Your Questions

Q

Hi again Mr. Cornwell. Permit me a somewhat personal question. Your heroes are all basically fighting men, skilled in the use of weapons. Where do you stand on the ordinary citizen's right to keep and bear arms? Your perspective is of interest, since you come from a country where there is no such right (Britain) and now live in one (USA) where it is written into the Constitution. I know this question is getting into politics, so if you'd rather not divulge your viewpoint, that's okay, I understand. Alan Kempner

Submitted June 30, 2009

A

Think of a dozen of your acquaintances and work out whether you want any or all of them to carry a handgun? You must know at least one irresponsible idiot? Luck you if you don't. I'm not sure that one rule fits all, and it's my conviction that the Constitution is very clear . . . the right to bear arms is tied to the need to raise a militia. If it isn't, why mention the militia at all? Why not say 'there are so many whitetail deer that the right to bear arms . . . '. I'm all for the Swiss system. whereby folk who have undergone military training and service have the right to bear arms, but spare me the ****wits who just like guns!

Q

Have you or your publisher ever considered courting a software developer to create a video game of Sharpe's adventures? A well developed one of course--PC first person shooter, or strategy perhaps? Thanks, Matthew

Submitted June 30, 2009

A

I think there has been talk of it - but I haven't seen one yet!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I enjoy your writing very much, but in "Redcoat" p. 83 you write, "...but Caroline, whom Woolard was certain knew the truth, was contemptuous and defiant." It should have been "who," of course, as a subject.There's the same problem in "Sharpe's Honor," p. 62:"The Marques stared at Sharpe, seeing the man whom he believed had insulted his wife..." Here again it's as if you're saying, "Him insulted his wife." It's as if you have trouble differentiating between nominative and accusative, subject and object. In the same book, "Sharpe's Honor," p. 73, you seem to have trouble with a simple object of the preposition: "From you and I , my Lord." Clearly it should be "From you and me, my Lord." As I enjoy your writing very much , and as a pedant, I hope you will take this criticism as constructive and friendly. Sincerely, Newton Bowdan

Submitted June 30, 2009

A

Well, I'm so glad you enjoy my writing, and you're quite right, I have ENORMOUS trouble with the simple object of a preposition and, even worse, I don't care. Let me quote Montaigne; 'He knows neither ablative, conjunctive, substantive, nor grammar . . . and yet if you have a mind to it he will entertain you.'

Q

My great compliments on the books you write, I am a great fan of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, and to say he became a hero to me is a title that is still too low for the great Uhtred. I started a survey about norse/anglo-saxon usage of helmets, most of the authors speak that the usage of the Common Spangenhelm were used(the conical one with nose guard), hearing a lot that Helms like The sutton hoo, or gjermundbu(the only actual viking age helmet found in scandinavia) weren't usable in a battle, due to the adorns on them. I would like to kindly ask, the sources so I can get further reading about the usage of the helmets,(or even sources that can really shed a light on me on this matter) unfortunately where I live, Brazil, people doesn't seem to be really interested in norse/saxons, and books come here with less frequency, making me order from US, or UK. I have been waiting for the new book of the saxon stories, almost impatiently(hehe, sorry I am a compulsive reader) here some cheers from a Brazilian fan! thanks for the time, have a nice week.
Phill

Submitted June 30, 2009

A

I'm fairly certain that the commonest helmets were the simplest - the conical shape to which a guy might add a nose-piece when he had the chance. It's simply a question of economy! But I'm equally sure that the greatest lords, the jarls and ealdormen, the richest men, wore far more elaborate helmets; partly to display their status, and partly to deter enemies - the more accoutrements you have, the more likely you are to be a great warrior. The Gjermundbu helmet does have a face plate, protecting the eyes and nose, and it isn't elaborate enough to be a funeral piece (like the Sutton Hoo helmet) so I think we can assume that it represents a modification of the basic spangelhelm. Paddy Griffiths, in The Viking Art of War, has a good chapter on Viking arms and armour!

Q

Dear Sir, can you please tell me will there be a follow up book to AZINCOURT as I have just started reading and I find your books MAGIC.
Dennis Gillam

I just finished reading Agincourt. Please tell me another Nicholas Hook/Melisande book will follow and soon.
Pat

Submitted June 30, 2009

A

There is a chance, but only a chance, that there may be more.

Q

Mr. Cornwall, I'm 16, a keen reader and learner and a devout fan of your works, especially the Saxon Stories. I was wondering when the next of your books, The Burning Land, will be available in Australia?

Jim

Submitted June 30, 2009

A

In October I think. As far as I know, Australia follows the same publishing schedule as the UK.

Q

Hello Bernard, I have been reading your books since I picked up Sharpe's Rifles off the shelf in WHSmith's in the early 90's and am currently reading Azincourt. Great stuff. I have heard rumours that there may be no more Sharpe stories on tv which would be a great shame. Have you heard anything to the contrary? Best wishes. Simon, Manchester UK.

Submitted June 30, 2009

A

This is a mystery . . . meaning I don't know. I heard a rumour (and hope it's true) that there will be another, but it all depends on the budget and on Sean's availability, and maybe on the position of the stars in the heavens too.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell I've recently heard that you are coming to Brazil in septembre. I'd like to know if that is true. If so, I'd also like to know where are you going to be talking! Best wishes.
Yannick Cukierman

Submitted June 29, 2009

A

Yes, it is true. I will be at the Rio de Janeiro Book Fair beginning 10 September 2009. I am not sure of the exact schedule yet, but it will be posted to the Diary page of this website once we know the details.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, Just a quick question for you. I got my hands on The Sharpe Companion book. Is it better to read this book after I have read all the Sharpe books, between, or before. So far I only read Sharpe's Tiger and currently reading Sharpe's Triumph. Where would the companion fit in. Thanks in advance, your avid reader, Vadim.

Submitted June 29, 2009

A

I'd read it at the same time! It has a chapter more or less on each of the Sharpe books - so why not use it as a companion book?

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I appreciate the Saxon Stories very much and have just finished reading Sword Song. I've seen that the fifth book Burning Land is going to be released this year and can't wait to get it into my hands. My question is, how many parts do you plan for Saxon Stories? greeting Martin

Submitted June 29, 2009

A

I don't know yet - more than six, less than twelve? Just not sure.