Bulletin Board

Thanks you so much for your quick response regarding the "pace." In my original question, I should have pointed out that the Ancient Roman pace was also a two-step pace. The Romans standardized it at 58 inches, the standard Roman 5 feet. As a former military man, myself, who marched many a mile at the standard military step (not pace)of 30 inches, I'm betting that the Baker Rifle was very accurate at more than 200 one-step paces (165 yards). Rifleman Thomas Plunkett of the 1st Battalion, 95th rifles was supposed to have made an extraordinary killing shot on General Colbert at between "200 paces and 800 yards." Since there's such an enormous difference between 165 yards and 800 yards--or even 330 yards (if you accept the two-step pace)and 800 yards, it would seem to me that there would be greater agreement on the distance, but, the latter distance seems to be the one most modern scholars agree upon. I just wish they could agree on just what constitutes a pace!!

Mark Dymkoski

Mr. Cornwell, Not since James Michner have I read works of historical fiction that enthralled me as much as yours. A fortunate chance provided me a copy of "The Last Kingdom" that I read in one sitting. I was moved to then obtain copies of "The Pale Horseman" and "Lords of the North". These too were read in a sitting, and I find myself wishing for more. I Thank you for your work. Highest Regards, Richard A. MacCrone

Hi Bernard, I just want to say that I enjoy reading your books very much. To be honest I personally started feeling that when the Grail Quest series came out that your form was waning, or thinking about retirement too much. However you have come out swinging with the Saxon series and completely blown me away Bernard. I just thought the Grail series lacked the punch that your other series had and you had me worried for a while. The Saxon series I enjoyed just as much as the famous Emperor series and thats not a small comparison. Keep up the good work and look forward to future readings.
Ghostbat

"Patrick O'Brian lumped Forester and me together with the sneer that our books were all story snd no lifestyle..." With a sneer? With all due respect to Mr. O'Brian's success, I've never been able to finish reading one of his books. The form I have enjoyed them in is the ABRIDGED audio versions (less "lifestyle?") which I listen to while mowing my lawn. By the way, I loaned some of my "Sharpe" volumes to a friend who is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret. He's enjoyed them hugely (I think because of how accurately you depict the 18th century ground-pounders' "lifestyle") and has several times muttered to me "The meek may inherit the earth, but only after the last soldier saves it for him." Cheers, David McKissack

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Thank you so much for your Saxon series. I very much enjoy the character of Lord Uhtred. And thanks for renewing my appreciation in my Danish ancestory. Keep up the good work! Erin

Dear Mr Cornwell, I hope this finds you and your wife Patricia well, or is she your sister? I can never remember... :o) Now my intention was to tell you of a brilliant and original idea I had about making the Arthur books in to a film or three, maybe involving Ridley Scott as he does the historical stuff very well. Having read through your web site I'm somewhat crestfallen! Not very original at all eh? So I'm not going to mention that, and it's an excellent point you make about you writing books and not making films - nuff said. So I thought I'd tell you that you're my favourite writer having enjoyed the Arthur, Grail Quests and Saxon (next one not til October!!) books. Have to admit I struggled with Stonehenge and didn't finish it, and not attempted any of the Shapre ones - not sure why, might be because of Sean Bean? I note the authorities haven't acted upon your suggestion of staging the Cricket World Cup in China (!) so thankfully it's in the Caribbean - will you be attending any of the matches? Shame we didn't have Derfel and Uhtred opening for us during The Ashes! Sharpe to swashbuckle Goweresque like at number 3... I've finshed waffling now. Regards, Paul Marlow.

Love your books! Just finished Lords of the North and can't wait for the next one....but I have to wait, urrgghhh!
Mary Kate Karam

Dear Mr Cornwell, I just want to thank you for your wonderful stories - it seems to me that you are a descendant of the Taliesin you described in the warlord chronicles :) I also greatky enjoyed the Grail Quest and the Saxon Stories - I read the latter last year during a summer trip in southern England. I will introduce your stories on burgen.de - its Germany's biggest castle portal with around 20.000 readers every month. I started this project some years ago out of passion and love to our cultural heritage, with an increasing emphasis on british castles & history. Thank you again for telling us epics. Kind regards, Veith Schörgenhummer

I'd finally read everything written by Reginald Hill, Andy McNab and Colin Dexter. I was looking for a new author. I bought Stonehenge whilst on a trip to this impressive market place / sundial. I live in Winchester so am hooked on the Saxon Stories. I've also read the Grail Quest books. Your style is exceptional. Descriptions bring the horrors of war to the minds eye, and dialogues sound real. Hopefully a Hollywood film producer will make films of the Grail Quest and the Saxon Stories as they are more suited than the Da Vinci Code, which I did enjoy. Thanks for the advice on writing. In the last two days I've finally produced something on my laptop that my wife thinks is readable. You've given me the confidence to believe in my inner voice. I will focus on the story and not on trying to produce a clasic text for myopic Oxbridge Professors to disucss in their Common room.

Mike Thompson

I just opened "The Eagle's Prophecy" by Simon Scarrow and saw your comment, "I really don't need this kind of competition," and I thought it was just about the best comment I've ever seen. (I particularly hate "A real page turner." Anyway, what a nice compliment to Mr. Scarrow, and just a great thing to say. Brenda Webb