Your Questions

Hi Mr. Cornwell, First off can I just say, the Sharpe and Saxon series-Brilliant. No other description will suffice. I can't wait for the next publication in either series. I was never a fan of historical fiction until I found a copy of Sharpe's Tiger in a waiting room and was hooked. I have now turned into something of a book geek and have devoured every historical fiction novel I could find. The point of my e-mail was two fold, one was to say a heart felt thank you for the novels you have written. The second was to actually ask you about a fellow historical writer, William Napier. I recently finished his Attila series, and was wondering if you'd read it? If so I would love to hear your comments. I loved the first two in the series, but was devastated when I read the third. No matter how many Sharpe books I read, I'm left with the same feeling that I had when I read the first and the standard never slips, yet the Attila series turned an iron figure and devastating warrior clan into a horde who are out fought man for man at every detailed battle, and a leader who goes from military genius in the first two, to becoming a clod who is out thought at every stage. I understand the need to keep the results of battles accurate, but his treatment of characters that he'd written so well in the first two just seems baffling. I mean this as a heart felt comment but I chose to ask you thoughts on this as I consider you the best at what William Napier does and was just very curious to hear your thoughts. I understand how busy you must be but would look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your time. Adam Moran.

Like all who have posted - I add my "Bravo!" for a wonderful story in Azincourt. I was also happy to see as I browsed other comments that we'll get a a 5th Saxon Chronicle. I'll be ordering that from Amazon UK! Alas, I'm sorry that Starbuck isn't on your "to do" list! But that is another question. But, is Azincourt meant to be a series or is this a stand-alone book? Thank you for all the wonderful writing!
Carol Mathias

Hi Bernard, I encountered Rebel (Starbuck Chronicles) that a visiting American had donated in my school library (Mumbai, India) 15 years ago. Since then I have enjoyed countless hours reading and re-reading all the Starbuck chronicles, Grail Quest and Sharpe Series. Lovers of History across the world owe you a debt of gratitude as you introduce them to the magic of numerous past ages which can then be explored in greater depth. I had a question in this regard. While of course you must write on those periods which inspire you and we would enjoy anything you choose to write, I notice all your books till date are based on European and American History with leading characters who are mostly (for lack of a better word) white :) - Of course the part of the Sharpe series in India is an exception) I wonder if you have ever considered investigating a period of History from elsewhere in the world and writing a book which not only the history lovers of that region would love but would introduce the rest of the world to something new as well. It strikes me that a book set in any of the following periods or hundreds of others could prove interesting and offers good potential for maverick warriors like Sharpe and Starbuck. 1) The period when Genghis Khan and his descendants conquered huge swathes of the world in a few decades. 2) Any of dozens of distinct periods in Indian History eg. Adventures of a Maratha warrior (Western India) whose community rebelled against and defeated the Mughal empire several times their size and creating an empire in their own right. 3) The internal wars in Japan during the time of the Shoguns 4) Any part of Chinese history; say during any period of conflict with invading tribes from the north. 5) Any part of African history pre-colonization say when the Zulus created their empire or even pre-colonial South American say Mayan or Inca history (It is true historical records for this would be limited) 6) Any period in Native American history before European arrival or before they were a significant force in North America. 7) Any period of West Asian history not necessarily the crusades (possibly a lot more fighting occurred between Muslim nations than with crusaders even curing the centuries of the crusades) Would love to know your thoughts. Please feel free to edit this post if you would like to post it on your site. I think I got carried away with the topic :) Cheers Ryan.

WOW!!! I am amazed at your ability to write! I'm 17 years old and live in Hawaii... You are my favorite author... by far. Your stories are gripping. They hold me with a vice grip that never lets go. I read them twice, three times, four times, 10 times, and they never get old. I just got 'Sword Song' and I could not put it down. I read 6 hours straight to finish it. I was curious though, what made you write the book with a view of the sword singing, and hissing? It is brilliant however. I absolutely love every twist and turn that your books take. I have read almost all of your books, and an excerpt from the new one Agincourt. I honestly can say that you are my favorite author. I was curious at what you do to generate ideas... I have been reading other books similar to this, but they do not seem to generate the binding effect that your books have on me.

