Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have enjoyed all the books I've read of yours, I have two questions - will we see Rider Sandman meet up with a certain officer in french cavalry overalls and his huge Irish seargent? And, Is Thomas of Hookton really the Great great ... grandfather of Richard Sharpe? One other item please, please, please give us more stories of Thomas and hopefully some adventure with Robbie Douglas you did leave them open for further adventures! I do think a Grail Quest movie(s) would be an awesome thing to see in the the theatres. Cliff Edens

Dear Mister Cornwell, I truly have to thank you for the many hours of pure pleasure I had reading about Sharpe. I had seen the TV series in Germany some 10 years ago and quite liked it. Even though I then lacked the historical background, it certainly was something out of the ordinary. About three years ago, finally catching up on the blessings of the internet, I searched for Sharpe and found your books. It took quite a bit of the money I had been able to save up during my time with the German Army but I purchased them all. I simply couldn't stop while I knew there were yet some novels out there I hadn't read. They are, simply, swashbuckling (a word that doesn't even have a representation in German). Being a native Hanoveran I couldn't help but starting to feel the greatest sympathy for Sharpe and the British under Wellington, especially when I read about the King's German Legion. Mind you, I know for a fact that one of my ancestors from Schaumburg-Lippe was a French soldier in Spain. Having said that, I also have to thank you for arousing my interest in the History of the Napoleonic era. However, I do have one very practical question. I am just reading "Rifles" again and I stumbled over some passages which I couldn't quite figure out. You wrote a) that the Riflemen fired at the French Dragoons under l'Eclin and then directly attacked with their sword-bayonets fixed, b) that the Riflemen cut their hands reloading. If I remember correctly, the sword-bayonets are fixed directly on the muzzle of the Baker rifle, thus making it impossible to reload with fixed swords. I'd be grateful if you could explain this (either my misconception or author's liberty). Finally, I'd like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and successful 2005. Sincerely, Dirk, Hanover, Germany

I have almost completed reading the full set of Sharpe books over the last four months and I have found them the most interesting books for many years. Would it be likely that we will here more of his recruitment and early days in Flanders, resurecting Sgt Hakeswell in the process? Kev Roberts

Dear Sir. Thanks for the many great books and this excellant website. I have been hanging out for some time now to read a Sharpe book based on Sharpe joining the army, his basic training and his first battle. Do you ever plan to write a book about these topics? Paul Beccarelli

Hello, Mr. Cornwell. I am currently in the thick of THE LAST KINGDOM (80 pages to go!) and absolutely loving it! I understand there will be a sequel, and I wondered when it might be scheduled to come out and what its working title is, if that can be divulged. I also wondered whether you might be doing a book tour for TLK in the US sometime in the near future. I live in New York, and I would love the chance to go to a reading/book signing, if one might be on the horizon. One comment about TLK in the meantime: I've been surprised at the ease with which Uhtred is able to switch allegiances between the Danes and the English. Occasionally he makes a comment about this, but overall, he doesn't seem too troubled by the fact of his divided loyalties. The one exception seems to be his feelings about Ragnar, which are constant and unsullied. How is it that he can go back and forth between the two camps and first kill the English, then the Danes (for whom he has a professed fondness and preference!) with apparently equal sword joy, as he would put it? Can you give me some insight into what makes him tick? I've read your Arthur trilogy, STONEHENGE, and the three GRAIL QUEST books, and I thought all of them were great. But I think this is the best thing you've written since THE WARLORD CHRONICLES, which remains my very favorite. Renee Tone

I was wondering if you have thought about putting the Sharpe series in volume format? It would be so nice to be able to read the series in one or two volumes. Great Christmas gift too! Christine

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I will avoid gushing, and keep this brief. Thank you. One exceptionally late night 10 years ago when I was a student at the Ontario College of Art and Design - I chanced across "Sharpes Eagle" on PBS. Since that time Sharpe has become a form of moral/ethical comfort food for me. Any time I feel a bit unhappy, or uncertain about where my life is headed - I just pop a Sharpe DVD into the player and take it in for all that it is worth! Now unfortunately I have started reading the novels!! They are like literary "crack". I can't seem to read fast enough, or make enough time available to feed my new addiction. My girlfriend consequently does not place herself amongst your biggest fans ;) I am curious, do you have any intention of ever placing Sharpe in Canada during the war of 1812? Or even earlier - at the "Plains of Abraham" where British control of North America was determined over the French? Thank you again for what has been an incredible ongoing experience. I look forward to reading more about Sharpes adventures, and I hope that we will see new episodes made for TV. Your Loyal fan. Jason Chagnon

Is the documentary of Sharpe's War ever going to be released, if so when and how much will it be? Adam Walsh

I have always been an avid reader of all your books, not just the series' but also the novels. I have just finished reading The Last Kingdom and must say that this is the best so far, I could not put the book down and am now desperate for the next in the series. Also will there be anymore in the Grail Series? Finally will you be in the UK anytime soon doing a book signing? Many thanks for all the enjoyment you give. Regards Russell Keeble

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