How many books will there be in the Saxon series?
Gary Schwartz
Don't know...at least 6, probably more...
Are you planning to write any more books about the Royal Navy as you did in Sharpe's Trafalgar? I really enjoyed the descriptions of life aboard the Pucelle. It lead me to researching the battle and I found out that a distant relative of mine called John Sales fought in the Battle of Trafalgar. He was press-ganged into serving on HMS Revenge. He was 45 years old and from your descriptions must have had a pretty miserable time! Jake Sales
I doubt I'll ever write another naval story - they're incredibly difficult because you can't shift characters out of each other's way - they're all stuck on board a ship. Writing Sharpe's Trafalgar hugely increased my respect for CS Forester and Patrick O'Brian.
dear Mr. Cornwell, I am currently doing my A level coursework and am doing about Robert E. Lee, I need to evaluate the opinion that he was a military genius, and after reading your Starbuck books I had the idea of looking for newspaper articles criticising him, calling him the ace of spades etc as I need to discuss opinions that are both positive and negative. I was wondering if you could tell me where you got your information from for this as I cannot find it and I will need to quote my sources and read the articles. I would be grateful for any help you could give me!! Thank you Daniel McEvilly
I don't know that I can help . . . I can't point you to one source that will give what you want. My sources were various and were read over many years. I certainly wouldn't trust contemporary newspapers that were mostly written by fiercely partisan journalists who had very little accurate information. I guess all you can do is read the various historians who discuss Lee and compare their judgements with each other and against whatever you decide is the accurate background, and that's fairly bland and useless advice. I'd certainly read James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom and use that as a basis . . . and if you look on Amazon you'll find various eyewitness compilations that might give you contemporary opinions . . . .sorry, I know this isn't very useful.
Dear Sir, just a short question. Are there plans to make another Sharpe Novel? If so, which part of his career/life will it cover? Also it's a shame you missed the opportunity of a shoot off between Hagman and the Young pretender Taylor in Sharpe's Enemy, will always wonder who would've won although I think Hagman probably would've! Thanks so much for the fantastic adventures we've all shared with Sharpe. Lee
Sharpe is getting a well-deserved rest. I won't know what the next Sharpe will be til I get there...and that's a least a year or more away.
Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a very big fan of your work. I started reading your books when they first launched The Winter King here in Brazil. I have read all of them, all three of The Grail Quest and am currently finishing the Pale Horseman. Something came to my attention while reading this books and it was the constant use of the number 12. Have you ever noticed that or, by any means, have done that on purpose? Almost every time that a number must be used it is the number 12 - mostly used in common sentences as in "...a small stairs with 12 steps...", "had only 12 arrows left...", "...he went along with 11 others..." (note that these aren't actual examples... Are you aware of that? The last use of this was when I read your response for the question: "How many books will there be in the Saxon Stories?" and, as I read, your answer was: "I don't know, more than 4 and less than 12.". I hope I don't sound too crazy! I really like your books and look forward to reading many more! Thank you for your time, André Rumjanek
Sounds like a habit on my part, and laziness . . . I shall change it to 14 from now on!
Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am reading "Sword Song" right now and I'm enjoying it but I am also reading a book on the battle of Hastings that mentions housecarls. First, I know this is stupid to ask but, were housecarls around when Uhtred lived, and second, will you ever write a book on the battle of Hastings? thanks for your time, Bradly Paul
Housecarls are the household warriors . . . so I mention them without using the word, perhaps I should. And no, I'm not planning a book on Hastings!
Hi Bernard Just wondering what your plans are post Azincourt, which i am looking forward to immensely by the way. When will we see Sharpe and Uhtred again? Just read the Arthur series again!!! What a read. Neil
Hello, Just wanted to know when is the next Sharpe book coming out? thank you Ian
Don't know for sure - too busy with the current book. I would guess Uhtred next....Can't say when there might be a new Sharpe.
JUST FINISHED THE NEW BOOK SWORD SONG AND OF COURSE I LOVED IT. I HAVE READ ALL THE SHARPE SERIES ACTUALLY SOME MORE THAN ONCE AS WELL AS ALL YOUR OTHER BOOKS. YOU HAVE PROVIDED ME MANY HAPPY HOURS AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU! HAVE YOU EVER READ THE RICHARD BOLITHO SERIES OF BOOKS BY ALEXANDER KENT? THEY RANK RIGHT UP THERE WITH SHARPE FOR WONDERFUL READING. REGARDS, DAN
Thank you. I did enjoy Mr. Kent's books.
Hello Bernard, I'm a very big fan and am trying to obtain all your books. My favourite series is the Saxon series. In the series you use the phrase "fate is inexorable" with the translation " wyrd bid ful aread". I was hoping for info on this. eg. what language, period, is it a true translation etc.. thanks and please keep writing. Luke Coulter
It's a phrase from an Old English poem - so it's genuine, and the translation is mine.
Hi Mr Cornwell, Just like to start by saying I'm a huge fan of all your work, especially the Sharpe series.I've read as many of the books that I could get my hands on and have one query.I recently read Sharpe's Enemy and am wondering if Sharpe's daughter Antonia makes any further appearances in the series and if her faith during and/or after the war is divulged? Donncha
I have no idea what happened to Antonia . . . . and I know people keep asking me and I keep making the same unsatisfactory answer. Maybe one day I'll find out (the only way to do that is to write it, and I'm not planning on it yet).