Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted you to know how much I have enjoyed your books, particularly the Arthur trilogy and the Archer's tales. In the case of the trilogy, once I had finished them, for the first time in I don't know how many years, I had the urge to read all three again, rather than starting another book. You have a true gift for capturing the soldier's paradigm, whether in the sixth century or the 19th. Sincerely, Fredric M. London

In an August 30th posting (Your Questions), Geraint asked about a Flanders campaign in 1799. The campaign was actually to the Netherlands, specifically, Walcheren, and was a complete failure. The only book I know of on it is Piers Mackesey's "Statesmen at War: The Strategy of Overthrow, 1798-999." It is long out of print, but could probably be obtained at alibris.com. Alan Kempner

Sir, I was first introduced to "Sharpe" through PBS and the History Channel in about 1996, and have followed him in print since. I've also read Gallow's Thief, the first two of the Gail Quest, and am currently working on Crowning Mercy. Some of the others shall follow as they are found. I wish to thank you for the many hours of enjoyment that you have provided. I find Crowning Mercy is written in the same vein as Ian Fleming's The Spy Who Loved Me. As a male I find them facinating. A thought for a new book or trilogy would be the Seven Years War (French Indian War, as its called here in the U.S.). In particular Roger's Rangers as they were "Sharpe" 50 years (or so) earlier. They were Light Infantry and Militia, if memory serves. and it could cover a lot of ground. Yes I do enjoy history. And John Jake's Kent stories helped lead me to you. Thank you for your time. Sincerly, M.J.Matusek Weatherford, Ok

HI, I just want to say how much I enjoyed "A Crowning Mercy" I hope you will write more in this time peroid i would like to read more about Kit he is another one of your great Iharacters THANK YOU. Lee

I'll keep it short and sweet: PLEASE take Nathaniel Starbuck off his extended vacation and revive the Starbuck Chronicles :). Ken

First - thank you for the great pleasure I derive from reading your work - you tell a fine story and the accuracy of your work augments my knowledge of history! I just finisehd "The Archer's Tale", and the historical notes appended thereto. Regarding your inputs on the effectiveness of the longbow - if you are unaware, there is great similarity in effectiveness of the longows of the Native American Indians - to the extent that the American fronteersman in a small group or one on one cnflict was seriously at the short end of an exchange between the rate of fire, accuracy, and impact energy delivered by a well used Bow and Arrow vs. the rifled muzzle loader. I recall it took the introduction of the repeating rifle or revolver before the "balance" of the exchange changed. Again, thank you for the pleasure of your work! Harvey Chao

The work of a genius. Keep it up and I'll keep buying. Do you really live in the 21st century? Nigel

Enjoy your books-- read sporadically thought the different series but was a full-time English teacher and had little spare time for pleasure reading. Now that I am retired I plan to start at the beginning of Sharpe's stories and read in chono order--not published order-- My question--and I admit I have not devoted a a large amount of time on self-investigation--I have viewed several of the links to get an order of where I should start my reading--the book covers for UK books seem much more dynamic, eye-catching, and basically better, than the ones from US publishing--I understand writers have little control once you pass the book to the publisher---and your books sell well because of what is inside not outside--but, from personal perspective, I prefer the UK covers posted on your site to the US one almost every time...does your US publisher ever discuss the differences in UK art? Just a thought...got to get to the bookstore and look for some books. Vicki Cornelius

Re the Civil War tactics of standing in line formations. Both sides started out doing this. Both sides initially were armed with muskets as well as the new Minie Ball rifle. The term itself is misleading as the minie ball is a hollow base conical head bullet, similar to today's bullets. Its base rested on the powder in the barrel. When the powder ignited, the exploding gas expanded the sides of the hollow base driving them into the rifling. This extended the range from 60 yards to 350 yards. The extended range increased the number of rounds which could be fired from the time of engagement until the opposing line was upon the firing line, from at most two to at least 6 if not 8 rounds. What is more important, is that once a walking man was inside 80 yards he was virtually certain to be hit. However this technological improvement was only invented 6 years before Fort Sumter. The officers and NCOs of both sides had no idea that the new rifles would dramatically increase the lethality of firearms. Prior to the Minie Ball, the bayonet was still the principle battlefield weapon. No more. There were relatively few stand up battles prior to the Wilderness Campaign. Most batlles lasted a single day. Prior to the Wilderness few men would have actually been in combat more than 5 or 6 times. This wasn't enough experience to cause a wholesale change in tactics. The wholesale change started during the Wilderness as this was a prolonged period of combat, really lasting 10 weeks until Grant crossed the James river. During one of these battles, Spotsylvania Courthouse and the Bloody Angle, Union troops forsook the the standing line. They charged as skirmishers under close artillery support. This was really the start of modern battlefield tactics. Don Conrad

Hi Mr Cornwell Just a quick note, I read your Warlord Chronicles some years ago, and immediately as I finished the 3rd I started on the first again, they were for me (with the exeption of Wilbur Smith's 'Birds of Prey') the best books I have ever read - that is until April this year when I was given 'Sharpe's Rifles' by my boss at work. I finished 'Devil' on Monday this week - and I just wanted to thank you for all the effort it must've taken, to make those books (I read them all!) so damned good!!! - I now have an almost obsessional interest in that period in history and can't learn about it quickly enough. I am now halfway through Richard Holmes' 'The Iron Duke' and I'm just getting started. So I don't want to go on and on but you've given me something to lose myself in besides beer and music, and I absolutely love it!!! (mind you it has somewhat damaged the street cred!) Keep up the good work! You're a legend in your own lunch break! your no.1 fan' Paul Bender (26yrs essex)