Bulletin Board

Q

Bernard, I really love your books. I have read loads of your books; the Sharpe Books, The Thomas of Hookton series, The Grail Quest. I am now reading the Starbuck books again. I really enjoy reading about the American Civil War. Please, write some more Starbuck books - theres another 3 years of the war left! Keep up the great work! Andrew Clarke


Q

At the risk of ignoring your guidelines, I am impressed by your Sharpe series and the obvious research that has gone into the historical battles, which includes the men, equipment, weapons and life in the British Army during those times. I believe a non-fiction book on the progression of the military during the centuries would be valuable. No plot to steal there but please forgive me if I have over-stepped the mark. Cheers Gary

A

Richard Holmes does it much better! His Redcoat and Tommy are superb, and I'd make a hash of it - so, despite your kind words, I'll stick to fiction!


Q

I am a female who came upon the Sharpe series of books because I saw Sean Bean in the "Fellowship of the Ring" and did research on his other films, discovering he played Richard Sharpe in a large number of British movies. I began "Sharpe's Tiger" on March 31, 2004, and fininshed "Sharpe's Devil" this evening (July 22). I would have finished the books sooner but unfortunately had to go to work five days a week. They are wonderful, heart stopping adventures. Sharpe is a MAGNIFICENT character and I was amazed at how you got him out of all the peril he put himself into along the way. He also seemed to have a better character for all his lack of "breeding" than most of the upper class he had to deal with in the army and elsewhere. Thank you so much for such a page turning adventure series. I look forward to reading them all again maybe sometime next year. Bobbe Klimovich


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I read non-fiction most of the time, mainly history, particularly British history, for no particular reason except that I enjoy it. But my husband and I have enjoyed your "Sharpe" series of book immensely and want to thank you. We've skipped into fiction and the British Navy with Patrick O'Brien's books and you certainly have brought the army to life for us with your Sharpe series. Sincerely, Roberta & Bill Parker


Q

Just wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying a number of your books (Sharpe series, Arthur series, Grail Quest series, Killer's Wake, Gallow's Thief). Thanks for such enjoyable reading! Pat


Q

I have only read three of your books and those are the Arthurian stories. I loved them and I would like to thank you for that. I am hoping soon to see another book like that or at least similar material. Thank you. Vangjel Pali

A

Perhaps you will enjoy The Last Kingdom - click on the 'What's Coming' page to find a link to the book page for it - and to read the first chapter. Thanks for your message!


Q

I just finished "Sharp's Escape". As always a great read. The most welcome line is the last line of the Historical Note, "Sharpe and Harper will ride again." This requires no answer but it is a great day when I see a new Bernard Cornwell on the shelf. George Wilkins


Q

Just a note to say how much my husband and I are enjoying your books - all of them. I'm so glad there are many so we have much to continue with. My husband is a prolific reader and I'm not sure how he'd not read your books sooner, but now we're enjoying them together. Here's to your continued success. Josh and Mary Miner


Q

Mr. Cornwell- Recently, I began reading Wildtrack, (which is, by the way, excellent) and was quite surprised that it seemed so critical of the media. The media figures in Wildtrack are largely callous, manipulative, selfish, and dishonest. What surprised me, truly, is that you yourself worked for the BBC, and I wondered if some of the inspiration for Wildtrack was taken out of your own experiences. (Exaggerated, of course, I doubt most TV moguls murder their wives and have their hired Boers beat up VC recipients' at least not on a regular basis, anyway.) I suppose this sort of rattled me, because of an event that happened about a month ago when I was at the 60th Anniversary of the American invasion of Saipan. This celebration included a visit by General Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay, who was returning to Tinian for the first time since flying the Hiroshima mission. After a dedication ceremony, at which the General spoke, the photographers swarmed around him, snapping at each other like dingos fighting over a kill. Not only were they pressing this poor, 90 year-old veteran, (who was so exhausted after his speech he had to resort to a wheelchair) but they were jostling each other aside like children in line, screaming at each other to "Get the hell out of frame." I watched this, shocked, with my own camera dangling lifeless around my neck. An aspiring journalist myself, I was completely aghast at these "professionals" who seemed to have little personal civility and no compassion. Not one of them thanked the General when he left. In any case, what I'm trying to state is this: you really hit the nail on the head when you wrote Wildtrack. There truly are people in the media who are interested in telling stories, but not feeling them. People who write human interest, but without showing any themselves. PS: Glad to hear about the Lifetime Achievement Award. Even if it makes you feel old. (Which it shouldn't, anyone who can reply to a historical query with the sentence "Nah, Nelson rules," clearly does not qualify for that category.) Regards, Robert Rath

A

I make the media appear 'callous, manipulative, selfish, and dishonest'? Me? I would do such a thing? When the lovely, gentle, considerate and honest members of the media write reviews of my books? I don't think I should make any comment! I liked yours, though.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Thankyou for the brilliant Warlord Chronicles. My children were happy when I finished them because they got their Mum back again. There were many occasions when it was impossible to put the book(s) down, I got away with this by saying that I wasn't honouring the story or the author by abandoning the book at such an intense moment. Thankyou for plunging me into another time and place and introducing me to such wonderful characters. If only all the people we met were as loyal and likeable as Derfel. Thanks for your time. Regards Jo Dugan