Your Questions

Q

I have read each of the Sharpe novels twice. Waterloo, three times. Geez, couldn't you have given Sharpe a higher permanent rank! Aubrey, Hornblower, and even Flashman, achieved higher rank. Paul Varbedian

Submitted November 8, 2004

A

I could have, but didn't. Damn.

Q

The life of Sharpe really begins for readers in India. Do you have in your mind details of Sharpe's early life and personal battles prior to him enlisting in the army? If so, have you ever considered writing about his youth? Iain Harvey

Submitted November 8, 2004

A

Do I have details in my mind? Yes. Will I ever write them? Probably not, but never say never!

Q

Dear Bernard, I have just finished 'The Last Kingdom' and am about to embark on 'Fallen Angels'. Thank you very much for these books. 'Last Kingdom' looks to be the start of a terrific new series with a successful narrator/hero in the mould of Derfel. I found it interesting the way the Uhtred changed sides, is this something that Nate Starbuck may do or is he too much of a 'Southron' now?!! One aspect of your books that I always enjoy are the maps which give a terrific support to the text itself. I have read on this sight that you plan to have the second novel in the series 'The Shadow Queen' (cool title!!) in October 2005. What do you have planned for March 2005? or am I being far too greedy!!?! Best wishes and thank you for your continued excellence, Berj.

Mr Cornwell, I say again you are a masterful weaver of historical fiction. I have just finished reading the Last Kingdom. Thank you for another wonderful book. I found myself living the the world you created for Uhtred, Ragnar, Ubba. I can think of only 2 other Authors whose writing leaves me wanting more, the way The Last Knigdom has done. This may be a cruel question, but when will the next book be published? Thom Walters

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have just finished reading The Last Kingdom. Congratualtions. Uhtred is easily the best character you have created since Derfel who, for whatever reason, really captured my imagination. When do you plan to have the follow-up books on Uhtred/Alfred published? Again well done. Bob Lester

I have just completed reading THE LAST KINGDOM can you tell me when the next book in the series will be published? do you intend using the characters from GALLOWS THIEF in another book? as I though you might. anyway congratulations on yet another unputdownable story!! G W Carr

Dear Bernard I have read everything you have ever written (that you have published). I haven't got any favourite because they are all just brilliant. I don't know how you do it but don't ever stop you are the best author ever. Anyway I have just finished kThe Last Kingdom, eagerly await the follow on. Please could you tell me the title and when it will be on the shelves? thankyou, Spencer Lee

Hello Bernard, I live in Sydney, Australia and just wanted to thank you for your work.... I have read all your previous books, and have loved Sharpie and Harper like brothers.... their adventures have kept me entertained for hours.... and I look forward to passing on the collection to my son.... I have just finished The Last Kingdom and immediately turned back to the first page and started again.... what a great yarn.... the characters were great and the discriptions of both the shield wall and the country side were outstanding..... I cannot wait for the next installment in the life of another fine rouge.... Any idea when we can expect to see the next book? and at this stage do you have any idea how many books may be in the series? Looking forward to your reply.... Kind regards Craig Behringer

Submitted November 8, 2004

A

Don't know about Nate Starbuck just yet, but a follow up to Gallows Thief is a possibility. I am glad to know you enjoyed The Last Kingdom. I am working on the second book now and had been considering The Shadow Queen as the title - but it looks like we will be going instead with the title The White Horse. It will be published in October 2005. I'm not sure right now how many books will make up this series - I suspect at least four, maybe more. Sorry, nothing is planned for March 2005.

Q

Hi, I would like to know when "the Last Kingdom" is going to be published in Brazil? Thank You. Patrícia

Submitted November 8, 2004

A

We have not heard of any plans yet to publish 'The Last Kingdom' in Brazil. But I have heard that 'Gallows Thief' will be published in Brazil sometime this month.

Q

Hi Bernard, I've followed up your mention of John Keegan and I read The Face of Battle. Now I am reading The Mask Of Command. Could you talk more about how he has influenced you? Had you read him before you started writing? I think that Keegan captures what it really feels like to be in soldier's position. Do you know of any other books that are like his? has he launched a style of writing about military history? Thanks for all your books and your ongoing thoughts. I'm on your website a couple times a week and I love reading the questions and answers. By the way, I'll be in England next march to look at the 1066 battle fields, any recomendations? James

Submitted November 8, 2004

A

I think the influence is simply to try and convey the chaos of battle. It might start off tidily enough, but Keegan makes it plain that it very quickly becomes chaotic, and that chaos has a strong influence on the participants. At its simplest it's the obvious fact that a French column advancing into volley fire is very soon going to find its progress impeded by its own dead and wounded. That may seem obvious, but few military history writers before Keegan took it into account, while now most of them do. It's applicable all across the board, of course, and two books I've enjoyed recently are Antony Beevor's brilliant Stalingrad and Martin Windrow's The Last Valley which is an horrific account of the French defence of Dien Bien Phu. Recommendations? You'll obviously go to Hastings, but after that it depends what you're interested in. Some of the English Civil War battlefields are interesting, but very few are really well signposted. I'd try and get hold of The Daily Telegraph book British Battlefields, published by Cassell Military Paperbacks. It might take some time, but try Amazon.co.uk - and that will give you a lot of good suggestions.

Q

Read Stonehenge, reading again, read the Heretic series (only twice though) but you surpassed yourself with the Arthur books. Have re-read over and over again and I seriously think either a series of films (akin to Lord of the Rings) should be made. The new Arthur film was absolute rubbish. Who would play Derfel and Arthur? Would be hard put to find decent actors to carry them off. Any suggestions? Your PR team/agent should be thinking of this idea. Let me know when,( NOT IF), this will come into being. Regards Diane

Submitted November 8, 2004

A

I have no idea! I would leave that to the casting experts. Thanks for your message.

Q

Hellooo. Just the one question. In the Napoleonic era (and such) how were Cavalrymen recruited? Was it the same process as infantryman where they were recruited to their local regiment, which could have been cavalry? It seems to me, that cavalrymen get the better deal in war, I know which one I'd rather be. Thanks for your time. James Trethowan

Submitted November 7, 2004

A

Cavalry were recruited much as infantry - and probably found recruiting easier because it was reckoned a cushier branch than the infantry.

Q

This is more of a question. have you read the Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson? If so, what do you think of it? Matt Bourne

Submitted November 7, 2004

A

I'm not sure I have, but I've always enjoyed Hunter S. Thompson, so will. Thank you.

Q

Bernie!! (can I call you Bernie?) You did it again my man! First you get me hooked on the Napoleonic Wars and then the Civil War and THEN the whole Grail Quest!!!! By the way are we going to see Tommy Vexille again? But now you got me hooked on the Danes and Uhtred of Northumbria! Bless you B! You are the man! Now when are the next Uhtred and Grail books coming?!! Sincerely Daveed Louza

Submitted November 7, 2004

A

No plans for another Thomas of Hookton any time soon - but the follow up to The Last Kingdom will likely be published in October 2005.

Q

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. Was Patrick Harper literate? I've thumbed through my Sharpe novels and couldn't find a case of his reading anything. Alan Kempner

Submitted November 7, 2004

A

He probably isn't, wasn't. I've always assumed he wasn't. Probably doesn't want to be!