Your Questions

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

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

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

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

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.


Q

My father and I are huge fans of your books, especially the Arthur and Archer trilogies. Do you ever do speaking engagements, and if so do you ever make it to the northern California/San Fransisco area? I realize it's a long shot but I thought it worth asking as we'd love to hear you speak about the books.

David Gould

A

Sorry, no plans for a visit to California any time soon.


Q

Hi Bernard I would like to know when you latest book in the Saxon Series will be available in Australia? I have been looking at the book stores everywhere but now see here that it is available in the UK and US. I can't wait to continue the adventure!! Best regards Helen....

A

The Burning Land was published in Australia in hardback in 2009 and in paperback in 2010, so hopefully you shouldn't be having any problems getting it. It's available through Amazon and I would think could be ordered by most booksellers.


Q

Are there any plans to re-release your books in hardcover, maybe with nice enough bindings that my wife won't hide them in a closet?

Thanks for all your books. I've enjoyed every one, but especially the Arthur books. When I recently heard of a hoard of treasure being found in England, I thought of Derfel. Any more books following his life? Merry Christmas, Joe

A

Sorry to hear your wife hides them in a closet!!! No plans right now.

No, I will not be adding to Derfel's story.


Q

I've just finished Stonehenge and really enjoyed it. I wondered if working in a such a far off period where there is so little established history gave you an added sense of freedom when writing, as with the Arthur trilogy? Do you have any plans to return to the long ago?

Tony Mills

A

Sometimes it gives you that freedom - it certainly did with the Arthurian stories - but it was a bit confining with Stonehenge because there was really so little material to begin with and I found it more difficult than I'd expected.


Q

hello, I've just finished reading 'The Burning Land', and I was wondering if you had started writing the next book? and if you had any idea when it will be released? P.S. This series and the Arthurian series are some of my favourite books, thanks for writing them. Thanks and Regards, Calum Ryan

Please, when do we find out more about Uhtred? When will the next Saxon Story be available? Please don't leave us hanging for too long!

Karen Franks

I'm loving the Saxon Books and was wondering when the next one was coming out, read them twice over getting worn out
Gary Bond

Will you be finishing the "Saxon Stories" with Uhtred? If so, when will the next book be out? I read the first five in a month and really enjoyed them. I look forward to the next book in this installment. Thank you.

Adam

A

I'm working on the next Saxon Tale now; if all goes well, we hope to see it published in autumn 2011.


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell : First of all let me tell you who I am. I am quite sure that you will be surprised by the fact that you have a fan in distant lands. I am a Peruvian (PERU in South America) attorney who just loves your saxon books. I read "The Last Kingdom" about three years ago, and ever since I became instantly fascinated by Uhtred`s adventures and by the historical background in which they take place. I just finished reading "A Burning Land" and simply can`t wait to read the next book in the series. I am quite excited by the fact that according to the book`s last pages there are still more adventures of Uhtred to come. I do hope you keep writing about the viking invasions to the UK, and here is where my question fits in, how many more books related to the saxon tales do you think you will write? Regards and please DO NOT stop writing books for the sake of all your fans (like me). Gonzalo Ferrero

Hello Bernard I am a Italian boy, I am 13, I read "The Pale Horseman", "The Lords of the North" and "THE BURNING LAND", I aspect the book where Uhtred conquest Bebbanburg, how many books I Will have to read when that happens? Marco Romolo

A

I wish I knew. Six? Eight? I don't know.