Your Questions

Hi, I'd just like to say that your one of my favorite authors and the Sharpe series keeps the fire of patriotism burning inside me. I don't suppose you could let me know if you're working on a Sharpe title as we speak? It's seems like eternity since the last one. Warmest regards Adrian (Peterborough, UK)

Mr. Cornwell, I came across Sharpe while in Cornwall with the US Navy. It was love at first read! (Of course, Wednesday ITV helped - or confused...) Paging through the archives, it seems that Rolica may be up in the air. OH NO, please, please, please follow through. Sharpe is more than just the battles for me. (Girls need character development, not just sweat and blood.) In Prey, Sharpe and Harper brushed by each other. There are hints that Hagman and Cooper were with him longer (Rifles and Waterloo).... I NEED MORE. What was Sharpe's intro to Green jackets like? How did he get from one battalion to the other? What is it that the characters remember from Rolica that they keep so quiet even amongst themselves? See - there is plenty to write about. I look forward to the next instalments. Now that I have found out Patrick Lassan continues on, I'll have to start in on Starbuck. Last question - any chance Killick (Siege) will show up anywhere? Kristin Rickard

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I have just finished reading Gallows Thief and an excellent read it is too!. A small question for you, in the book you mention a couple of times that a Rifle officer helps out Rider when Rider is reflecting on his past missions/battles. Would the Rifle officer be Sharpe?, or just any old Rifle officer?. Many thanks for the excellent read. Regards, Gary Barrowcliffe

I enjoyed Gallows Thief. Will you be writing other stories or make this a series in the near future? Thanks, Butch

Good Afternoon Mr Cornwell I have just finished reading the Sharpe and Grail quest series, both I equally enjoy, but must confess Dick Sharpe is a mean SOB. I was wondering if you had ever thought of a Naval character or series to write about? I know there as author's like C.S Forresters and Patrick O'brians books about but they aren't writing anymore. I am sure there would be a following for series like that. Many Thanks Marcus

Greetings Mr. Cornwell: I have read all the Sharpe's and have the DVD collection, will we ever be able to view-buy the Sharpes War 4 part collection here in the US? I hope you will consider having them Closed Captioned for those of us, Hearing Impaired. I am almost finished with "Winter King" and look forward to the other two of the Triolgy. Regards, Don Wishnow Philadelphia Pa.

Mr. Cornwell, I have never written to an author before although I am an avid reader. I read your Arthur books a few years ago and loved them! Recently found the Sharpe T.V. series at the library and picked it up for my four teenaged sons. I am hooked! Just finished the first three India books and have been searching the net trying to find out what order these books are in! Thank you so much for posting it. I'm off to the Library to pick up Trafalgar now but I just wanted to thank you for this series. I do have one question however. Why do the women in the books so far (and his second wife in the show) betray him? Not to be overly romantic but what woman doesn't want a man with a true heroes heart whatever his faults. I must admit that my boys are shocked that I find him a wonderfully heroic figure when he often seems morally bankrupt. We have had some great discussions about what shapes the people we become and what responsibily we have in aiming beyond our upbringing. (My children are adopted and all have come from horribly abusive situations.) This series has also spurred an interest in them for European history and we have begun a timeline and maps to trace this time period. Again Thank You! Deborah

I've been seeing references in the "Your Questions" section regarding an article in the Daily Telegraph about your upbringing. For the benefit of your U.S. fans who would like to know more about you, do you know how we could access a copy of this article? Thanks so much! Beverly Fontaine

Bernard For the life of me I can not remember where I read it...but is there an autobiography or biography of you that is soon to be or as been published? As I have all your books and I can clearly relate to your religious philosophy (as expressed in the Grail Books). I do not want to miss this one&my concerned is based on the fact that sometimes in the USA we do not have access to your books until well after the fact. Furthermore as a professor of history at a small college in Mississippi , USA; I require my students to read any of the three 'Arthur Books' and write a paper on the book explaining several facets of literature and history. Thanks John Switzer

Dear Bernard, First thanks for all your wonderful books, I am literally counting down the days until 'The Pale Horseman' is released. Now a question or two (sorry!). Which battle fought during the Napoleonic wars was the most significant/crucial for the British and allies (especially out of Trafalgar and Waterloo)? Which one did you like writing about? Thanks for your time and keep up the great work!! Thanks, Ben.

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I recently saw the movie The Four Feathers, and during the opening credits it states that the white feather was a symbol of cowardice in the British Army. Would you happen to know when/why this was started? Was this also true during Sharpe's era? Thanks, and I also want to state that I enjoy ALL of your books, especially the Arthur trilogy.
Axel

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Although you so often hear it, I will add my voice to those who have proclaimed you among their favorite authors. I have read most of your books, first becoming aquainted with Sharpe on the occasion of a birthday gift from my librarian mother many years ago. An association she inferred, I am sure, from my fondness for Hornblower in my childhood. What really sets you apart, however, is your fine attention to detail - historical, cultural, visual - and how it so completely engulfs readers in your character's trials and triumphs among historical events. Events often heard and wondered about in dry abstraction, but here lived with a wonderful wet immediacy. You are often compared to O'Brien or Forester. I won't say one is better than another. I will say that you are the only author which I will not hesitate to purchase off the shelf of the local bookseller; knowing full well that I am in for a grand time, and will probably learn something in the bargain. That said, two questions: Are there differences between the U.K. and American editions of your books - the one I know of is the title to "The Archer's Tale" - but have there been other differences in text? and Are you read much by the French? Do the poor French have any authors willing to cast them as anything other than the hapless recipients of Britain's might? Many thanks for many hours of brilliant storytelling. --Andrew Cox Stavros