Your Questions

Sir, The Scholars Bookshelf, a mail order bookstore, advertises "Sharpes Charge" "In the fall of 1810 Richard Sharpe finds himself in the thick of the battle of Bussaco, the sack of Coimbra, and on the lines of Torres Vedras in a climactic battle. 2003:320 pages. (HarperCollins)" Now, Sharpe has charged aplenty in your books, but not (so far) in your titles. I can find no trace of this title at Amazon or on your web site. What gives? In regards to your titles, while they are eye catching and as harsh as that machete on steroids you have Sharpe lub around on his sword belt, I often think they could be improved. As a history teacher and retired Marine (Master Sergeant, 1973-95) I occasionally fantasize about some titles for Sharpe books which would truly reflect the grim realities of war: "Sharpe Hurrys Up and Waits" "Sharpe Stands in Line" and one which I think has real possibilities, "Sharpes Murphy - Sharpe in the Campaign Where Nothing Went Right" Feel free to use them, I promise not to sue. Sincerely, Shawn Scanlon

Thank you for your books, your stories and your style that combines a romantic sense of history with the harsh reality of war in whatever period you are in. I am just learning about using the net for writing research. Specifically right now I'm trying to find the lyrics to the songs that were of an Irish rebel nature on the way to Waterloo. I'm sure I read that somewhere in Holmes's work. So, the question is: do you know of any websites that you may use for period details of 1815 Ireland... or of the British army. many thanks. mark

Dear Bernard let me first start by saying I hope you had a nice christmas and I wish you a very happy new year. Second in Sharpes Escape will the interesting Colonel Trant be making an apperance? And at Bussaco which French column will Sharpe be fighting or will it be both? As for Starbuck when you get back to him will he be with Barksdale in the street fightinng in Fredricksburg itself? And will he be with Longstreet and Lee at Maryheights or with Jackson and Meade's almost breakthrough? P.S This is just a request from me nothing more and you probably get thousands of these every day but please please do not kill Starbuck at Gettsyburg. He should be there until the end at Appomatox besides him missing the 40 days between Grant and Lee would be like keeping Sharpe from Waterloo it would be a crime in JMO. Geraint

Hi Mr Cornwell I have been a huge fan of your books for many years, they even prompted me to drive all the way to the Royal Armouries at Leeds just to see Wellington's sword. I love the British army's role in the whole Napoleonic era, however another period of history that has always been of great interest is the battle at Rourkes drift. Do you have any plans to release a book concerning this? Maybe in a bizare quirk of fate, Sharpe's son could have enlisted and be fighting there? Greg Sewell

Dear Mr Cornwell, will you write any books on the later Hundred Years war i.e the battle of Patay or Castillion? Will you ever write a book on Joan of Arc or King Henry V? Alex Verrall

Dear Mr.Cornwell, I have recently finished the Grail Quest series and the Sharpe series and have just finished the Winter King, but I don't know what ynes means. Could you please explain??? Liam

Dear Mr Cornwell, I've been a big fan of your books for many years now and I have enjoyed the sense of realism in them. I would like to ask however, how you are able to describe the military life in various ages in such detail. Do you have a military past? Matt

what happened to Sharpe's child by Morello and Harper's wife and child and please can we have a happy ending where he goes back to Normandy? Graham Whitt

Do you know whether "Sharpe's War" will be (or has been) shown on The History Channel in the U.S.? It sounds like a wonderful series. Oh, and I'd like to put in a request for another Starbuck book. Thanks for all of the enjoyment you've given to me. Bob Masone

HERETIC!!WOW, WHAT A SERIES. WHAT A GREAT ENDING TO AN AWESOME STORY. I HAD NEVER HEARD THAT THE GRAIL CAUGHT CHRIST BLOOD FROM HIS SIDE....INTERESTING. THOMAS DID THE RIGHT THING. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW THE WORLD WOULD FLOCK TO NOAH'S ARK IF IT WAS EVER FOUND. PEOPLE GO NUTS OVER A WINDOW FILM THAT APPEARS TO LOOK LIKE MARY OR JESUS.....KEEP THE "BIBLE" THROW AWAY THE RELICS. I RESPECT THE CATHOLIC RELIGION AS BEST AS I CAN AND I KNOW YOU WERE NOT MAKING FUN OF THEM, BUT THE WAY THEY CONTROL THEIR FOLLOWERS BACK THEN IS A CRIME. I AM SO HAPPY I WAS BORN IN THIS (OOPS..LAST) CENTURY. THE LONG BOW.....MAN O MAN. I JUST ENJOYED "THE LAST SAMURAI" DID THE JAPANESE HAVE LONG BOWS TOO? THANKS AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO ENJOY YOUR STORIES. CONTINUED SUCCESS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. JERRY ROPER