Bulletin Board

Hi Bernard, I have no requests, I just wanted to thank you you for the Sharpe series. Strangely enough, I discovered them through Audible.com and have only heard them read by Frederick Davidson. Either way, I love the characters of Sharpe and Harper and am trying not to read your books too quickly so I don't run out of material (at least within this lifetime). I hate to dive too deeply too quickly, but I think Sharpe represents all the best traits of the archetypal hero. I'm by no means a military man, soldier, or fan of war but the spirit of the character resonates with me. Either way, I just wanted to say thank you, the novels helped me through a very difficult time of my life, and you're one on my list of people that I'd like to thank. Michael

Thanks for the best modern sailing novels written. Jeff

I regret that Starbuck had half of his face wasted and that his young servant was killed. I assume that Lucifer was the child of Starbuck's nemesis and the half brother of his best friend. I do not regret a discontinuation of the gore of the Cival War. Enough has been written about this just as Patrick O'Brian and others have well covered battles of the sea. You asked your correspondants not to suggest book topics, but at least hear this one. In DeVoto's "Across the Wide Missouri" he references Lewis Hector Garrard, "Wah-To-Yah and the Taos Trail" in his bibliography. DeVoto says that this young man had one of the great adventures of the "Mountain Man" age. I think you will agree. Denis Wright

Dear Bernard, As a follow up to the Salamanca visitor's centre-No it isn't on the battle field but is a small centre tastefully built in Arapiles Village. Best wishes, Neil Brownlee

Sir, The first time I read "Sharps Tiger" I absolutly fell in love with your books. As you might have guessed I am in the American Air Force stationed here in the UK. I guess because I am here and a soldier myself I have come to enjoy your books that much more. I really envy Sharpe....to be as brash as he is...but I would certainly be put into jail..again, I just want to thank you. Jaime Perez

Greetings from Slough in Berkshire. I would like to congratulate you on the excellent Grail Quest Series. I have read the first 2 books so far and cannot wait to get the last one. I have these books to be an absolute riveting read, better, dare I say, than the Warlord Chronicles which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you for taking the time to read this. David.

Frank Greenough on 2 June 04 asked you why making a ball spin would make it more accurate. Imagine a ball with a small defect in one spot. Fired from a musket that defect would cause increased resistance in that one direction causing the ball to veer off a straight path. But if the ball is rapidly spinning then the defect is constantly in a different direction and thus evens out. So the ball flies straight. Since all balls (bullets) will some defect of shape or weight, even if minute, the rifle is more accurate than the musket. Daniel Thomas

I met you in SC 2 years ago when you spoke at our SC Book Festival and you told me all about Sean Bean as Sharpe then I read your great review of MacBeth - please review Troy for me and others. Thanks so much, Helen

Just wanted to say that I am a very big fan. Love the Sharpe books greatly, but encouraging you to write the next Starbuck chapter. I'm a Civil War reenactor who has read the first four books oh.....say.....ten times each (no exaggeration). Keep writing, and I will keep reading. Brian W

Mr. Cornwell: Last week I was at our local library and was delighted to see SHARPE'S ESCAPE available. I have read all of the Sharpe Novels and was so pleased to see another. I thought about limiting myself to reading only 10 pages of SHARPE'S ESCAPE per day. By doing that, I would be able to delay the time for reaching the final page. My plan is failing miserably. I knew it would. As usual, I am intriqued, entranced and delighted with your latest Sharpe Novel. I may try my 10 page per day plan again on your next Sharpe Novel. One must keep trying. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent. Bill Dussling