I also was curious as to the direction that Uhtred of Bebbanburg will be taking. When can we look forward to obsessing over your next book? Thank you so much for writing all theses years, it has been an extreme pleasure to sit and read your books.
Michael Maertens

Before I read Azincourt there is a small matter of finishing the second Lazender novel,Fallen Angels. I was wondering if you have any plans to follow it up? I'm asking because it is an exellent read and made a three hour train journey from Scunthorpe to London seem like half an hour and the first one I couldn't put down 'til I finished it at 3am one morning in December. Way past my bedtime I might add. Cheers.John.

Mr.Cornwell, have you ever heard of or read anything about st.Patrick walking across Europe and finding a devastated area that a meteor strike could have caused in the end of the 5th or beginning of the 6th centuries a.d. Stanton Garth Cummings

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a great fan of all of your books, and just wanted to say thank you for writing them before I go on. I'm currently writing an essay trying to analyse the impact of historical fiction on the academic study of history and your books will be one of (or possibly the only!) case study I use.Things I will probably cover include whether historical fiction adds to our knowledge by giving us more 'flavour' of the times and brings to life the period in question or whether it detracts because of so called poetic license, enforced changed or possible inaccuracies or modern day prejudices affecting the characters. Above all I'm looking to see whether it is a positive or negative influence, and I was wondering whether you had any thoughts yourself on the subject. The notes you have at the back of some of your books about how you have researched the subject have been very useful as well. Hopefully I've explained what I'm doing so it makes sense, I've been working on the essay today and my brain is a little fried! Anything you have to say would be helpful. Alisdair Boyles

Sir, Having just completed a marathon re-read of all 21 of the Sharpe books, in chronological order, over Xmas, it got my brain wondering as to when, where or how you could possibly fit another wonderful Sharpe and Harper tale into the timeline of the 1800's ...so I went and looked, and sadly they just don't quite fit into participating in the Mexican War of Independence(not enough time after Napoleon's death), then I looked at the Irish Potato Famine, but Richard would have been 58 when that started so probably a little too old...I did come up with one, though, that fits into the real life timeline of events and would provide a possible scenario for a Sharpe Novel "Sharpe and the Battles of the Nive"(9-13 December 1813) ..especially when you see that "Daddy" Hill was the general who actually ran that Battle, an old "friend" of Richard Sharpe, and brings in our well-loved enemy Marshal Soult ...and, unusually, for most of the battle, Wellington remained with the Reserve...could he have been involved with some sort of skullduggery with Sharpe and Patrick Harper? Who knows, and as you write the novels, I have to leave it to the maestro..but it fits... Best regards and thanks again for a great series of novels Regards Graham Bradbury

I have just finished Azincourt and enjoyed it enormously. You mention in the historical note just three books, and I am sure there must be umpteen written over the years. Is this why you did not mention Christopher Hibberts book? Or did you not rate it as highly as I did?
Harold Goldblatt

Dear Mr. Cornwell: You're my favorite author; thank you so much. Your guidelines for not accepting suggestions are not too clear, as they seem to pertain only the Sharpe series. (So here goes, please forgive any trespass on my part.) I would love to read one or two books on Edward III and especially Edward of Woodstock, The Black Prince, (and, of course, his brother John of Gaunt), and the Black Prince's most famous engagements in France at Poiters and Crecy. These were England's greatest rulers, and England's greatest moments in military history, at least up until September 1940. I understand these archer victories over the French were much like that at Agincourt, but you must pay tribute to these high points of English history. I'm confident you can make them fresh and exciting. The Black Prince is watching and waiting. Thank you. Sincerely, MBL