Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am huge fan, and have read many of your books. I enjoy the historical fiction genre, including your Arthur books, Grail series, and the new Saxon novels. I am greatly anticipating your next novel. However, I am not a fan of the revolutionary period and so forth, your Sharpe novels. I imagine they are amazing, like your other books, but it isn't my taste, sad to say. What I am asking, is that could you please list some books similar to the ones I enjoy so much. I know you have some listed in your site, but its Summer, and I am running out of things to read. Possibly some sources that you have used for your books. Thanks, Eric

Submitted July 8, 2006

A

For sources I've used in researching my books, be sure to click on the 'Suggestions for Further Reading' links found on the book pages throughout this website. And for other suggestions, please take a look at the Reading Club page - it's full of wonderful recommendations. Happy reading!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I was wondering whether you'd read the Temeraire historical fantasy series by Naomi Novik about the British Aerial Corps - dragons and their riders in the early Napoleonic era? I've read all 3 of the existing books (1805-1807) and really enjoyed them. I think the Aerial Corps owes more to the army than the navy of the period but Novik's semi-fantasical word is fascinating. Napoleon has a dragon in book 3 and I can hardly wait to see whether Wellington gets one if the story proceeds to the Peninsular campaign. In response to a comment already posted on this group I have read the novel 'The Lady Soldier' by Jennifer Lindsay, actually written by 2 women by emailing chapters backwards and forwards. There are similarities with Sharpe, notably that the heroine is a rifleman before she gets commission (they are the best kind of soldiers!) and the fact that there's a villain called Loup but one of the two writers is a Sharpe fan so I think that's why. I really enjoyed the book though I did wish there was more the heroine's Peninsular adventures - half the book was about what happened when she and her husband returned to England. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes adventure novels with a strong thread of romance and vice versa but it's probably not for people interested purely in the historical side of things.
Marie

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

I've heard of them, but not read them - people tell me they enjoy them, so perhaps I'll get round to them one day.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Firstly; Congratulations with your OBE. Having read all the Sharpe books, I have been thinking that it would be fantastic if there was a series following a soldier on the other side; the French. Maybe there is (but then it is probably only in French), but would that not be an amazing challenge for your good self?? After all; Napoleon had so many different fronts to fight on, so there is so much scope for adventure. Just a thought... Yours sincerely Bo Sjoholm

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

It would be an amazing challenge for my good self, and one I'm not going to take on! I think there's a series out there already, isn't there? People kept accusing me, most unjustly, of being the author, which I'm not.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwall, My name is Philip, I have recently enjoyed your Saxon books, these are the first time I have read any of your novels, although I thouroughly enjoyed the television adaptation of the Sharpe novels when I was a youngster, and must say they are some of the most enjoyable books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I love reading and spend a lot of my free time doing so but have never before thought to send my praises to an Author. I would like to know how you know so much historical fact? I love history and although my career is within the Army I take a keen interest and would like to perhaps persue something to do with history as a carrer as I leave next year. Would you have any tips for how to get into this field? I hope you can help me, but even if I don't get a reply, please please keep writing your wonderful novels and I wait with baited breath for more of Uhtred. yours sincerely, Philip

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

I suppose the usual course is through university? Which is a bit daunting, and no compulsory - I just read history incessantly, and some sticks. You could write a novel about Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift? I'm not going to! Writing is a good way to be involved, and doesn't demand a university degree. There's archaeology? Battlefield guide? I'm floundering a bit here because it's been a long time since I needed to look for a proper job. I suppose the glum answer is that you become incredibly expert on some part of history and then discover that other people want to know your expertise . . which isn't very useful, but probably the best I can offer.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, Can you please tell me the specifics (model year, type, etc) of the sword that Sharpe uses? I would like to look at buying one for my collection. I believe it is a 1796 British Infantry sword, but am not sure. Thanks very much for your reply. Regards...Steve

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

A 1796 pattern Heavy Cavalry Sword - but the trooper's model, not the officers. Oddly the more common (then) trooper's model is harder to find than the posher officer's type - probably because after the war most of the common swords were cut down to make hay knives or pokers, but they do exist. Good luck!

Q

Hi Bernard, Thank you very much for your work. It has inspired me to start reading military history again. I was just wondering if you had ever considered writing a story featuring the Anglo Zulu war? I know that you always have several projects on the go and the chances of you starting a new series are slim but perhaps in the past the debacle of Imperial British forces at Isandlwana and the aftermath at Rorke's Drift may have interested you historically and that you may have read something by Ian Knight perhaps? Have you visited the battlefield and seen the cairns? It must be hard for an author to visit the scene and not be tempted to put pen to paper.Many thanks from a fan in Wales. Jon Horlor

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

I hate the Victorian period. Hate it. So the answer is almost certainly 'no'. Never say never, of course, but I can't imagine wanting to write about any of the various Victorian imperial adventures. Sorry!

