Your Questions

Q

I am writing to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your books I have just finished reading the saxon stories again in time for your new book coming out next month. I have read all of your books and was wondering when you will be finishing the starbuck chronicles? write back David Rutherford

I was just wondering after reading your last instalment again, if there are any plans for any more Starbuck books. Will Starbuck meet Billy Blythe again ?. The last line in the book says 'Starbuck will march again'. Will starbuck and the legion go to Chancellorsville or Gettysburg ?. Terence Aldcroft

Submitted September 11, 2007

A

I do plan to get back to Starbuck one day so hopefully we will find out.

Q

Hi Bernard Im looking forward to the release of Sword song this autumn and also of the impeding (hopefully) novel on Agincourt at some point in the future. I was wondering if you have ever consider ed writing a novel on any of the following historic British characters Robin Hood, Dick Turpin, Hereward the wake, William Wallace or Boudicca? I have also just re-read lords of the north and was wondering when we see any of Uhtreds children especially after Uhtred was told that one of his sons will break his heart, another will make him proud and his daughter will be mother of kings. Thanks for all the great books Phil

Submitted September 11, 2007

A

Hereward is a good tale so who knows? I've thought about Robin Hood a few times, but it is not likely to happen any time soon. I probably won't write a book on Boudicaa, although it would make for an interesting story. No plans for the others either. You'll see Uhtred's children soon!

Q

Hi Bernard, Just a quick note to tell you how much I admire your thriller books-all the boating stories. Naturally I'm a fan of Sharpe, but it was your first person novels that really grabbed me. I wondered whether you found writing in first person harder? I'm a full time artist. I sell my art all around the world, and whenever I can I play a Bernard Cornwell talking book in the studio to get me through the endless hours of photorealistic painting. In fact, you and Wilbur Smith have been the inspiration to attempt my own novel. So thanks, mate. (Tony from Australia)

Submitted September 11, 2007

A

It's swings and roundabouts. You do lose something by writing in the first person - not just the suspense of whether the main character will survive (which he or she usually does even in third person narratives), but also the alternative points of view that can increase suspense - i.e. you can watch an ambush being laid, then watch your hero walking into it. On the other hand there's an immediacy to the first person which can increase excitement and pace. I don't think one is any better than the other - and though most of my books are third person I enjoy doing the first.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Your unique attachments to the US, UK and Canada may allow you to answer a question unrelated to your books, but I have always enjoyed your glimpses into the military mind and the cultures mentioned above. Why is the US so furious with Canada? The United States were three years late fighting Germany in both world wars and both German governments posed a much greater threat to the world than Saddam Hussein. Canada loses soldiers constantly in Afghanistan, yet took the UN side as to intervention in Iraq. We joined the UN in Korea, the middle east and Cyprus. Keith Urban kicked out Canadian ticket holders at a US concert because we wouldn't send troops to attack a country to destroy weapons of mass destruction which were never found, yet we were praised for taking hundred of American citizens into our homes when planes were diverted to Canadian airfields on Sept. 11th. We chose to go into Afghanistan as a result of terrorism, but this joint mission is forgotten in the media and the minds of most Americans. Do you mind a question that has nothing to do with your excellent books? I hope your bulletin board is an appropriate place to ask "WHY"? Paul Higgins

Submitted September 6, 2007

A

I don't mind the question, but not sure I have an answer . . . and I'm not convinced that the US is furious with Canada. I think the present US administration is probably furious with Canada, but it's a mistake to confuse the administration with the country. I suspect the present administration is furious with everyone! With hindsight it is plain that the occupation of Iraq was a huge mistake, but not one that the architects of the invasion will admit. Instead they blame everyone else for their failure. I'm puzzled by the general ignorance of the war in Afghanistan (which was totally justified by 9/11), and is, surely, the key place to be confronting the evil of Islamic fundamentalism. Canadian troops are fighting hard there, and get no credit (nor does anyone else). The reason it's ignored, of course, is that Iraq overshadows everything, and American pride (such a dangerous thing) is at stake there. My advice is to wait for the next administration and hope that it takes a much more realistic view (part of which is that in order to defeat your enemies it really does not help to alienate your friends!).

