Your Questions

Q

Hi, I read the trilogy about Arthur, and found it just one of the better books I have ever read. At them and the grail quest, the way you discribe the battles, the feelings and thoughts of that time, is just perfect. Anyone that reads could perfectly imagine how it would be to be just there, near the scene. By reading your books, and looking that you are writing about the Vikings now, I wonder if anytime you would set us again in another location of history. If you ever considered about stories from mid east, or even a deeper story involving the grail, like the knights of the temple, that take part on Thomas quest. Thanks for the attention, Krystopher

Submitted August 19, 2004

A

Um, no. For some reason the Crusades bore me, so it isn't a likely topic, and I have a feeling that the Templars have been overdone by novelists.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Is there a DVD copy of your doco Sharpe's War? I do not think the series ran in America and am trying to see it. Any plans for a full length Sharpe theatrical release? Also, something I've always wondered (being a huge Sharpe fan) does the fact that Sharpe saved Wellington in the first film, rule out any plans for the filming of the Indian Trilogy? Thanks for writing and making somany people happy. Quite rare these days. Yours, Joseph.

Submitted August 19, 2004

A

'Sharpe's War' - the four-part series shown on the UK History Channel - is not yet available on DVD or video. If and when it does become available, we will be sure to post the details to this website. There is some talk of it being shown on the US and/or Canada History Channels, but no definite information yet. We will keep you posted!

No plans now for a full length Sharpe release; however there may be (and again, nothing is definite yet!) a new Sharpe TV series in 2005 - an adaptation of Sharpe's Tiger and Sharpe's Fortress. We'll keep you posted on that one as well.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have not yet had the pleasure of reading your books because today is the first time I have heard mention of your name. I saw it on the website of George R. R. Martin, who is one of my favorite authors. You will probably not like the reason i'm writing so i'm going to get it over with! I've tried to find out as much as i can about the Authurian books that you've wrote because I love the subject. What I've been looking for is how Christians are depicted. The reason that I ask is because I'm a Christian, but would not consider myself a "fanatic". I believe in a message of God's love, and not that everyone will burn in hell or so on. There is alot about God that I don't understand, but there's alot that remains to be seen. I have my reasons in believeing the way I do, and I will never be judgemental of someone else feeling different about the issue. That being said, I understand that there are fanatics out there. Crazy people who shoot doctors in front of abortion clinics so I know that an image of this kind of Christian is being burned into the mindset of the American public. The only reason I mention all of this is because I want to read your books!! Are Christians in the books depicted soley as "evil" the way I have seen it done so many times? Were you writing the religious parts of the book written from personal experiences or pure history and the things going on at the time? I try to be as open-minded as I can and i don't get angry or upset when the plot lines turn this way, but I just don't think it would be interesting to me if it broke down my beliefs and threw them into a sop bucket. Do you feel like I'd be open-minded enough to read the books? I apologize for even asking you this, but I can't seem to stop myself from doing it! Please keep in mind that I realize I'm an idiot for asking, but I would appreciate an honest answer. Robert Stevens

Submitted August 19, 2004

A

I honestly have no way of knowing how open-minded you might be - but I hope you'll give my books a try!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have now read your Arthur trilogy three times, and, as a huge fan of Arthurian History, must say that it is by far the most realistic and entertaining book I have read on the subject. I recently saw the very poor film, 'King Arthur', and walked out of the cinema wondering why Hollywood had not turned their eyes to your work. Have you been in contact with any Studios as regards to making either a series (such as Sharpe) or film? I must admit that it would be a dream come true. Many thanks for hours of reading pleasure. Regards Pascual

Submitted August 19, 2004

A

No films in the works at the moment, but I'd be happy to see it happen! Thanks for your message.

Q

Just finished Enemy of God. Great yarn! Thanks. Did you ever read Norma Goodrich's history of King Arthur? She proposed that Camelot was a contraction of Caer Mallot (meaning something like Castle of the Hammer, the Hammer being Arthur) and put Arthur in Carlisle. I rather liked how she declared Lancelot a Scottish prince whose name was actually Angus (there was even a complicated lingustic proof showing how the one became the other). I still have Excalibur left to read but then I must wait months for the Last Kingdom. David Neill

Submitted August 13, 2004

A

I did read it., Interesting, but it didn't convince me. Camelot was a name invented by Chretien de Troyes in the 12th century, and he got it from the Roman name for Colchester - Camulodunum - so it's hard to see how it could be a diminutive of Caer Mallot.

