Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell I'm a great fan of all your books and beg you never to cease writing but my question is about Pinkerton in the Starbuck series. I have never read a factual account of anything Pinkerton did, or any of his exploits. In your books you depict him as an affable fool, who in my mind seems unsuited to field work, however in other accounts of him from other novels or films (no actual factual sources) I have seen him depicted as anything from a stonecold killer field agent taking down the greatest bandits of the West to an extremely intelligent desk man of the greatest abilities providing the US with vital services and intelligence. I was wondering whether your account of him was based on true evidence and facts or if it was simply how it was easiest for you to depict him? If the latter is so, would you be kind enough to give me some details of what he was truly like. Thanks, sorry it's a bit longwinded.
Tom Brown

Dear Mr. Cornwell, while I understand this may be very difficult for you to answer as the two never fought a battle together where both were unimpaired and present throughout the battle but who do you think was the better general Napoleon or Wellington? thanks, Tom Brown

Dear Mr Cornwell, I stumbled across your series while researching a Scots/Irish ancestor who fought in India in the same period as Sharpe's Tiger. He was Robert Grenville Wallace, and he wrote a memoir of that time called 'Forty Years in the World'. I am frantic to read it, and also have trouble getting my hands on your very popular series, including SHarpe's Tiger. His first child was born in Seringapatam in 1811, and I long to read about the era. Question: Are you aware of my ancestor and use his book for background? Could you offer this Nova Scotian any advice to access historical information of the period? Local libraries shrug their shoulders, and British ones tell me to come over in person. Beverley Clarkson

Hello, Mr. Cornwell! I'm a great fan of your books, and I would like to make a question. I've read your second book of the Grail Quest, Vagabond, in the brazilian edition, and there was a detail that caught my eye: on the second part of the book, when Thomas and Robie arrive in La Roche-Derrien, there is a blind man playing the harp. I don't know if that was intentional, but I linked this fact with The Odessey, when Ulysses listens to a blind man playing the harp. Is there any conection, or is just a coincidence? I would be very happy if my question were answered. Thanks a lot! Allana

Dear Bernard, In further enquiry into future Sharpe novels could I ask whether you have ever thought of getting Sharpe to the Battle of the Nations at Lepzig and whether you have been tempted to get him to the battle's of Queestown and Detriot in Canada and have him meet Issac Brock it would be before Sharpe's Seige chronologically so he would not be breaking his promise!

Also on a slight tangent have you ever thought of writing about the epic Siege of Gibraltor during the American Revolution?

And finally, you have written about Authur and Alfred and their impact on England, will you ever write about Edward 1st and his wars like the Evesham campaign? Any way enjoy your holiday, Geraint

If Sharpe's Challenge is loosely based on the first novels (chronologically speaking), will Hakeswill be there, or will he remain dead? I can't recall meeting a character that I so thoroughly detested, but couldn't get enough of. I suspect that Pete Postlethwaite's interpretation of your character for the TV series had a lot to do with it.

Have you read any of Simon Scarrow's Roman Britain novels? When I first met his two main protagonists, Macro the Centurion and Cato his young Optio, I was convinced that it was your work under a nom de plume. I told him this, and he considered it praise indeed to be compared or mistaken for you. Thanks. Nick B

Dear Mr Cornwell I was given this Christmas a copy of your book Fallen Angels and from that moment was hooked. I also bought a copy of A Crowning mercy and haven't been able to put it down. While i am normally a Catherine Cookson fan, I was finding her books predictable. Your flow of writing and description indeed takes you back to when the events are taking place. I know these two said books have been written a while ago, but I would like to know whether you intend to write anymore along this theme, as I have now started to re- read the first book!!! Jayne Horton

I have just finished Sharpe's Enemy and thought it was brilliant. Have always enjoyed the TV shows but this was much better.
I am a trainee reporter at the Peterborough Evening Telegraph and was thinking about doing a story about a soldier from our area who served in the 95th Rifles. Can you suggest a good way of tracking down records of these people?
Once again, great book. Jack Grove

hi general, I've been watching war with the french and they qoute a source as being the diary of sgt kWilliam Lawrence of the 40th foot. Could this be the sgt Lawrence whose gravestone photograph I sent you some years ago? If it is, can you tell me where I can get a copy, having taken an interest in this lucky soldier whos life is mirrored by Dick Sharpe? I've already ordered the new book, and am looking forward to it. keep it up sir and God bless. Jim Fenwick

As in the end of all your Sharpe books, you write 'Sharpe will march again ', can you let me know how long it will be before he marches again, please? I thoroughly enjoy your work, and look forward to more .
Guy Watt