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I just finished reading The Last Kingdom. Excellent! I have enjoyed the Arthur series and the Grail Quest series. Can't wait for The Pale Horseman. My Thurston ancestors, arriving from England in 1637, descend from the Danes and likely the invasions you describe. You might enjoy this hymn, which was composed and sung during a reunion at the National Gathering of Thurstons at Newburyport, Mass., June 24 - 25, 1885.

Thurston Hymn In Scandia's wilds an ancient vine Grew round the sanguined stones of Thor. A thousand years, O God, are thine, And we thy culturing hand adore. That vine Old England's Isle o'erspread, Enwreathed her church and camp and throne. Above the branches fair is read, O Lord of hosts, thy name alone. The fruitful stem Columbia bears By Plymouth's pilgrim hills and tides; The Golden Gate its clusters shares; Where'er they grow God's light abides. The grape is crushed, the wine flows forth In patriot blood, in mission zeal, And yields afar, to sons of earth, The cup of life with Christ's own seal. Nor yet are thy best wonders told, O Fount of endless joy and love, Celestial bliss thy words unfold, The vine, transplanted, blooms above. Kindest regards, John O. Thurston

I am a big fan of your Sharpe books from Estonia. I really enjoy reading them and I sincerely hope that you will continue writing them. I have read almost all of the books in the Sharpe series, they are magnificent, just superb, I can say without the slightest doubt that you are my favourite writer. Karl

Bernard, Have enjoyed all your sailing books and those by Sal Llewelly but pls we need some more! I understand your pleasure and success with the Sharpe books but we want sailing books!! Pls try and find some time! I keep all the old sailing books and re read them every few years- sad I know. have just re read Sal's old books this summer. Adrian

G'day to you Bernard, I first discovered you via the Sharpe tv series, playing on pay tv here in aus, couldn't get enough of them & I think Sean kBean is a great actor, so of course I had to watch the credits to found out who the author was. From there a trip to the local library, who have a good collection of your works, so was delighted to find not only the kSharpe stories but others as well. Have just finished the Arthur series, brilliant, and have now started the Grail series. Now here's the funny part, Harlequin wasn't available but Vagabond was, so I took Vagabond, plus a couple of Sharpes, thinking I'll pop back in a couple of days to see if Harlequin was available. Also spotted a book called "the Archer's Tale" which I took as well thinking it was a stand alone novel, and this was the book which I started to read. 2 days later back at the library Harlequin's available, get it home read the fly cover thinks to meself this looks familiar well you know the rest. Then I found your webpage and discovered that there are a lot of other readers out there like me who really appreciate your writing style so sir please keep up the good work and thank you very much for the hours of entertainment your books have given me, and my next project is combing the flea markets for 1st edition Sharpe novels. David Stead

Dear Mr Cornwell. I am from Australia and really like the Sharpe books-congratulations.I am working my way through in order and have just finished Sharpes Rifles. Please keep Sharpe(and Harper)alive. We have just had some of the Sharpe TV series on Fox pay TV-pretty good but the books are way better. thanks Bob

I am rereading the Sharpe´s series and note the time gap between the Battle of Trafalgar and Prey (Copenhagen). You probably know that most of the British ships (the Pucelle?) and a number of prizes retired to be repaired in Gibraltar where a few sailors were buried. The Rock was being sieged and Sharpe could have been involved. Please also note that the spelling in Rifles is AFRANCESADO. Best wishes.
Tito Serra

Hello Bernard, Just wanted to say I really enjoyed 'The Last Kingdom' and am looking foward to 'The Pale Horseman'. I hope there's a third addition to the story of Uhtred, so keep up the good work. I love historical fiction, particularly when the history is tied up with my homeland, England. You always deliver the best of this kind of fiction, so well done. I always wonder at an authors ability to create engaging character and storyline, I imagine it takes painstaking research and a truckful of talent. Best regards, Samuel Oakes

Dear Mr. Cornwell, It wouldn't be inaccurate to say that on some days the highlight of my day is to open up a book about Mr Sharpe and read about his exploits across Iberia and beyond. Oh yes, what a bleak life I must live if reading a novel is the highlight but that is quite the contrary. It is just that the writing is so wonderful, the stories so unbelievably awesome and the characters so alarmingly lovable that even if that particular day was really good, reading a Sharpe book would still be a highlight of the day. I don't believe I am just saying that to give you a warm feeling inside - I am an honest and true fan of your Sharpe books. I can imagine that the demographic "American teens" isn't really your top demographic but that is the one I fall into which amazes me because Sharpe was having adventures long before I was born. I want to thank you sincerely for all the work and amazing effort you have put into writing these great books. They have really opened me up into the world of the early 19th century and gave me quite a few laughs, scares and chills. I'm really interested in his life after Sharpe's devil. I recall going to a site that said he lived all the way up to 1860, but I don't know if this was just a fansite or the actualy material. It would be very cool to see the famous Sharpe travel with colonial Britons across the world. I am very much looking forward to the next installment. Yours, Zach

Hello I have been reading your books for many years now and being a true English man, I have to say that your books show a side of the englishman that we can still be proud of. That of guts and the spirit of adventure if only we could send back time as easily as you do in your books. Keep up the good work and keep writing. Garry Harris

Dear Mr Cornwell, Just a short note to say thank you for "The Last Kingdom". I never thought that another of your characters could be as lovable as the wonderful Derfel Cadarn in "The Warlord Chronicles" but Uhtred comes close! Can hardly wait for "The Pale Horseman" keep up the good work you are without doubt the master of historical fiction. Mike Prince Proud to be a child of Wessex!