Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell: I've been reading your books for years, and always enjoy them. Often I learn something from your exhaustive research, and often you bring up interesting questions. Early in your book "Heretic", you refer to the stone missiles fired from early cannon. This is the first I've heard of such an idea. If they were stone missiles shaped into a ball, surely it would be easier to cast cannon balls, since they could cast the cannon? You later mention the "bolts" used against the castle,and describe how the barrel of the cannon is packed with other material, to ensure the force of the powder is not wasted. Interesting idea ... would they not have to do the same thing with stone missiles, and if so, we are back to the shaping of the missiles again. Care to elaborate? Glad you didn't fall into the same trap that Michael Crichton did, in his book "Timeline" - where he first mentions a "breech loading cannon (in the Middle Ages!) being dragged across a field whereupon it was "loaded from the muzzle". Michael didn't see fit to comment on this unusual situation. I hope you'll reincarnate Thomas of Hookton yet again ... Mike Goldstein

A

They did do the same thing with stone missiles - and I think the reason they used stone is that casting techniques were still very uncertain - and hugely expensive - whereas stone is cheap! The first cast cannon (as against hoop bound barrels) were cast by bellfounders, and it's not for a long time that iron is used. Those early cannon were very primitive and took an age to load (mainly because of the need to pack them with loam).


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I LOVE your books and I thank you for the hours of fun I have had while reading them. I just have one question. The Starbuck Chronicles. As far as I know you have only written four of them. I was just wondering if you intened to further the series. Thanks again. Rick Hindmarsh

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Back in Jan '04 you answerd a question by saying that Starbuck will reach Appomattox. But now I'm reading some nasty rumors on other websites that you're planning a fifth- and final- Starbuck book in which Nate will die. I emplore you Sir, please don't kill off Nate. For my money, he is your best character- even better than Sharpe, whom I enjoy immensely- with Uhtred running in second. The Starbuck Chronicles are the books that first introduced me to your writings. Those four books are some of the best you've ever done. So much of Nate's story remains yet to be told. Getting Nate to Appomattox would cover such ground that the resulting books would be spectacular! I don't know if the rumor regarding Nate's death are true or not - I hope they are not! I patienly wait for more of Nate's story and hope that he will indeed reach Appomattox. Tom

A

Don't believe other websites! None of that's from me!


Q

I've recently started to read your Sharpe series, and they are excellent! As a result of reading them, I'd like to read some non-fiction books on the military during the time in which the Sharpe books are set, and also on some of the important military figures of that time (mainly Wellington, Nelson and Napoleon). Could you recommend any books on that subject which are particularly good? Danny Langley

A

Click on the 'Suggestions for Further Reading' link found on any of the Sharpe book pages of this website and it will take you to a list of recommendations. Hope you find something you like!


Q

I have heard from someone who attended one of your lectures that you mentioned that a new Sharpe Series was being thought about with the India books being filmed. However when I emailed the makers they did not seem to know a lot about it and I wondered if you could enlighten me. I would also like to congratulate you on yet another fantastic Sharpe book, Sharpe's Escape, which I thought is the best Sharpe book you have written since Sharpe's Trafalagar. I would also like to see some new Starbuck books and wondered if there were any plans to start writing these again. Please visit my website too at THERICHARDSHARPEFANSITE.COM where I have the biggest collection of Sharpe fans on the internet. Thanks. Paul

A

There was some talk about a new Sharpe film, but nothing's come of it so I don't believe it's going to happen now.


Q

I've almost finished reading Sharpe's Escape and, as usual, can't wait to start the next book. Except this time there isn't one as I've read the complete series. I know it gets more difficult with each story as there's only so much Sharpe can actually do in the Peninsular but is there any chance we'll see him again? Please? Andrew Johns

A

You will!


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am sure you have been asked before, but, are you related to Patricia Cornwell? Both of you are exceptionally good at establishing an atmosphere. I have particularly enjoyed the Sharpe series and look forward to future Sharpe novels. Regards, Bill McCarthy

A

No relation - at least, not as far as I know.


Q

Good Day Mr Cornwell. I have been reading Sharpe now for about five years since the age of twelve, and have enjoyed every book. I think that the way you create such an image of 18th/19th century life is very effective and that's what helps bring your books to life. What I really wanted to know was how you manage to gather this information. I know that in Sharpe's Tiger you actually visited India to research the city of Seringaptam, which muct have been a truely amazing experience. Is this true for all the Battlefields in the Sharpe books or do you use other methods? I am now very interested in everything Sharpe related, but am also reading some of your other books, such as the Starbuck Chronicles. Thank you for Sharpe, and I hope there will be more excellent books to come. regards William Hughes.

A

I try to visit all the places I write about - I find it hugely useful.


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell I am a son of Portuguese immigrants, and as a Portuguese person I am VERY proud to be portuguese and wouldn't wanna be anything else. I think Portugal has been left in the dark when it comes to history, and this book reminds people that Portugal does exist and its oldest allies were the English. The only thing that dissapointed me was that the book "Sharpe's Escape" took place in the Coimbra area, and my family is from Tras-os-Montes, more specifically Boticas, or Chaves, where the French tried to invade and the Spanish so many times in the past. I was wondering if you planned on writing a book about the French invasion of Chaves, to complete the story of Napoleon's attempt to take over Portugal? If not then I'm still thankful of you writing this book. And plus I was wondering, what do English people think of the Portuguese today?? obrigado e tchau!! Jose Pereira

A

I'm not sure that Sharpe will get (back) to Chaves, but we'll see. And what do the English think of the Portuguese? Affection and admiration. As you say - oldest allies - and feelings haven't changed much over the years.


Q

Hello Bernard, I like Your books very much- I've read most of them, I guess. I live and work in Southern Greenland - a few miles from Brathalid where the Viking Eric the Red took land well over a 1000 years ago - he and his son, Leif Ericson or Leif the Lucky, colonized the South and the Midwest of Greenland - and even went to the Americas - their story is well-known and very exciting - why don't you use it in your next novel ? Sinc. Yours, Lars Deleuran, Librarian Qaqortoq Greenland www.fredericiahuguenotter.dk

A

Why not? Well mainly because the next few novels are all planned, so I fear Leif Ericson must wait. But you're right - it is a terrific tale and someone ought to write it.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,
I'm a huge fan of your work and I have read most of your books.My favourite was the Warlord Trilogy, I was wondering if anyone has asked to make them into films? Personally I think the guy who made the Lord of the Rings would be good because he did not change much of Tolkien's books. Alexander Lees

A

No plans for films of the Warlord Chronicles at the moment. Thanks for your message!