Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell. I imagine you have tons of email from you fans so I will keep this short. I have only read 2 of your books so far. The Archer's Tale and Vagabond. Soon I will get to Heretic. My question deals with a paperback version of the books I just saw in a book store. On them were real actors in a scene. I was amazed. Where did this come from? Was there ever a movie made? Since they are relatively new I don't think they were mainstream, but maybe made-for-TV? Thanks again, Mr. Cornwell and I look forward to the King Arthur series as well. Jason Kolodziej

I'm pretty upset that The Last Kingdom won't be in the US until January. I always like to put a Cornwell book on my Christmas list and enjoy reading it over the holidays. Any reason why this one didn't come out in October as it did in Britain? Bob Masone

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I must ashamedly confess that, until this past week, I had never read any of your work. I am a lover of historical novels, mainly of the American Revolution and Civil War, and I had never read anything of the time period in your Grail Quest series. Now I am hooked! I bought and read all 3 books this last week and I must say I am disappointed at what I've been missing. I will start "A Crowning Mercy" tomorrow! I also bought some Sharpe novel to take on my cruise next week. But to get to the point I wanted to ask you if you would mind recommending other works of fiction about the quest for the Holy Grail. Thank You very much for your time and thank you for writing such great books! Sincerely Keith Woods Ohio, The USA

Hi Some of us at a Napoleonic discussion group have been discussing army discipline. When someone mentioned flogging I brought up the situation in Sharpe's Tiger where Sharpe was supposed to get 2000 lashes and knew that there was only a slim chance of survival. A few of the people there, who haven't read the books (I keep hinting that they should but no luck yet) were wondering if you'd based this aspect of Sharpe's story on real-life examples? I'm quite happy to accept Sharpe's version of events but sadly not everyone is... Marie.

Gidday Mr. Cornwell. I'm a big fan of your Sharpe Books, and can say they are the most I have ever enjoyed reading a novel. I was wondering, in Sharpe's Regiment, when the 2nd battalion from Foulness RSM Harper was teaching the men to sing "the Drummer Boy" I was wondering where I could find the lyrics for this song? Thank you much for your time. Brad

Just finished reading The Last Kingdom, once again you've provided me with an excellent book, but once again I have to drool while I wait for the next one. When is it due? Stuart Kennedy

Hello Mr Cornwell. I have written to you once or twice before, but a long time ago now! Since then I have enjoyed many adventures with Sharpe and have recently finished reading your latest gem "The Last Kingdom". I have to say you had me hooked from page one! I have a couple questions if you don't mind? This book has left me with one burning desire... to have my own hand crafted sword! I have shopped around on the net but they all seem to be mass produced. I want my own personal blade just like Uhtred! Do you know of any blacksmith's in England that offer such a service? And also, a slightly unrelated question, I wondered if you have ever been to a battle reenactment of any kind before? (I'd like to see a shield wall!) If so did it help in your endeavours of writing battle scenes? I look forward to your response and as ever to your next book. Many thanks and kind regards. Richard Akers

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just recently acquired "Fallen Angels" and heard it is a part of a series, is that true? If so, which other books are in the series? (I've been searching, but have been unsucessful.) Do any of the other novels feature Lady Campion and Gitan? I really enjoyed this book, I mean, I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed this book. It was fabulous. Thank you for writing it. And, thank you for taking the time to read my questions and answer them, I really appreciate it. Do you have any plans on extending the book into a series (if you haven't already done so)? I understand that you are likely very busy with other commitments at present, however, I hope the story continues because I thought it was wonderful and I enjoyed it very much. There is only one other book I have found that I've liked as much as yours, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, have you read it? I really enjoy historical fiction, obviously with elements of history, but without too much intense fighting. I also enjoyed the way in which your charicters interacted with one another, they were very believable and intensely human. Please know that my praise is sincere, you did a wonderful job. I also read that you and your wife woked collaboratively on The Fallen Angels, is this true? If it is, please give her my regards - all I can say is, I hope you're having a wonderful day! Thanks again! -Ashley

Did you ever acknowlege in any book the daughter that Sharpe had...or was this just for television? Mary

Greetings and salutations from the land down under, I'm glad to see that in Sharpe's Regiment our little country of Australia got a mention, even if Major Sharpe did not get posted here. Somehow I don't think our 216 year old history of English colonisation would have been turbulent or interesting enough for Richard and Sergeant Harper, so it's a blessing he wasn't sent to this particular colony. My question is this - I have 17 of the Sharpe's series now, excepting Havoc and Escape. In addition to being an exceptionally good read they also look quite good all lined up on my bookcase, which I take pride in. Unfortunately they all have the paperback covers by David Scutt, and I cannot seem to locate the last two that I am missing in this particular style. Will I have to break up the visual continuity and uniformity of my collection to complete the set, or are Havoc and Escape available in the covers with the David Scutt illustrations? With warmest regards, James Musgrave Australia