Voltigeurs and Light rifles who were attached to the Guards regiments on the Crimean Peninsular? Off course he got into all kinds of trouble with his superiors but many times saved the day. Just an idea ;-)

Philip

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have read your Starbuck books over the years and immensely enjoyed them. Just recently I read The Fort, and remembered just how thoroughly I liked your writing. However,I have often looked at the Sharpe series and would always say to myself that British military history would not interest me - only American. Well, I can honestly now admit how completely wrong I was! I borrowed Sharpe's Tiger from my local library and am now completely hooked. I am just finishing Sharpe's Rifles and I am more than looking forward to reading and enjoying the whole series. My question to you is this; I am currently reading them in chronological order. How would YOU, being the author, recommend to read them? As I am, or in published date order? I thank you once again for blessing us with your superb writing skills and look forward to the continued enjoyment of your books. With Best Regards, Jay Mooney

Dear Mr. Cornwell, my husband read all your Saxon Stories in German. He said, that are books, he never read before. He loves them. He can´t expect waiting for the following book. I read, that you will continue the Saxon stories. Will the new book also be translated in German? Can you say at which time after the English version? Thank you for your time. Jasminka

Mr. Cornwell I have started reading your Sharp series recently and have red all the Saxon series you have written. My question to you sir is when are you going to write a new Saxon series book. They are so epic that I get overly excited hoping that you will have a new one soon. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely Mark Harris

We love the Saxon books and can't wait for the next one to come out. When do you think that will be? Let us know if there's anything we can do to help.
Michael and Cynde Route

When will the next book in the Saxon series be written? That is possibly the best set of books ever written..

Kelly Fairchild