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I live in the US and have always been an avid reader of American history, particularly the Civil War period. My oldest son Clay, who is a junior in college, shares my interest, but more as it relates to Greek and now English history. I have read Gates of Fire and many of Stephen Pressfield's other books including his most recent regarding the life and conquests of Alexander. I gave them to Clay and he enjoyed them as much as I did. Last year, I happened across The Last Kingdom at a partner's meeting with an investment firm that, I believe, does business with your publisher. I read it in two days and was intrigued by the excellent story of Alfred and his impact on English history. Clay also found your book to be most enjoyable, so much so that I had to order The Pale Horseman from the UK so it would arrive in time for his Christmas gift. We have both just finished The Lords of the North, also ordered from the UK, and are eagerly awaiting the next installment. My reason for writing you is two-fold. First, to tell you how much we enjoy your writing. Second, to ask for your direction regarding my interest in planning a trip to tour the major sites you reference regarding Alfred's struggles against the Danes. I would like to take Clay and our family on such a guided tour as a gift upon his graduation from college. If you could suggest a reputable and knowledgeable individual or firm to assist me in planning this undertaking, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for any assistance you can provide me in this matter. I look forward to your next book in the series. Very Truly Yours, Keith Garrison Austin, Texas

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

In truth I don't know of any such company. The big battlefield tour company in Britain is Holts (I'm sure they're on the web) and it's possible they do an Alfredian tour, but I can't remember seeing it in their catalogue and I suspect the answer is no. On the other hand you could probably put a fairly decent tour together on your own! There was a book published recently in the UK called Alfred the Great by Justin Pollard, which is a very efficient life of the king, and a read through that would provide most of the locations which are not, in all honesty, too many. The major place to visit is his capital, Winchester (good hotel - Lainston House). There's a fine museum there . . . likewise at Chippenham, from which he was ejected by the surprise Danish attack. Chippenhamm is near enough to Winchester - as is Edington - site of the Battle of Ethandun - nothing there except a marvellous view and some neolithic tumuli. Wantage, in Berkshire, is a bit farther east, and is his birthplace. His grave is lost under a car park. Athgelney, in Somerset, is much changed and it's hard to recommend a visit - there is a memorial in the middle of a (usually) damp field, but it's a place which needs a lot of imagination to recreate the marshland in which Alfred took refuge. On the other hand a tour of the major towns of Wessex will take you through marvellous scenery - Dorchester, Exeter, Wareham (good hotel - the Priory) and in Wareham there are the only remaining Saxon fortifications still extant. There's a fine Saxon church at Bradford on Avon. Just some suggestions - hope they help!

Q

Hi, I'm a 17 year old year 12 student and I just read your book 'Stonehenge' for an ancient history assignment I did on it. Your story was incredibly enjoyable and I used it as reference in my report. In my further research I found out more about the 3 tribes who are believed to have built it over a period of 1200 years. Do you believe this or do you stick by your own story? If so, why? Drew

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

I doubt that there were three tribes. There were three phases of construction, but I don't think that translates to three separate peoples. The truth is we know very little of the people who made Stonehenge. We know a lot about the construction thanks to archaeologists, and of course it's possible that it was made by different tribes (though why they would adopt the religious practices of the people they supplanted is a bit of a mystery). Like almost everything about Stonehenge you pays your money and takes your choice!

Q

Mr Cornwell, This is just to let you know that you're simply the best writer I've ever read ! I read the Grail Quest, Winter King and I'm finishing the Enemy of God. Excalibur and the first two of Sharpe's books are waiting for me in my library. Hope all of them come to movies ! I know that you're a British storyteller, but I dream sometime to read a story based in Brazil's History. Would be great ! Dreams ... Well, who knows ? :) Congratulations from Brazil ! Tony Rodrigues

Submitted July 7, 2006

A

And a very good book it would be . . . not sure I'm the person to tackle it, though, because it would demand a vast amount of knowledge I don't have - not just the history, but sociology and geography and flora and fauna and all that background 'stuff' which makes a novel believable.

Q

COngratulations on the OBE! A well-deserved recognition in my humble opinion! I noticed that a previous questioner had pointed out the small inconsistencies with the chronology of the Sharpe series, and I was wondering if you have ever rewritten bits of a book, and would you recommend it? Also, I was re-reading Sharpe's Revenge today, and I can't remember if any details of Jane's fate is given. I'm guessing she meets a sticky end, but are there any gory details? Yours sincerely, Andrew Sinclair PS I'm on the second chapter of Lords of the North, and it's superb!

Submitted July 6, 2006

A

I've never rewritten a book to smooth out the inevitable inconsistencies which come from the ridiculous decision to start a second series before the first and then try to dovetail them - there doesn't seem much point, really. Maybe one day, far in the future, we might re-issue all the books, smoothed out, polished, etc etc, but it isn't high on the priority list.

I don't know what happens to Jane, perhaps one day we'll find out? I suspect it will not be good...