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Thank you for making my "quiet time" complete escapism. I am not a great book reader but you seem to have hit the mark with your choice of stories, especially with those connected to Arthur and Alfred (Although Redcoat took some beating!). I am looking forward to reading about Uhtred's further adventures and Agincourt has always interested me (I like a winning underdog!) so please keep up the good work and keep the love interest going to, us lads don't like to admit it but we all wanted to be the chivalrous hero and get the girl! Finishing one of your books always sends me on a quest to read up on the known historical facts of the time. Thanks again and have a very happy new year !!
Michael Pegram

Mr. Cornwell, I have read all your books - Sharpe / Saxons /Archer / Starbuck ... and the stand alone historical novels. I even order your newest as the are published in England on Amazon U.K. since the United States publishers are so far behind. I thought I was out - but just obtained your short stories of Shape's Chrostmas and Sharpe's Skirmish. They were great. Went too fast. Now I have renewed desire for more Sharpe and friends. I hope he will make another appearance soon - any chance? Thanks for all your stories. Rob Rose

I'm from australia and have read most of your books. I have a copy of Sword Song and am looking forward to reading it because Lords of the North was simply the best book I have ever read and am curious as to how you follow it! Adrian

I thought I'd read just about everything you'd published until I recently found 'Fallen Angels'. Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it.Always wondered why there was never a stand alone book on Patrick Harper. It wouldn't be like Watson without Holmes. He makes the Sharpe series for me.May you live to write many more works. Thanks. Arwel Reed.

Just to say how much I'm enjoying the tales of Uhtred - it's really got my imagination working overtime, infact I can't walk down a country lane without seeing a Viking around the corner!!

Brian Armstrong

Dear Bernard, Just a short email of appreciation and thanks for writing some wonderfully entertaining books over the years. I have never got around to reading the Sharpe series but have devoured every other historical book that you have written - mostly in hardback too! Your writing style is, I believe, concise, with historically accurate (as far as is humanly possible)facts and excellent story lines. In short you Sir, are my favourite author - the only criticism that I could level at you and this takes some consideration, is the over excessive "in a heartbeat", but hey who gives a toss! Thanks for all the wonderful books looking forwards to yet more Saxon books Thanks and best regards from deepest, coldest, Essex John Lodge

Just wanted to say that reading the Sharpe novels has given me a much clearer idea of life in the army today. A reporter was saying how he had spent a few days with the British army in Afghanistan and how they slept under canopies - not tents (and I thought of Sharpe disparaging the tents ) and how after early departures they came marching back to drink hot tea - shades of Sharpe I thought, even though it is 200 years later. You mentioned in one of your forewords that you regretted doing away with Obadiah - I have to say I am glad he went, he was so horrid that I despaired Sharpe ever would get the better of him, even though I re-read his involvement just to be sure it ended with Obadiah's death! I am looking forward to a new Sharpe story - whenever! Best wishes for 2008 and thanks again for creating Sharpe and Harper. Miss Barbara Francis

Mr. Cornwell, just a small note to thank you for re-introducing me to the written word. My father bought "The Archer's Tale" for me, and I have rarely been without a Cornwell novel within arm's length ever since. I have read all the Grail Quest, Redcoat, the first two Saxon Stories (currently waiting for "Lords of the North" to come out in paperback), and just began the last of the Starbuck Chronicles. I am most impressed with your ability to jump between the geographical differences of the individual series, to say nothing of the temporal differences, all while throwing in historical facts without being awkwardly obvious. I have read other historical novels (not mentioning authors) and I've found their ease and fluidity of historical facts, in comparison, is similar to riding a bicycle with square wheels. Thank you again for the hours of enjoyment!! Armand

Hi Bernard, On 6th December 2007, Terry asked a question about the Kings Shilling in Glass bottomed tankards and you replied it seems a bit far fetched. This is an old story and may seem like one of those enduring myths, but it is true. Under the days of sail, life was hard and it is no wonder the navy had trouble recruiting ships crews so laws were passed to allow press ganging to recruit for the next sailing. Press Gangs would frequent pubs near the docks and look for strong young men, ply them with free drink and when drunk they were easy prey to sign up for the next sailing. Often the Kings Shilling was dropped into a drink and once drunk, the shilling was deemed to have been accepted and the unfortunate drinker was now one of the ships crew. When ships were seen approaching the harbour, locals would stay away from pubs and other public places until the ships left so as to avoid the press gangs. Trade in the pubs was reduced and so landlords introduce glass bottomed pewter tankards so the drinker could check for the shilling before drinking. Many of todays naval terms such as "dog watch" "pigs" for officers date back to this time as the press gangs were forced to move further inland as ships approaching harbour were seen well in advance and the locals apparently disappeared for the duration. The press gangs were forced to venture further inland and recruited a lot of farm labourers who had nothing in common with the way of the seas and used much of their own knowledge and terminology as a kind of slang which has become a tradition of naval terminology. So yes, the story is in fact true. A link to an ex naval sailors site is: http://www.the-old-sea-dog.net/uk9.html which verifies the story. Hope that is of interest and every good wish for 2008. Andrew Moore

You do not need to answer, I know that you are busy and it is the holidays. I was fortunate enough to find "Sharpe's Christmas" and read it Christmas Day. I had told you that my wife and I have traveled thru Spain and Portugal and enjoyed going to the places that Sharpe marched to in your books. We have also spent time in Normandy so enjoyed Sharpe's life there. And yes, I believed that he stayed there the rest of his life. It is a beautiful part of France. For now, thanks for your books and your characters. Best regards. Happy Holidays. Bill Allen