Bulletin Board

Well Mr Cornwell, I almost don't know what to say! The first book I read of yours was Stonehenge, one of my most favoured places to reflect and relax. I loved it to say the least. I am now reading The Saxon Stories with almost ocd obsession! I find everything that you have written that I have read has touched me in a way that is very personal to me. Stonehenge has always mystified me and I go there a few times a year to take in its history and ambience, and I always delight in taking someone there that hasn't been. I have always lived in the south east (England of course!) but I have some nordic ancestors so Uhtred's loyalty to both sides is familiar and endearing to me. I also am fascinated by this particular period in English history. Although I am quite sure you are in fact not writing these books specifically for me, with all this in mind I just have to tell you...... I love your books!! I am in fact, I think, falling a bit in love with Uhtred! So, please keep up the good work, and thank you for giving me such a thrilling read. Your most obsessional fan, Natalie.

Mr Cornwell, I'd just like to let you know that the Sharpe novels have inspired me to write a historical novel myself. I have recently finished planning the plot and have started the first draft, although my story has a military background it is set in a different era. You are right about reading historic fiction leads one onto reading history books, as I have done and so has many of my friends. Although I find you're novels tend to stick very closely to the actual events and I find one learns a lot from reading a Bernard Cornwall novel. I have been writing for around five years and I love history - after reading your novels it seemed adding the two was the right thing to do. Thanks for inspiring me and thanks for helping to make history cool - never thought I would talk about Liam Gallagher and Lord Wellington in the same conversation. Look forward to your new Sharpe and Starbuck novels. All the best Yul Meredith.

Mr. Cornwell, Regarding maps - I did a quick search on the Bulletin Board Archives for maps, and saw a couple posts inquiring about maps (or the lack thereof) in some of your books. I'm reading the first of the Grail Quest series, and I'm actually astonished there aren't some maps, or even a single map, detailing France and the key regions and battles in the book. With all the movement of troops and characters, across multiple rivers, cities and towns, it gets extremely frustrating for the reader not to have some kind of reference. I just finished Lonesome Dove and that highly acclaimed novel was plagued by the same problem - simply amazing to me when the heart of the story deals with such a significant amount of travel. I think you mentioned how the publisher removes maps due to cost, but I think it's totally unacceptable - a map for historical novels isn't some small 'extra' or 'add-on' - without a map, it detracts from the reader's experience and I think negatively impacts the book's delivery. I guess I sound pretty frustrated; I find your books to be fantastic, other than this one seriously annoying issue. One potential solution (or workaround) that perhaps the publisher could accept: Provide an online map for each book - this way your readership can access a map off your web site, perhaps print it for reference. Sam Scharpf

Dear Mr Cornwell, You stated in answer to a question: "There were no gallantry awards in the British army at the time of the Napoleonic wars so no, Sharpe didn't get any medals." and this is, of course, entirely correct in terms of gallantry awards, however a medal was struck for the Waterloo Campaign. It was awarded to anyone who had taken part in the battles of Ligny, Quatre Bras, or Waterloo. Furthermore each soldier present at any of these battles was credited with two extra years' service, to count for "all purposes". Secondly, I notice you point people toward a number of good publications regarding the Peninsular Campaign and to the uniforms of the time. May I advert you to the seminal work by Martin Widrow and Gerry Embleton "Military Dress of the Peninsular War: 1808 - 1814". Yours aye, Deborah Evans

