Your Questions

Q

If you do a sequel series to the Grail Quest, would it be the adventures of Thomas's son with Genevieve, and his mortal enemy being Thomas's son with Jeanette? And would any more Vexilles or Cathars turn up? Looking forward to The Last Kingdom. Reminds me, that in a second hand bookshop I saw a book about Alfred, written in 60's, 70's? It was 2nd or 3rd in a series. I forget author's name and book title, but I was wondering if you were aware of it? Thanks for all the good reading I have enjoyed over the years. Adrian.

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

Don't know if there will be a sequel to the Grail Quest series. The Alfred book? You're almost certainly referring to Alfred Duggan - who died, I think, in 1963, and I'm pretty sure he wrote on King Alfred. I read Duggan when I was a child, but haven't seen much of him since, but he was a very successful writer. I can't think who else it might be.

Q

Sir, I am currently researching Lt General Sir John Moore and his legacy to the military of today. I have had difficulty in finding out if he laid any of his training methods for light infantry (during his time at Shorncliffe) or if he developed tactics of his own. The modern military follows a "manoeuverist" principle and I want to see if Gen Moore could enlighten us - even from 200 years ago. I am also looking into his effect on Coalitions and Expeditionary Warfare as well as the leadership that he demonstrated. I believe him to be a much underrated and undervalued influence (out shone by Wellington) but am finding it hard to get good material to research. Cheeky I know but I would value any steers you could give me. I do think it is time to sound a "note" on this formidable leader. Yours faithfully, David C Robertson

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

The book you want - and it is long out of print, but Abebooks.com or another of the second-hand book sites on the net might help, is Sir John Moore's System of Training by J.F.G. Fuller. The book was published by Hutchinson, London, in 1924 or 1925, and Fuller, of course, was a distinguished light infantryman himself. I think it will go a very long way to answering your queries.

Q

Dear mr. Cornwell I' m very happy to give you my congratulations: you' re my favourite writer! So a little question: I've read Stonehenge and the first and second Arthur book and I've noticed Saban is similiar to Derfel: not a great hero but a little boat in the sea of love: each one has a woman that he loves "like you can love a free eagle" and a real "ordinary" love. Is this theme autobiographic? Thanks Giuseppe Russo from Naples

Here I am again Mr Cornwell (I just hope I'm not becoming invading...), here to thank you for your answer, it means so much to me...thank you again! However I wanted to start discussing about some points of your works, even if I consider it all just one. I read just what they have already published here in Italy (which I think is not very much...) even if I'm waiting to read "Vagabond" and another one about Sharpe(don't know the original title of the book...). Well, first of all, before we start going on in what I hope is going to be a good conversation between two people with similar interests, I have to know if my basic theory is correct, so can you tell me if it's true that Saban, Derfel, Thomas and Sharpe are the same person? The same person throughout time but in the the same place with the same starting point (Saban is the only one who is quite grown up when he gets to the same starting point of the other ones but maybe it is this that will catch him unprepared and will make then him what we can call a prevaricated loser, the best one among the losers but a slave among the free ones). Italo

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

I don't think Saban is much like Derfel?? Derfel is a warrior - an enormously successful one. But see the next q and a!!

Are they the same person? I think they all have the same author, which is probably much the same thing, and I suppose I subconsciously inflict myself on them, or I inflict my daydreams on them, which is what authors do, so yes, you're probably right.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have read most of your books and love them, in particular the Warlord chronicles and the Grail Quest. I can't wait for the Last Kingdom. Are you planning to write any books on the Roman Empire? Ryan

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

Probably not - Conn Iggulden does such a good job with it, best I leave it to him.

Q

I see on your book list is a book about the battle of stones river. Have you read about Gen. George H. Thomas....the Virginian who fought for the Union and was the only Union General to destroy an entire Confederate Army??? How about a book about him? thanks for putting Sharpes Eagles at 3.99 as someone who has never read the series before it was a good opportunity to get the book and look at the series. Leonard

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

I have read about him - and yes, he would make a good tale. Maybe one day?

Q

I am still "marching" through the Sharpe series in the best tradition of an armchair warrior. My question concerns dear old Obediah Hakeswell. We last left our "loveable" rogue falling into a bad situation. However, you did not finish him off with a final strike. Are there any plans on bringing this fine character back in a new Sharpe novel. Surely there must be a gap in Sharpe's time that can be filled. Perhaps Obediah can appear in another series. John Lapin

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

It is not likely that Obediah will appear in another series. Will he show up in a new Sharpe book? Sorry - you'll have to wait and see.

