Bulletin Board

Dear Mr Cornwell, I came across your Sharpe books quite by mistake, but what a mistake! I then read all of the Sharpe series one after the other, often reading a book in one sitting. I very recently came across Sharpes Havoc. A tremendous surprise! For some reason I thought Sharpe was finished! I thought I would give Gallows Thief a try over Christmas and I just could not put it down. Wasn't it just like that green jacketed rifle officer to help Sandman out when he was in trouble?! Excellent! Did you know that Brian Lavery in 'Jack Aubrey Commands' says "The best fictional account of Trafalgar comes in a military novel- Sharpe's Trafalgar." Many thanks and please keep up the good work. Nathan

Dear Sir, it is very refreshing to see an author having a forum such as this in order to communicate with his fans. I am sure you do not need to do this as your books will sell just as rapidly. Myself and (I am sure the rest of your fans) do appreciate your time. thankyou. Looking forward to the Sharpe Convention and hope to see you there and meet other fans. I believe that your favourite creation has been the Warlord Chronicles I wholeheartedly agree and would love to see a trilogy filmed, directed by Peter Jackson. Any ideas for who would play Derfel? Chris Pollack

I have collected almost all of your Sharpe novels and the Grail Quest all of which are great reads. I am hoping to get some signed when you are next in the UK. Do you have any dates planned? Regards, Martin Dilger

Mr Cornwell, I have been a big fan of your writing for a long time now, and I must admit that my favourite books were the Starbuck Chronicles. I have read that you have sent him on an extented vacation to concentrate on Sharpe and his adventures. You also mentioned that this was in a way the fault (forgive me for that is not the right word to use) of TV. Perhaps you could try and influence those that made the Sharpe tv series to try it out with Starbuck. I realise that poor Nate is not as dashing and daring as Sharpe, (at least in the beginning) but they are fine stories and I for one feel that they would grace that television screen (or the big screen for that matter). Please let me know if you have any inclination as to when Starbuck will fight again. Gareth Jameson

Hello Mr. Cornwell, My name is Mario and I'm one of your many Brazilian readers. Thanks for having given us the Arthur Books - I just loved them and I can tell you that finishing the third book made me very sad. After leaving Derfel, I'm now - almost one year later - in the company of Thomas of Hookton, and enjoying it a lot too. Hope I can see them both in the big screen soon. While it doesn't happen, please don't stop doing that great job. Best regards, Mario

I love your Grail quest series, I hope this is/will be a long running series. I can't get enough of the adventures of Thomas of Hookton. Love you man, happy new year. Barry W. Harshfield Jr.

Just read Gallows Thief which I thought excellent. But then I have read all of your books. Well done. I was interested in your comments about the number of folks who were hung in the late 18th and early 19th century. A direct ancestor of mine and his father were both hung drawn and quartered for opposition to the Hanovians ie during the Old Pretender ( James 3rd ) and Bonnie Prince Charlie ( Charles 3rd) rebellions. Both were called Thomas Syddall and executed, of course, 30 odd years apart. The latter Thomas Syddall along with James Dawson, Francis Townley and George Fletcher were hung drawn and quatered on July 30th 1746 at Kennington and their bodies, except for the heads, interned in Nelson's Burying Grounds which is now St George's Gardens. Such was the public outcry over this form of execution that this was one of the last carried out. I suppose the whole event proved that the Duke of Cumberland had more men even if his father had a lesser right to the throne. Keep up your standards. All the best for 2004, Derreck Siddell

Sir, I am delighted to see that you have continued to write the Sharpe series. I started reading your books in the deserts of Saudi Arabia back in 91' and have continued to read, and to my wife's dismay (since I spend more time with Sharpe than her), reread them time and time again. I sincerely ask that you do not stop with this series. I was truly troubled when I read Sharpe's Devil and found his adventure over but was pleased to see you go back and fill in the gaps. Please keep up the good work. You are truely as talented a writer as Sharpe was a soldier. Thanks, yours truly SSG Stewart 2bn 75th Inf RANGERS

I read a comment posted on 1/7/04 by Gregg Singer that said he was having trouble finding a hardcover edition of Tiger. I got mine from my local Barnes & Noble. I couldn't find it on the shelf, so went to the order desk, told them what I wanted, and it was there in less than a week. To be honest, I've no idea if it's a US or UK version, but maybe that would work for Mr. Singer, too. Tom Stewart

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'd just like to say thank you. Ever since I received a box set of eight of the Sharpe books for my birthday last year I have read them all, apart from Sharpe's Havoc which I've had trouble obtaining. I have enjoyed the books immensely, and am paticuarly looking forward to Sharpe's Escape. I can help with a question that was asked by Mark, on the 6th January concerning a website with lyrics to songs of the period. One site that I have found interesting on this subject is http://www.contemplator.com/ it had lyrics and midi files for a large seclection of songs from that period. I hope you and your family have a great year, and I am looking forward to meeting you on your next book tour here in Britain. Benjamin Clist