Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, you have been very good in posting and answering me in the past, so I thought I would throw in a fun question: I know you say on your site "Please don't send me scripts or suggestions for plots" for obvious reasons, but I have to wonder, did you ever read any and think for a minute "Hey that's quite good?" better still, I'd love to know what some of the wackier suggestions are that you have had for characters like Sharpe or Starbuck over the years that just made you laugh!!?? Respectfully, Ricky Phillips, Edinburgh

Submitted January 4, 2011

A

I honestly can't remember - usually, if someone suggests a story line, my yes glaze over (not because it's going to be risible, but because, for obvious reasons, I can't use it, and don't even want to read it). So, a disappointing answer - nothing to admit!

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell Had the "Fort" for xmas & finished it yesterday after taking a break to watch "Zulu"...Again..!!!! Firstly I'd like to thankyou for yet another hugely entertaining & informative read , Secondly could you suggest any books regarding the founding of the United States be it fictional or non-fictional. The "Fort" has really roused my interest in American history & its various & complex wars so once again thankyou very much although my partner may not agree as she has already lost me to Arthur , Vikings & Shieldwalls & now the Americas are calling..!!!

Lee Davies

Submitted January 4, 2011

A

I would recommend Robert Middlekauff's superb book 'The Glorious Cause'. It was published some time ago (from memory, Oxford University Press), but is a wonderful account of the American Revolution - I really cannot think of a better introduction. Middlekauff was a Professor of History at University of California, Berkeley - he knows his stuff!

Q

Are you planning to do a book tour anytime soon, and if so, will you be coming to Tennessee

Jerry King

Submitted January 4, 2011

A

Sorry, no plans for it.

Q

Hello Bernard! I'm a big fan of your work, and want to know when or if you will come back to Brazil... Best regards, Gabriel Linhares

Submitted January 4, 2011

A

I don't know when - hopefully one day soon!

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, I am a huge fan of your work, if fact just lately I have become an addict, having just got a Kindle I find it so easy just to pick up a book and read at any time, having finished all of the Sharpe series in 4months (I have turned the television on only for the news and question time....), I have now read the first two books in the Alfred series, the first was a paperback bought for me(£4.50) and the second Pale Horseman a kindle edition (£4.49) I now come to buy the third book in kindle format I notice the price is more than the paperback(Paper£4.44,Kindle£4.49), whilst I value the story at more than this price and will buy it anyway, I am interested in your opinion(from the other side of the debate - Writer instead of reader) of the merits of pricing the paperback lower than the electronic version, I know sending electronic mail around the world has its own carbon footprint and costs but I cant believe these are greater than the cost of printing, packaging, delivering and all of the unseen costs to the planet of the paper version, as well as this when I buy an electronic book I cannot then sell it or pass it on to anyone outside my immediate family thereby reducing its perceived value in my opinion, this to me will discourage people from buying electronic versions, some people will always prefer paper but I think e-books are the way and to have access to such a library from anywhere in the world can only encourage more readers which is in all our interests I believe. Sorry to bother you with this, dont let it stop you writing or researching. Best wishes for the year ahead. Jeff Cavanagh

Submitted January 4, 2011

A

I really know nothing about the way e-books are priced, or why they're priced the way they are, and I guess that's a question which should be asked of the publisher (with the help of a sharp pointed object). But I am interested in what you say about the impossibility (or at least difficulty) of passing on an e-book to friends or relatives. If e-books were easily transferable then I would be out of business inside six months! That's what happened to the music business (when did you last see a music store?). I'm beginning to think you're right and that e-books are the future (I like the Ipad, but that's just me, and I know its battery runs out much faster than the Kindle, which my wife prefers), but if you allow easy file-sharing then how does a writer earn a living?

Q

Dear Bernard, I just wondered if you had ever considered writing about the Anglo Zulu War of the 1870's? Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, Ulundi, Red Coats, Boers and hordes of Zulus, there must surely be enough there for a hero in the Sharpe mould to find himself in the thick of one of your thrilling trilogies? Kind Regards Justin

Submitted January 4, 2011

A

I've thought about it, but I don't think it's going to happen. Too many other things I've thought more about!

Q

I'm curious as to your opinion of the immigration situation in the United States. Some of us are trying very hard to allow illegal / undocumented aliens to become American citizens while seemingly ignoring those immigrants who are complying with our laws and paying the high fees associated with attaining citizenship. As one who was, amazingly, denied a green card, how do you view the current American policies and attitudes toward those born outside of the United States of attaining citizenship? I've read almost 40 of your books and I've loved them all. Thank you!

Al Hupp

Submitted January 3, 2011

A

I think there's a moderate policy which needs to be implemented, which is to allow established (though illegal) immigrants a route to full citizenship, while probably tightening up border controls. But the first is politically impossible (even though it has supporters on both sides of the aisle), and the second is probably physically impossible. The problem is that it's an emotional question, and emotions are easily stirred, and a sensible answer is not emotionally satisfying, so we'll muddle on in an inglorious way. We should be allowing far more well-qualified immigrants, and making student visas far easier, and every politician knows that, but it's a third-rail issue. It ain't gonna happen.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell. I just finished Agincourt (in America) and I have two questions: Have you received any negative feedback for your (accurate) portrayal of some clergy in the book? You describe the markings on the Trinity Royal and I searched for a rendering. Can you point me towards any images? Or were you working from a written description yourself? I loved the book, and look forward to The Fort next.

John Shaw

Submitted January 3, 2011

A

thank you! I get a few disgruntled comments, but it's water and a duck's back! You'll find an illustration of the trinity Royal's standards in Anne Curry's fine book, Agincourt.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Sometimes its hard to separate legend from truth regarding past military leaders. Through your extensive research of English warfare, which of these leaders (including or excluding ones discussed in your novel) truly live up to their modern-day images of glory? Mac McClure

Submitted January 3, 2011

A

Glory is an odd word . . . I suppose that a few military leaders had 'glorious' careers, Marlborough especially, and most people would add Wellington, though I'm sure he never thought of war as glorious - necessary, yes, and he was very good at it. It's easier to list who was successful, and you'd have to include Cromwell, Henry V, Edward I - but in almost every case we have simplified them (and I do as well). History is never exact, but a distillation of what happened, and usually a simplification, but it's hard to turn an inglorious career into a glorious one (though The Fort certainly describes an occasion when that happened). I'm less than impressed by Richard the lionheart, but most would disagree. William the Conqueror was pretty 'glorious', or at least victorious. Henry V was one of the best military leaders ever, yet now we only remember him for one battle - and we forget what an intolerant (and probably downright nasty) man he was!

Q

I heard your interview on Hugh Hewitt and had Agincourt in my hands the next day. Thank you! I loved the read. I remembered that you recommended to Hugh that readers are better off reading your works in order. Since Agincourt seems to stand alone, where would you recommend me to go? I loved the archery in the story and I'm a big fan of Shakespeare, so would you send me to the Archers Tale or to the Saxon Stories? Your guidance is appreciated and your works adored! Thanks again.

Rob Tweed

Submitted January 3, 2011

A

I hope you'll read both! It's best to read the books in the series in order, but either series next would be fine. I hope you enjoy them.