Your Questions

Q

BC: I thoroughly enjoy the SHARPE series and this website answers my question since I have begun "re-reading" the novels as I drive by using BOOKS on TAPE and I want to listen to them in a Historical sequence... thanks for the thoughtful index. Also, I am curious. Tom Clancy wrote about the modern US military in his novels, but he lived in Maryland and found resources and personnae in abundance out there. WHERE is the source of your incredible and accurate data? Thanks again! Regards, Brian J. Mulcrone Wheeling, IL

Dear Mr.Cornwell. As a long time reader Of yours,(I started with your early thrillers when I grew up in Cardiff-Wales -now living in Ft.Myers FL) I should like to thank you for all the enjoyment you have given me over the years. I realize that a lot of research goes into your books (especially the historical novels). And was wondering if you did all this yourself. I know that Dick Francis and his wife wrote and researched his books between them. I wondered if you and Susannah had a similar arrangement. Please keep up the good work, I enjoy your books tremendously. P.S. are you coming down to Ft.Myers at any time? Peter Court

Submitted April 23, 2005

A

No plans for a visit to Ft. Myers right now, but maybe someday? I do my own research using books and documents, as well as visits to the places in my books.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Congratulations on all your fantastic novels, I have read them all. I have just finished Sharpe's Regiment for the second time. In the book it discusses the way of recuitment in the British army and tells you of conscription in the French, do you know the way in which the other allied armies recuited soldiers? And was it different when countries were under French control? Keep writing. I look forward to reading the Pale Horseman. regards, Simon

Submitted April 23, 2005

A

I don't know, sorry - but I have an idea that the French were the first (and only at this time) conscript army, so I'm fairly sure the rest were all 'volunteer' - which covers a host of sins - some men were offered army service as an alternative to judicial punishment. I'm re-reading Adam Zamoyski's brilliant 1812 and his picture of the Russian army is an eye-opener.

Q

At the end of the seige of Gawilghur Hakeswill gets thrown into a snakepit. In "Sharpe's Company he reappears, with no explanation how he survived the snakes. Is there an explanation in one of your later books? Apart from the fact that he cannot die!! I love your books, I am only sorry I did not discover them sooner. John Niessen

Submitted April 23, 2005

A

If you were a snake, would you bite him?

Q

I've recently watched the new Arthur movie (not by choice). And it was horrible. WHEN will you screenwrite your Arthur trilogy and have Hollywood make it into a movie? I so enjoyed reading them. In fact, I read them all three times in the span of two months. (before I returned them to library, and with a big late fee, I might add) PLEASE!! Turn it into a movie.... Sincerely, Perise Sasa

Submitted April 23, 2005

A

Alas, I am not a screewriter so it is up to someone else to do it. I am glad to know you enjoyed the books.

Q

Well, I can't believe you would write a wonderful book like Redcoat and then cast Sam and Caroline away without a second look. It raises an interesting question. What leads to the decision to not follow a certain story line? Was Redcoat not well received when first published? Or, did you not feel the characters were what you wanted to pursue at the time? Is there any chance you would pick up the thread of the story for another book? Even if you don't pick up the same characters, I think showing more of the American revolution from the British side would be a great idea! Nathanjay Green

Submitted April 23, 2005

A

I think Redcoat was always meant to be a 'one-off', and I never meant to carry it on - it was written at the request of a Hollywood producer who wanted a tale of the revolution seen from the British standpoint, but we're still waiting for the movie!

Q

Dear Bernard, I've just finished Sharpe's Tiger and it's a wonderful story ! I read it with passion. I'm French and I have a question about an English word you use often in this book : "glacis" : what does it mean exactly ? I asked to my English colleague who even doesn't know it ! Thank you Cathy

Submitted April 23, 2005

A

Glacis? It's a French word! From the old French glacier, meaning to slip or slide. Originally it meant a place made slippery - a slope, usually - and it came to mean the long low sloping bank placed in front of a fortress wall. It was no longer slippery, but what it did was offer an inclined surface off which the besieger's cannon balls would ricochet - or else bury themselves in the bank. It was very easy to climb, but once at the top, you were faced with a wide ditch and the walls proper. The great Vauban was an expert! Nowadays the front armour of battle-tanks is sometimes called a glacis - it slopes and is meant to deflect shots up and over the turret.

Q

Mr Cornwell. I've been an avid reader since picking up Sharpe's Sword in the early eighties (paperback only unfortunately!) and have since purchased everything you have written that I can find. So, apologies for asking what may be a very personal question, but please could you let me know where has Sharpe 21 gone - due Spring 2005? Yours - very frustrated.

Submitted April 23, 2005

A

I am writing the next Sharpe now - due Spring 2006.

Q

Dear Mr. Bernard I think I've read about 90% of your books and enjoyed them all. Thank you. I know Starbuck was written some time ago, but I just finished the forth book recently, and I fear so much time has gone by that you might have forgotten Billy Blythe? Surely Nate will have to exact his revenge on him. I won't die happy until I know you've taken care of Billy. I thought perhaps you were reluctant to kill Billy off too soon, as I have read your comments which lead me to believe that you regretted ending Obidiah Hakeswell's career so early. P.S. I enjoyed you putting Sharpe's son Patrick Lassan in the Starbuck books. You said that his father WAS British and his mother is French. I guess by 1862 Sharpe is dead, but please don't tell us how it happens. I want him to enjoy France after the wars live long.
Rob Goodhand

Submitted April 15, 2005

A

Billy Blythe is not forgotten...

Q

Hi Bernard I would just like to say you are an exellent author. I have read the first 4 Sharpe books, and after finishing Trafalgar I was just wondering why was there 2 different UK editions of Sharpe's Prey published so soon after each other. Is there a problem with one of them? Are they different in any way? Thanks for the great books; and keep the coming! Sam

Submitted April 15, 2005

A

No difference at all as far as I know.

Q

Hello again, I remember reading once that you had considered writing about Robin Hood. The character fascinates me and I would love to read your take on him - any chance? Regards, Lindsey

I'm from Brazil, and I loved your books that were published here (and others that I had bought at Amazon). I have a suggestion, and since it has nothing to do with lawyers, I hope you will at least consider it a bit: is it possible for you to, someday, write a story about Robin Hood, the same way you wrote one about (king) Arthur? I also like his tales a lot, and it would be a great pleasure to read them (re)written by you. Best regards, and sorry about any english mistakes. Gustavo

Submitted April 15, 2005

A

Maybe, one day, who knows? But it's not high on my list at the moment.