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I just finished the Grail series and loved it. The Arthur tales were wonderful and when I visit the sea I always look out for a red sailed ship. I had read your admonitions about giving you Ideas but what I will tell you is all public record. A man named Ledyard was the captain of marines on Captain Cook's last voyage. He is mentioned in Merriweather Lewis's diaries of his discussions with Jefferson. He attempted to cross Europe thru Russia to the Pacific coast where he was to sail to North America and travel overland for Jefferson and take a one way Lewis & Clark journey. He was stopped 3/4 of the way across Siberia by cossacks. His coach was sealed and He was driven non stop back to the Austrian border. He died of mysterious circumstances in Cairo a little while later. It is the only true story of adventure that I have discovered that intriques me. I discovered it because after finishing the Sharpe books I was interested in reading Cook's Diaries and The Log of the Corp of Discovery and obtained the above information from them. I am an old cook and unskilled at writing but to someone with your skills all the thousands of questions I have about this man's motives skill and times could be answered. Thanks for the entertainments. I read these historical series and share them with a friend. He contracted an aggressive form of colon cancer last fall and to get through the intense and dangerous course of chemo and radiation we read the Starbuck Chronicles. They brought us through a very tough time. Thank you for writing that chapter of my life. The good man triumphed and the cancer was beaten. As it should be. Peter Hale Dundee, Or.

Dear Mr Cornwell, Thankyou for your many hours of enjoyment I have had since the late eighties reading your Sharpe books, followed by the other series. As what seems to be the norm my favorite books were definently the Warlord chroniccles and especially the re definition of characters such as Lancelot, Sansum etc and how legend can change our perception of them!!! I do get the impression you're not a great fan of religion especially Christians and I do assure you we're not all bad!! That said once again I thank you very much for the enjoyment as it is because of you the Napoleonic era is up there with Ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece in terms of my favorite periods of history. I look forward with great pleasure to your New series. Regards, Alex ps One of your best characters was definantly Hagman and was gutted when he died at Waterloo!!! Alex Perry

Mr. Cornwell, I can tell you how much pleasure you have given me in your wonderful books. About once a year, I reread the Sharpe Series and I like very much the Thomas of Hookton series. I am an avid reader of historical fiction and nonfiction and I can't think of any greater pleasure than to go on-line and discover there is a new Sharpe novel. I wish I could preach about 1/4 as well as your write. Thanks also for this site which has given me a chance to finally thank you for your sharing of your talent with me and so many others. I suppose this sounds too gushing to be real, but somehow I get so wrapped up in the vivid characters you make real to me that I do always get a bit sad when I arrive once again at the last book in the series. Thanks for sharing your talent with so many of us. God bless you and your family, Bob Pinkston, CSP

Just a note -- no reply necessary -- I REALLY enjoy your books. You are one of the two (maybe three) authors I track and buy your books as soon as they're available. Sharpe hooked me and the other series are great as well. Maybe you could kick up the output to a book every two or three months (just kidding)... You have one fan out here, and I suspect a whole lot more, who appreciate your work well beyond the economics of a cover price. These are great books that will be enjoyed for a long time to come. Thank you! --Ken

Dear Mr. Cornwell, You are one of my very favorite authors! I first became addicted to your books through the Sharpe's series. I also really loved the King Arthur trilogy. I currently live in Japan, where your books are a little difficult to obtain, but I just began A Crowning Mercy. As always, I love your writing! I just wanted to know how much I appreciate you. Andy Harris Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Mr. Cornwell: I just now finished your Warlord Chronicles (as named by St. Martin's Press, I presume). Thank you. I've not the words to move you as you have moved me, other than perhaps to say that this old soul has spent his evenings of the last few weeks in wonder and contentment, even bliss. Thank you, sir, William Boyd Johnson County, Indiana, USA

I can't tell you how much my husband and I are enjoying the Sharpe novels and the movies. My husband is currently devouring the series (much as I did) now that we finally have them all. I laugh when I don't have a good ride on my horse because Sharpe was not a good rider either. There are many lessons to be learned from Sharpe, so thank you thank you thank you and more Sharpe please! Jill-Michelle Smith

It's funny. I spend 5 years on and off researching and writing a fictionalised account of Alfred the Great, seeing that no other author in the genre has yet done so, I read all your books faithfully (do you remember a question about your detachment to Thomas compared to your obvious affection for Derfal), and lo and behold, my favourite author has beaten me to it. You always said that if it takes over two years then an author I shall not be, but it still hurts. I wish you every success. I would just like to know, in all sincerity, where you got the idea from please. Regards, Joss Frimond

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just read your excellent book 'Sharpe's Havoc' and was treated with what I think is the best simile that I have ever come across. "A howitzer shell arched overhead, sounding like a ponderous barrel rolling swiftly over attic floorboards." Thanks for your wonderful stories, and I look forward to you new releases. Ed Wandall North Wales, PA

Please, please write another Starbuck book. I know you have given your reasons for not writing them but the last book was left at too much of a cliff hanger - the suspense is doin my nut - however I apreciate that writing a book takes time and you will have other things to do, but please do another P.S I think you're better than Tolkien. Matthew