Your Questions

Hi Mr. Bernard, I writing from Brazil, and I have just finish the Arthurs chronicles. Loved them by the way! But I have two questions 1) Why all the spitting? Do they really spit that much? 2) What exactly is the sign they did with their right hand to frighten away the evil? Thanks for your attention! Tatiana Fochi Ayrosa.

Of course I agree that Sharpe's daughter Antonia was far better off being brought up by relatives than being dragged behind her father's battles, but at some point in her life she is surely going to seek answers to the many questions she must have about her father? And Sharpe, in peace and in Normandy must surely wonder about her? I realise that these quests often lead at best to nothing or simply frustration and sadly sometimes to a lot worse but I feel there is a loose end to tie up here, not that I envy you trying to do it; the subject of abandoned children (not willfully, as is so often the case) is fraught with so many regrets, recriminations, guilt and sadness. Joelle

Dear Mr. Cornwell I was just curious, which countries comprise your largest readership base? Would it be a fair assumption to say that it would be the British Commonwealth? Regards, Jason Chagnon. P.S. Thank you so much for taking the time from what must be an incredibly busy scheduele to acknowledge my recent purchase of Sharpe's Eagle.

Hi, I'm 14 years old and live in Kent, I have read every single one of your books and I hope to be writer as well some day thanks to you. I was wondering whether you are planning on writing any more Sharpe books set somewhere other than the Peninsular or if you are writing any more of the Starbuck Chronicles, thanks a lot, bye! Alex Paton

To the poster who asked about a book set during the siege of Malta I can highly recommend The Sword and the Scimitar by David Ball a truly excellent book worth a read.

To Bernard, you mentioned in a previous post about the possibility of getting Sharpe to Barrossa - will he be with the attack that nabs the Eagle or with Brownes attack up the hill??? And have you ever thought of puttting Sharpe with Murrays eastern campaign at Castalla and Tarragona against Suchet??? Also have you ever considered writing about Edward 1st campaigns like the Evesham campaign/conquest of Wales or against William Wallace at Falkirk (The statue of him in Scotland is Mel Gibson and I do not make that up). And a final question in Sharpes Devil Cochrane is a man portrayed as looking for a Napoleon type figure. The question is did he ever meet Simon Bolivar???? Geraint

Dear Mr Cornwell I love all your books - the Arthurian trilogy are the finest historical fiction I have ever read and so convincing as to appear factual. I have a question: as a literary character, what do you think of Flashman? I ask, because if your heroes / central characters have a fault (in my humble opinion) it is that they are a little too moral in their motivation and behaviour - even when being bad they are good. I have always wanted to talk to GMF and find out what he really thought of Flashman - my own view is that he is literatures greatest hero, but as the world's best writer I would value your considered opinion. Cheers, and please keep writing - you could do a great Robin Hood! Cheers Jerry

Dear Sir, I really enjoy re-reading your books and I remember your mentioning the Hornblower Series. What do you think of the Flashman Series by author G. M. Fraser? Sincerely yours. NS.

Dear sir, Thoroughly enjoyed all of the Sharpe book in the series. I have two short questions so here goes: 1. when will you next be appearing on bbc radio 4? I really do like radio programs, especailly ones about historical fiction and that seems to be you specialty, maybe a program about the Napoleonic wars and you can be introduced and say about Sharpe etc etc. Also In Sharpe's kFortress (I think) you mention a fortificationon top of a huge hill, how tall is this hill? In the book the description of this hill is amazing. Is it that big or did the long march make the soldiers confused? do you know the height in feet? I have the honour to be Your Obidient servant, John Hofman P.S. Look forward to more exciting historical fiction.

Dear sir, I do not know if you grow weary from praises and questions, but I am compelled to write to you with both. I've read The Last Kingdom and loved it and hunger for the next. I've read all the Sharpe novels (including the short stories), the Grail Quest books, the Arthur Trilogy, Stonehenge, Gallows Thief, and have just begun Redcoat and can honestly say these are some of the best books I have read. Sir, you possess a wonderful talent and I thank you for sharing it with me. Now the Questions. Will Thomas ever go adventuring again? Will there be any books centered around the Indian Mutiny, Boer War, Opium War, or the Norman Conquest? I know about the Roman, Saxon, and Norman invasions, but not the Danish. Were there any other invasions (U.S. GI's not withstanding) of Britian? Will the Children of Sharpe get there own book(s)? And finally do you think it possible that Mr. Sandman while on a "cigar run" to Spain might travel through a certain French village and meet a certain former Green Jacket officer, who may be the same one who saved his life in Portugal, and perhaps accompany Rider to Spain for what can only be one hell of an adventure? Once again thank you so very much for all your wonderful books and I eagerly await the next. Sincerly, Scott G. Brooks

Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to let you know that your books are among the best I've ever read. The Warlord Chronicles are without a doubt my favorite books of all time. I was just curious if you've ever considered writing a prequel to those books. Something about Uther's relationship with Merlin, his battles with Aelle, and so on. Thanks again for your writing and I hope to see more works soon. Scott Schreiner

I have read your books set in the American civil war, found them enjoyable. I read Harlequin, enjoyed whilst at the same time learning things I had missed in my history lessons. Then I stumbled on the Sharpe series! Whilst I describe my addiction to Sharpe novels to my friends, "as an unsuspected addiction to Boys Own type books" I can't put them down and have to ration myself! Not only entertaining but brilliantly informative. For instance I never fully ubderstood the strategy of the British infantry 'square' as an effective ploy against cavalry. Whilst in training as a St John paramedic years ago, a Dr talked of the introduction by the french in the Napoleonic wars of the 'ambulance'. In Sharpe's Enemy you introduce it to remove the casualties. Again I had never considered the impact of killing the horses, or the massed french regiments until reading 'Sharpe's Waterloo'. All this and I specialised in the Peninsula War at Uni! Brilliant stuff, definitely formula, but I'm starting them all again. One thing, I thought you killed Hakeswell off in Sharpe's Fortress but he turns upa again before lurking off into the spanish hills after , was it Badajoz? Again many thanks and you can take as long as you like to answer or even not at all if you're busy (I hope with more material for me to gobble up) cheersJjeremy