Q

Why is the US release date of Last Kingdom several months later than in the UK? Will it be a different version? (BTW, I went ahead and ordered it from Amazon.ca for US shipment, so it is possible to get it in the US in October anyway). -Mark

Submitted October 1, 2004

A

It is the decision of the US publisher to publish the book later in the US than in the UK (and now it looks like the publication date will be in February not January 2005). It will be the same version of the book The Last Kingdom.

Q

Firstly may i say what pleasure you have given me over the years. With all of your books firstly Sharpe and onwards. My favorites of all your books are the Starbuck Chonicles.Have you any intention of continuing the Adventures of Nate and Lassan.... I'm sure after the current conflict either the West and or the French adventure in Mexico beckons. Peter Cooley

Submitted September 30, 2004

A

I do hope to get back to Starbuck someday, but it won't be this year and probably not next...

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, You've done Arthur, The Amer. Civil War, The Sharpe novels, and the Hundred Years War. Are there any plans for doing a WWI novel? Also I'd like to tell you I just finished "The Archer's Tale" and now I am gobbling up "Vagabond." You are a superb writer . Your books are wonderful and I enjoy them very much, with their engrossing landscapes and unforgettable characters. You are one of my favorite authors. Thank you for opening up my reading mind from just science fiction and modern action/adventure novels. From a loyal fan, Jonathan Bennett - Atlanta, GA

Submitted September 30, 2004

A

Thank you for your kind message. No plans for a WWI book.

Q

Dear Bernard In regards to your forthcoming book tour for Last Kingdom I was wondering if you might find yourself at Chester. A great historical town with a huge history from Roman times through to the British Civil Wars (worth a visit)???? btw After reading Robert Malcomson's excellent book on the Battle of Queenstown Heights in 1812 (I can reccomend it ) I was wondering if you have ever thought about writing about the War of 1812 conflict and the battles like QH/Stoney Creek/Chryslers Fram and Lundys Lane etc all seem just as bloody (if slightly smaller scale) as the fights in Spain especially that most of the fighting (and dying) was done by British soldiers (tragicaly brushed over) who called themselves the forgotten soldiers similar to British soldiers in the far East during WW2 who called themselves the same thing. I was just wondering if Sharpe/Fredrickson or Sandman might per chance ever get to some of these engagements. While its undeniable that your books reawakened interest in British soldiers in Spain I was wondering if the same thing might be applied to the troops in NAmerica. People like Brock and Tescumseh and the maligned Prevost have been given short thrift. It was part of the Napoleonic wars as well. And especially as (Monroe I think but not sure) admitted that If they (The US) knew Napoleon was going to lose they never would have declared war. btw in regards to Starbuck wil he ever gat back with Sally Truslow since those charachters seemed to have a lot more chemistry off the page than Julia Gordon who just seemed to giggle a lot. And will Starbuck find out about Delenays treachery in regards to both trying to kill him and having Sally raped??? Also after reading Gordorn Rheas books about the Overland campaign and the slightly more sympathetic look at Grant what is your opinion of him. Lee himself considered Grant the greatest general who ever lived yet on the other hand there is the Legendary Grant the Butcher charge. Whats your opinion and wil Starbuck be fighting in the 40 days ???Also undeniably Starbuck has a high opinion of his abilities so will he ever meet and fight with Nathan Bedford Forrest or Pat Cleburne's division in some of the western battles like Stoney Creek or Chickamuaga against the Norths western armies who would have a low opinion of his abilities in being and easterner ???? Anyway look foward to Last Kingdom. Regards, Geriant

Submitted September 30, 2004

A

Sorry, no plans to be in Chester - maybe another time. The War of 1812 is not high on my list of priorities right now. I suspect Lee was exaggerating! I think Grant is an extremely hard-headed, cold-eyed general who understood what was needed to defeat the Confederacy, and then did it ruthlessly and well. He's certainly not one of the great imaginative generals (as Lee was). I find Grant's personal story immensely interesting, and think he's probably underrated, but in the end it's hard not to see him as the man who remorselessly grinds down the enemy by using superior numbers, superior weaponry and a willingness to take casualties.