Your Questions

I was a pupil at Ashingdon Primary School, Essex, in the 50s. After hearing Desert Island Discs, I've become convinced you taught me history there. If so, at age 9, you were my first sex symbol. Please satisfy my curiosity. Sheila Compton nee Neal

It always seems too long between your books!! Love them. Do you know when the Burning Land will be available in Australia? If it's too long I may have to get a friend to send one from England. Thank You Peter Cumes

I wanted to contact you and thank you for the wonderful Sharpe books, I watched the BBC series and became hooked and bought all the books. When will the next one be published? I grew up in a town in Ireland called Ballincollig, so when you have Sharpe talking about the superior British Gunpowder, I have to laugh as Sharpe probably doesn't realize that much of his British gunpowder is coming from the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig Co. Cork which was the second largest producer at the time, second only to Waltham Abbey. The Mills went into private ownership after the French defeat and finally out of business after the invention of Nitro Glycerine, they have since been restored, some pictures and information can be found on http://ballincollig.wordpress.com/gunpowder-mills/.
Jo McDonough

Have you ever heard the song "The Last Farewell" by Roger Whittaker? For some reason, every time I hear it, it reminds me of Sharpe. Don't know why. I guess it's the stanza where he says there's a wicked war blazing and the taste of was he knows so well.

Jonathan Mullins

Hello! So, I am Helena, from Brazil. I have read a few of your books and I'm still reading them, I would have read more if there were more available in Brazil to buy, not that I can't read them in English is just that the shipping is too expensive. I want to say that you're welcome at the tropical lands of Brazil and that unfortunately I won't be able to go to Bienal and meet you. I would really like to have your signature on my books but I guess that will have to wait for another opportunity. Maybe someday you'll come to the southern part of Brazil too? (Looking forward to it!) Keep the great work going! A fan of yours, Helena

Hi Bernard Cornwell, I love your Sharpe books, they are my favourite Napoleonic War series, tell me how many books of the Sharpe series have you plan them to be? Thanks, Jak Taberner

Hello, My interest, both historically and literarily, in the Napoleonic Wars was initially sparked by your novels. Even in the novels which I felt were not up to your usual standards, the historical notes at the end were both enlightening and entertaining. I recently read two novels by Jay Worrall who has a Sharpe-like character (though born rich) serving as a Captain with Nelson. Worrall shows his admiration for both OBrien and Forester by having his hero, Charles Edgemont, briefly interact with both Aubrey (good in the film, a prig in the book) and Hornblower (a man among men). What concerns me, and why I am boring you with this, is that at one point Worrall refers to a Captain who had come up from the ranks, something that was rare in the Royal Navy, but never in the Army (referred to as a Mustang in my USMC). On your behalf, I took offence. I am certain that it must have occurred in the Army of that time, or you wouldnt have written it. Please enlighten me. Darcy Vernier

Hi Bernard, A writing question if you don't mind too much answering. Is it OK to use the following. "I'm fine," she smiled. I've read somewhere that "I'm fine," she said with a smile. is better English but I think she smiled is slicker and less cumbersome. Apologies if this is too silly a question to answer. Kind Regards, Willie

Hello Bernard. I recently read a book based around Robin Hood which incidentally had a sticker on it which stated that the book was as good as Bernard Cornwall or your money back. Anyway the book wasnt good but it did make me wish for you to do your own take on the Subject. I know in the past you have stated that you have given it some consideration but could I encourage you to make it a reality and do it soon. I look forward to your comments

Gareth Locke

I am an avid reader of books which take me to a time long ago.I have read all the Starbuck Chronicles, the Grail Quest and Stonehenge. I have not ventured into the Sharpe Books as I prefer tales of the UK!! I have just finished following Uhtred through Saxon "England". I look forward to the final book in the series. My reading covers quite a long time scale from pre-Stonehenge to Tudor times. I am able to identify with the Roman civilisation; even when the empire was coming to an end. I can certainly feel for Starbuck and appreciate the conditions then both politically and socially. I have no doubt that you researched the Saxon times with your usual thoroughness and that your depiction of that time could well be accurate. What I find disturbing is MY inability to come to terms with that era. The behaviour and philosophy behind the main characters seem to be totally distinct from other periods of history. Reading the four books so far has given me much food for thought - I have found them annoying, disturbing, but also compelling. I find that I cannot identify with Arthur and his court, nor with the "pagans". I would be interested if other people have found the same feelings for a time so very different from other periods in history. Thank you for providing such excellent material and I hope to continue taking advantage of you storytelling. I think it must be the Arthur books next. Yours sincerely Clive L.Caulfield