Your Questions

Hi Bernard, Thanks for your prompt reply to my last enquiries. I have yet to read Sharpe's Siege so do not know what his reasons for not fighting the Americans were-can you enlighten me? In the film version with good old Sean Bean it is not mentioned, although in the screen version of Sharpe's Battle he does make the comment about the Americans never having anything good to say about the British. My reasons for wanting to see Sharpe involved in the war of 1812 are purely selfish, I have an avid interest in that conflict and also the American Rev war, especially from the British perspective, as far too much guff has been written that is biased towards the Americans. Simple fact is in a straight fight the redcoats were nigh on unbeatable and won virtually every battle, but of course in the case of the revolution lost the war-ho hum! As for you not placing Sharpe in America.... well he's your creation and you are perfectly at liberty to send him where you like, and anyway I guess he would have been too busy pasting the Frenchies.... the timeframe would have meant he would have had little time to scuttle across the atlantic and sort them out as well, more's the pity! Please don't think I am anti-American...far from it, it's just I get a bit hacked off reading a lot of poorly researched material that neglects the fact that the Rev war was essentially a civil war, and often portrays the Brits as redcoated nazis- the film Patriot readily springs to mind-what a load of tosh! Right rant over.

Incidentally, have you read the memoirs of John Peebles? This is a fine insight of the trials and tribulations of fighting in America and illustrates how many of the Brits caught up in this were fine honourable men. Finally...Tarleton! One of my favourite historical characters. In my humble opinion a man who could do with a much needed re-evaluation. Much maligned, and oh soo far from being a saint, but nonetheless not the demonised man of American folklore. In my study I felt compelled to de-bunk the myths and I would love to write a novel about him. Why do you think no-one has really done this before? Too stigmatised maybe? What are your thoughts? Kindest regards for your time. Neil Pearce

Ok I'm sure you get constant praise but I just have to say Thank You for giving us Richard Sharpe. My friend's think I'm daft as I gave up my obsession with proud brooding Mr Darcy, for a tortured soul of a soldier in Sharpe. A quick question though Obidaih Hakeswill how come he dies at the end of Sharpe's Fortress and then appears again in Sharpe's Company? I don't mind but he's such an awful B******D that gives me the creeps. Ally

Dear Bernard, Like so many of your readers, I can't wait to get the next Saxon book, Sword Song. I have become interested in reading the Anglo Saxon Chronicles and other sources, etc. that pertain to the reign of Alfred and all. There is so much wonderful material to make use of in fiction. You've said the books would go to the reign of Athelstan so I'm thinking you will also include Edward the Elder. Will you show the conflict between Edward and his inept cousin Ethelwold and which side will Uhtred be on. Also will Aethlflaed go to Mercia in the next book and will Uhtred accompany her there.
Ann Madonna

Mr. Cornwell, Like many others who've written, I'm a huge fan. I know, broken record, but still it needs to be said. While I discovered you through Sharpe, who I like very much, the Warlord trilogy and Saxon stories are especially amazing. I'm in your debt for writing them. I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts on the relationship between a writer, his manuscript, and audiobooks. Personally, I adore how all your books are performed aloud. The accents and dialogue are superb, and the pace of play is reduced compared to how I read, so I feel I get a rich absorption of what you write. For years I've "read" your works ( and re-read... and re-read...) via audiobook. I drive a lot, but even so I adore to sit and just listen to your stories. Do you spend any time listening to audio of your works? Are you involved in selecting a performer? And lastly, is there any progress on remastering the Warlord Trilogy into Audio CD? I love the books, I adore how they are performed, and as the tapes at local libraries are eroding, it would be terrific to have CD's to own. I'm assuming it would be a somewhat straightforward process? I really hope this can happen sometime. Sorry if this note is too sycophantic, but I'm very thankful for your efforts. Nick

Dear Bernard, I noticed how the Flashman books have been mentioned several times in this section, and you have professed your love for them. So I was moved to buy 'Flashman on the March', having never read any before, to satisfy my curiosity as to what on earth is so wonderful about them. And it's terrific reading! I am halfway through, after only two days. I haven't laughed aloud at a book in such a long time. But may I ask a stupid question? (Forgive me, I'm new to Flashy.) Is it a real memoir, or is it completely George McDonald Fraser's fiction? He has me convinced by his introduction and footnotes, etc, that it's real. Surely not? (Sorry. If it is indeed fiction, I must sound like a right simpleton.) Thank you, Paul, Ireland.

Hi Mr Cornwell I have been a fan for many years and I have got lost in your books everytime I pick a new one up(Thanks) I have a great interest in Roman and Greek history and loved the books by Conn Iggulden and also the books by Valerio Massimo Manfredi ,just wondering if you have ever considered doing a series based around those times ?. A loyal Fan Mark T

Hello Mr. Cornwell, My family has enjoyed reading your Saxon series very much, and are looking forward to the next book. We appreciate your providing a map and list of place-names. If it isnt too much trouble, wed also appreciate a glossary of a few words that are not common in American English, so we dont have to wait to get home to our unabridged dictionary! I am interested in asking about your language usage in a couple of places in Lords of the North. You have two similar usages of past tense that seem odd to me. Perhaps they are an early English subjunctive, I dont know, Im not a language historian. Or perhaps they are a British style, and just unfamiliar to me. They appear on pages 61 and 98. On 61, in the last paragraph, the line appears I said nothing more, but just listened as Eadred proposed that we formed an army and marched it across the hills to capture Eoferwic. I would normally expect form and march. On 98, towards the end of the second full paragraph, In the end I suggested that we drew two of Saint Oswalds three teeth. I would normally expect draw. On page 193, 5th line, appears King Æthelstan, he said, Guthrum as was, negotiates with Alfred. I dont understand the as was. Is that an early English way of saying formerly known as Guthrum? For your next printing, you may ask the publisher to change man to men on page 135 (first paragraph, second to last sentence), to become He was one of the strongest men I ever knew. One more question. You refer to Danes and Norsemen. Are you meaning Norwegian Vikings with the latter? Wonderful stories about Saxons and Vikings. Tusind tak! Alan Frantz

Dear Mr Cornwell, I'm 17 and am currently in the middle of AS levels (hoping my maths paper will miraculously ask me a question on the American Civil war). Anyway I just wanted to ask at what age did you become interested in writing your own novels, and was it a long, drawn out frustrating period of your life when you started, or did you find it actually came quite naturally when pen reached paper? I only ask because I often wonder what it would be like to start a novel, and what the ordeal would entail. thanks, Sam (ps I'm enjoying the Starbuck chronicles, I think the characters are great, with particular admiration for Medlicott and Moxey). Sam Brentnall

I just finished The Bloody Ground. I noticed that this most recent book in the series was published quite a while ago and it left a lot up in the air. I found some rather old interviews that hint that you intended to continue this series. Is anything in the works? It seems you've started and closed out several other series since writing The Bloody Ground, some of which I've read. Joe Domoto

Dear Mr Cornwell, I must say that you are my favourite author but my second favourite was the late David Gemmell. His books were brilliantly written and had a hint of history thrown in with the fantasy. I just learnt that he died in July this year. I was wondering if you'd read his works or maybe even met the man. I know he and his works will be missed. Lee Brake