Q

Greetings! My husband introduced me to your writing about 6 months ago, and WOW - thank you for giving me so many wonderful stories to play with! My husband, Kevin, recently came a cross a web forum where people are arguing the about the "claim" that the mid-evil church taught that the earth was flat. Both myself and my husband were rather shocked, as we too thought that people used to think the earth was flat. Now... what is the real story? Some folks on this web form are claiming that the church did indeed know, and teach, that the earth was round. And, that the "lie" about the church teaching it was flat was a ruse to help defend Darwinism. (Using the argument of "The church believed a false claim once, they will do it again"). Anyway, my question to you - do you know the answer? If you do, do you have a resource that talks about this? There are so many history books out there... I thought you might be able to help narrow our search for the truth. (and it gave me a really good reason to write to you!)Kandra and Kevin

Submitted September 6, 2007

A

I'm honestly not an expert on this . . . . but I am persuaded by the many arguments which demonstrate that mediaeval man (at least those who thought about it) was entirely convinced the earth was round . . . it seems to be a modern belief that they thought otherwise. I'm fairly certain that the earth's shape was never a part of the church's dogma . . . what was, of course, was the firm belief that the sun circled the earth, rather than the other way round. Reading about the church's persecution of Galileo is to discover that nothing changes . . . witness the witless battle being waged by some Christians against the theory of evolution . . . intelligent design? If they looked in a mirror they could find proof of that theory's falsity, but alas, they won't

Q

Hello I have been reading your Sharpe novels for years, I own all the books and also the four Starbuck novels, as I am a keen black powder era man. In the Starbuck novels a rebel Sgt by the name of Howes appears how did you decide the said name. I am interested because it appears from an uncles research I have an ancestor who served in the 2nd Mass Vols which of course was a Union regt. How about getting back to the Starbuck novels. Keep writing, your books are top notch. Regards

Steven Howes

Submitted September 6, 2007

A

Not guilty! Most of my names come from the phone book, or what serves as my mind, or from the index of a book (but not one relevant to the book I'm writing). I have an idea I knew someone called Howes long ago, and maybe it was that?

Q

Hello, I understand that there is to be another Sharpe film in the offing. Apparently it's again set in India and loosely based upon 'Triumph'. Have you heard anything with regard to dates etc.? Regards, Peter Green, Telford

Submitted September 6, 2007

A

Sorry, I don't know anything (I'm often the last to know!). But as soon as I hear anything, I'll post it here.

Q

Hi! I read the Arthur Books and was wondering where to find more information on the Treasures of Britain. All I can find are some basic descriptions on Wikipedia, I want to know where they originated from, stories associated with them, etc. Thanks! Ilana Strauss

Submitted September 6, 2007

A

I made most of it up. It's fiction! The treasures of Britain are part of the mysterious, misty past from the legends of the dark ages, and you'll find nothing definitive (not even agreement of what they were). You can read some of the (sadly, many) encyclopaedias of Arthurian Britain, but I don't think you'll be any the wiser!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell. As I have written before, reading Your books is a treat, that I enjoy again and again. Especially for a Scandinavian, as we are so very often praised throughout Your production. Indeed I list Winterking as the best book I have ever read. One thing is strange, however: How come that most Christians are described so utterly negative? I mean, You always praise courage and generosity, and these are Christian virtues - together with making fun of the high and mighty. To say that all Christians are like Bishop Samsun or Father Hacca, is to say that all Germans are like Hitler, don`t You think? Best of wishes, Preben Christensen

Dear Mr. Cornwell Thanks a lot for your recent answer to my question. But I dare to ask yet 1 more. I have read almost all all your books. the Saxon series and all of the Sharpe books. But what strikes me the most is the horror and terror that is brought forth by the "holy"church. The most evil characters in your books are churchmen. Not the Northmen or Aelle, or The dragoon leader Lupe (well he comes very close) for example. No churchmen and though there are exceptions like Father Beocca or Pirlig. Most seem to by men driven by extreme greed or ambition. This I find very interesting. But where does this come from? I find this in all your books. Last question why did they stop translating your books into Dutch? With the highest regards Frank Kramer

Submitted September 6, 2007

A

the mediaeval church, far far more than today's church, was a place of opportunity for ambitious men - the church could promise wealth, status and enormous privilege for some men, so it's hardly a surprise that it was also a place of venality, nepotism, dishonesty, even downright murder. In fact it was the rottenness of the church, as much as anything, which prompted the reformers. There were a few good men (and women), but any look at the church shows an institution devoted mainly to its own enrichment.

Dutch translation? I didn't know they had stopped. I'll see what I can find out.

Q

Good day Sir, I am French Canadian and I am reading your books in French to fully understand and appreciate every word that you are writing. I just finished The Pale Horsemen in French ''Le Quatrième Chevalier, which is to me your best book. However, I am not able to draw a French copy of the Lord of the North, therefore I was wondering if you would know if it has been published in French? Also, I was wondering if you would know where I could get a list of your books published in French. I also read the Arthur series, which is phenomenal, and I share your opinion about the fact that Arthur has ever been King. However, I heard some theories about the fact that he would have been a Roman Officer, but this is not proven. Thank you for your time. Roch

Submitted September 6, 2007

A

Lords of the North will be available in French translation in January 2008.

The Sharpe books are now being published in French translation by Movie Planet. L'Aigle de Sharpe (Sharpe's Eagle) was published at the beginning of June.

Le trésor de Sharpe (Sharpe's Gold) will be published around November. You can find a listing of all my books published in French at Amazon.fr. Thanks for your message!