Q

Dear Bernard In response to the query about Fitzgibbon and the bloody boys I can recommend the book Veteran of 1812 the Life of James Fitzgibbon by Mary Fitzgibbon. His is slightly similar to a mix of Sharpe and Harper. Self taught Irishman who wanted to be an officer and like Shapre with Wellington he had Brock as his patron.######## In regards to your mention of Shapre and that he might get to the east coast. Do you know of any good recommendations about those campaigns since sadly most British historys merely concentrate on Wellingtons battles. btw does that mean Sharpe might be at the actions of Sangutum and Valencay and Castalla against Suchet. It was always a great what if for me on whether he would have done as good against Wellington as opposed to Blake. And can you give a clue on what the next Sharpe book will be set around (Albuera????) #################### In regards to Starbuck like others I got excited at the thought of Stabuck going west and to tempt you even further Six Armies in Tennesse The Chickamauga and Chattanooga campaigns by Steven E Woodworth and Decsision in the West Campaign of 1864 by Albert Castel. There have been (in both fact and fiction) so many volumes about the Eastern fighting I was wondering if will we see Starbuck instead not with Grant and Lee but with Sherman/Johnston dance of death in Georgia. Geraint

Submitted August 13, 2004

A

Thanks for those recommendations. If I knew for certain what the next Sharpe book would be about I'd give you a clue, but I don't! The only good source I have for the east coast campaigns is Oman's seven volume history of the Peninsular War.

Q

Why did you choose the name Starbuck? Jim Starbuck

Submitted August 13, 2004

A

Not because of the coffee - but because it's an old New England name (mainly from Nantucket), and, of course, it's the name of the Pequod's first mate in Moby Dick.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Firstly I would like to say a big 'Thank you,' for all the pleasure you bring through your wonderful books. I often call by the questions page to read the interesting comments. I read one today asking if you ever thought of writing about WWII, to which you replied you have no real interest. I have just finished reading Coat of Arms by the very talented Susannah Kells!! (creep, creep) which is set just at the end and after World War II, but of course you know all about this - will Harper Collins be considering it for publication too do you think? I thoroughly enjoyed it and as usual fell in love with all the characters - Christine excepted. I must say that being a predictable woman I have to admit that your Sharpe's books are my very favourite - purely because I am besotted with Richard Sharpe! I believe all women reading the Sharpe's books must have a secret desire to have a lover like him. As a man do you think that most of the male readers have a secret yearning to be like Sharpe? I missed the series on UK History where you visited the battlefields featured in the Sharpe books. Do you know if they are available on video or DVD? With my kindest regards, Julie-Ann

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I hope you don't mind me sending you a second email so shortly after my first but I have been visiting a web site called Fantastic Fiction. On your list of other Novels it lists Gallows Thief 2 - is this just a reprint or have I missed something? Just wanted to check as I thoroughly enjoyed Gallows Thief and read in one of your interviews somewhere that you thought there may be a possibility of another in the series someday. Also, another question about follow ups - I just bought an old copy of The Fallen Angels (as I can't wait any longer for the new issue) and in the book it said that you were planning a third in the series. Did this ever get anywhere or did the lovable Sharpe get in the way? Thanks very much for your time. With kindest regards, Julie-Ann

Submitted August 13, 2004

A

I doubt very much that the third Susannah Kells title Coat of Arms (American title - The Aristocrats) will be re-issued. I really couldn't say if most male readers have a yearning to be like Sharpe, but I'd agree that the women want their men to be like Richard Sharpe. 'Sharpe's War' is not available yet on video or DVD, but they have promised to let us know when it is and we'll be certain to post the details to this website. And there currently is no 'Gallows Thief 2'.

Q

Hello Again Mr C I was recently reading an article on the BBC website about Sir James McGrigor, Wellington's surgeon General. As he served so long with the great man, and you include so many historical figures I was wondering why I'd never seen him mentioned in any of your books? (Especially as Sharpe gets mashed up so much) and he seems such a colourful character. The web page I saw quotes Wellington as saying "He couldn't have won Vitoria without him." because he set up hospitals that allowed troops to be brought back to their regiments. Do you know of this great man and his efforts and will he appear in any future stories? Nigel James

Submitted August 13, 2004

A

I do know of him, but whether he'll ever appear, I don't know - in truth Napoleon's favourite surgeon - Larrey - was much more interesting, and certainly a much better doctor! Larrey developed a battlefield ambulance for removing casualties swiftly because he'd worked out that men who had surgery while still in shock had a much higher survival rate than the poor sods who had to wait to have their arms and legs sawn off. There's a very good book on Larrey (by Robert G. Richardson), but I don't know one on McGrigor.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have greatly enjoyed you novels. I began with the Arthur books, then moved on to Starbuck and am now about halfway through the Sharpe series. All of them first rate! I have two questions regarding the Starbuck chronicles. 1) why did you decide to have your main character fight for the confederacy? 2) Do you have plans for Starbuck to leave the Confederate army and join the Union? Steven L. Hall

Submitted August 13, 2004

A

Because the Confederacy is more interesting. It has Moral Entanglements, and those are good for heroes. And no, I don't think Starbuck will change sides.