Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell I am a fan of the Sharpe books. But the TV series disappoint. I watched the first three episodes and they don't seem to fill-out your charactors or stories.. Curious what grade you would give the TV series, and whether someone like director Ridley Scott or actor/director Mel Gibson might do a better job telling Sharpe stories. Best DW

Mr. Cornwell, A few More Questions.. 1. What is your absolute favorite Hornblower story? 2. How did you come to the realization that the 4th Thomas of Hookton book wasn't working and that you should retire him? Is that about the same time you began delving into Alfred's history and switched to writing the Last Kingdom? Is it painful to abandon a story that you've put a lot of work into? 3. I've read a quote from you in an interview where you state "I've noticed there are no great films, plays, etc., about the [American] Revolution, but plenty about the Civil War -- the truth is that, once you examine the Revolution closely, you discover that a lot of it is myth, and so it's probably best left where it is -- in the realm of magnificent legend." That leaves me feeling a little forlorn because I am currently writing my first (hopefully not last) novel that is set during the Revolution. Can you share some of the hurdles in writing about this time period that you had to overcome while creating Redcoat? It would be much appreciated. Thanks Again For Your Time R. Kulb

Sir, Why are we neglected in your stories, is it because we are not as flamboyant as our celtic cousins, that's just testemony to our quiet profewssionalism, but we have either been fighting against, or later on the same side as the english since they came from the sea. We were at Minden as one of THE REGIMENTS, we held the redoubt at Yorktown when everyone else gave in, we burnt the whitehouse in 1812, held Rorkes drift, the list is basically endless when you take into account the accomplishemnts of all 4 welsh infantry regiments. I feel that there is much more scope, for us. Respectfully AR Jones. p.s. shame your new book isn't out untill Oct. my tour will almost be at an end then, and I've re read, the Arthur boks, Sharpes, Stonehenge, Last Kingdom, Starbuck and Redcoat, not to mention got the lads interested too!

Dear Bernard, Have just finished reading "The Last Kingdom" and as with your other books is a riveting read and obviously meticulously researched. However, and this is very cheeky of me, you have mis-spelt the place name of "Barnstaple" by calling it "Barnstable" - I live in North Devon (in the UK), on the coast about 10 miles north of Barnstaple and it is definitely spelt with a "P". Anyway, something that may interest you - the town I live in is called "Ilfracombe" (mentioned in the Doomsday book) and apparently the derivation of this Town's name is "Alfreds Combe" (or valley) ! Of course Alfred may have been a local peasant but then again, following your novel it may be a coincidence but it does fit in awfully well ! Ilfracombe itself is the largest Harbour on the North Devon Coast and the largest one between Padstow & Avonmouth. It was often used as a staging post for the Navy & in the "olden days" and was one of the ports from which the troops left for Ireland to quell the revolts there in the 1800's. But I digress, thanks for a great read and I look forward to the next book in the series. Best regards, Glenn Perry.

Do you have anymore pictures of some of the locations decribed in your novels that you can put on the website? Mike

I'm currently reading 'Stormchild' and can hardly bear to put it down it's so exciting. The desciptions of the Patagonia coast are wonderful - have you actually sailed in those waters? Jennifer Richardson

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I finally broke down and read the four Starbuck novels. Bravo! I will look forward to more of this series when you finally do get around to it. I have a request concerning Colonel Lassan, who I find a much more congenial fellow than his father. I would like him to have a more active role in the future. I think it is time he got a new assignment. Specifically, I would like you to send him to Mexico to serve in the French campaign to maintain the Emperor Maximillian on his throne. He should end up at the famous battle of Camerone, which you may know is the French Foreign Legion's equivalent of Rorke's Drift. It happened on April 30, 1863, when Starbuck would have been gearing up for the Chancelorsville campaign. Here 62 legionaires, two lieutenants and their captain held off the attacks of 2,000 Juaristas for 10 hours. Finally, the survivors led a suicidal charge and only two survived to be taken captive. Their Captain's wooden arm is today the Legion's most sacred relic, as is yearly honored at their reunions. If you don't want to make a whole novel of this, at least have Lassan take a couple of pages to describe his part in Camerone to Starbuck when the two meet later in the war. Please give this one some thought. And perhaps after Appomatox, Starbuck can accompany Lassan back to France and serve with him in the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War? Alan Kempner

Dear Bernard, In regards to statements of future Sharpe works. I was just wondering how many more books do you see Sharpe in and will some of the lose ends like Pumpherys murder of Astrid and payback for Murray ever be tied up. And have you ever thought of going back again and writing about Flanders/ Rolica and Vimero. And will ALbuera/El Bodon/Burgos and Orthez be in any future works. As for Sharpe and the war of 1812 well in Sharpes Triumph/Fortress that Frenchwoman (Forget her name) stole his Jewels and hightailed it to the USA. will Sharpe ever go and get them back. As for the promise apart from his vows to kill somone when did Sharpe ever make a promise he did not break??? btw can I reccomend both Eagles over the Alps by Christopher Duffy on Suvrov and with the exceptions of both Napoleon and Wellington argubly the greatest general of the Napoleonic/Revolutionary wars and John Saddlers Border Fury a book on the English/Scottish wars that lasted from the 1200's to the 1500's. Cannot wait for the next book in October regards Geraint

Are we going to follow any more adventures of Thomas of Hookton? Frank Casey

Sorry to bother you but can you tell me if you have any book signings coming up in the south of England? Thank you. Rachel