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Usually I avoid "Historical Fiction" because the characters are usually unbelievable and the plots historically incorrect.( "Braveheart" for instance - a dreadful movie.) But Uhtred and Derfel are so real, I can hear their voices when I read their words, and that is a mark ( for me) of a true character.I wouldn't like to annoy either one of them, but you could imagine having a great time with them in a pub! I like it that they are both old guys writing their memoirs, so to speak. I live in Washington State, near Seattle, but I grew up near Glasgow. My Dad's family are from Aberdeen, with my Mum's side all being Geordies from Newcastle, with a few Border relatives thrown in. ( she insists she's English, but her mother was a MacDougall, her granny was a McCall, and other branches were Turnbulls, so draw your own conclusions!) My families were Saxon, Danish and probably Picts, so the Saxon stories were of great interest to me. Being half Scottish and half English, I can really relate to Derfel and Uhtred, being torn in loyalties. For one thing, my accent was always messed up -part Glaswegian, part Geordie! Now, I have lived in the US for half my life, so once again, I am torn in loyalties! My "Wyrd", would Uhtred say? Anyway, after finishing The Pale Horseman, I was horrified to see that the Lords of the North wasn't coming to the US until next February, so I begged my sister, who is an editor for Harper Collins in London, to send me a copy. Which I then sat up all night reading. Now you really must get cracking and let us know what Uhtred will do next! Thank you so much for your wonderful books! I have a wild 19 year old,and she and my husband fight like , well, Saxons and Danes, and your books have really helped me escape the family goings-on for a while. I would rather be in the 3rd or 8th Century sometimes...So you see, your books serve many purposes. I shall have to read your "Sharpe" series now, although I'm not very interested in that time frame. I will try to catch the series on BBC America, Sean Bean being a very good reason for me to watch... Cheers, Fionna

Bernard, I've loved all your books. I'm a 23 year old Irish lad and I've been hooked since I was 14. I love the vividness of the characters. Your Warlord series got me interested in my celtic ancestors. I gave one of my Sharpe books to a friend of mine, he was a bit wary at first about reading a book about a redcoat officer. He's a republican but now he's hooked as well despite his politics. You probably hear this a hundred times a day but I think your brill. yours sincerley, Alan

Dear Bernard, I wanted to tell you that I thought your work was phenomenal. I know you must get so much fan mail I hope this E mail is not a bother. But I wanted to let you know that you are a fantastic and inspirational Author. I hope you know that you have a lot of fans that think you are the greatest. I look forward to your work. Your Truly, Janthima

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I teach history ancient and medieval worlds at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama. I was a graduate student working the registration desk when you spoke here at 'The Consortium on Revolutionary Europe' a few years ago. I deeply regret not seeking you out when I had the opportunity, but at the time I was not familiar with your work. Last year while perusing the history section at a local bookseller for inspiration, I came across The Archer's Tale and I recognized your name. I quickly become an ardent fan, devouring the rest of The Grail Quest, The Warlord Chronicles, and The Saxon series. I just completed The Gallows Thief after reading recommendations on your website. I agree with readers who would relish another Rider Sandman adventure! As you can see from the letter below, I also recommend your books to my students. Strong students will discuss them with me enthusiastically for hours. I also suggest them to students who are struggling, however. Recently, I received a letter from such a young man and I wanted to share it with you. We seem to make a successful team. Together I believe we can rescue the discipline of history from the clutches of lifeless writing and mundane teaching. My sincere thanks for your invaluable contribution to the craft. Barbara Wrenn Wright

'Dear Mrs. Wright, Before Spring Break, you suggested to my brother that he might enjoy Bernard Cornwell's books, and he loved them. He suggested that I read them, but I did not. However, one day on the way to visit my Great-Aunt, I was tired of reading an English book. I was behind in it, but I found it really boring. As a break, I put down the English book and took up An Archer's Tale. I could not put it down, it must have seemed that all I did was read that book. In two days time, I had finished that book and was starting on the next&. I finished the second book and started another one&. It was the first time I ever got in trouble for spending too much time reading. If it were not for these books, I would not be the reader I am now. This reading has helped to bring up all my grades by a tremendous amount. You are one of the best teachers I have ever had. I always thought history was a stupid and boring subject, but, thanks to you, I now think it is one that is extremely interesting. Thank you so much for all your hard work. See you next year!'

Hi Bernard, Many congratulations on the OBE - very much deserved. Just wanted you to know how much I enjoy Sharpe, Thomas, Derfel & Uhtred. Cannot wait to delve into Lords of the North which I received as a Fathers day present. Please, please write some more about Thomas - I know the Grail Quest story is complete, but I'm sure you have plenty of other ideas for him. Also please continue writing the Sharpe stories. Finally just to thank you for getting me interested in history - something that my school just turned me off. I now have a deep interest in historical fiction and have read several other authors, although none seem to match up to the characters you write about. David

Congrats on the OBE a well deserved award for once they award this to someone who actually deserves the award :D Joshua Selig