Bulletin Board

Hey Mr Cornwell. I have to say that Im a real big fan. When I was young I use to read alot of CS forester. His stuff was ok, but lacked any real excitement or punch. I started reading your Sharpe series years ago, and have reread them all many times over. I just finished reading Sharpes Siege again. Man what a book. My mom works at a bookstore so I get her to get me advanced proof copies to read, cause I just cant wait, but then when you do lauch a new book, I always run out and get one because the book just wouldnt be complete without the maps, and I want to make sure that you get something from the royalties. I saw on TV that you are doing a signing at a local bookstore in Burlington tommorow, I hope I can get some time off work to come and get a signed copy of Sharpes Escape. Theres so many positive things to say about your series, from historical content to hope, to just Sharpes mean struggle from the bottom to the top. Alot of people lend books..but I have to say that I dont lend yours, I can only hope that some get reprinted as many of my earlier ones which arent trade, or hardcover are starting to fall apart. Would it be a strecth of the imagination to bring Sharpe out of retirement and send him to the Crimea...sure he would be old...but what a read!!! You could make him a general!!! Sorry I just get greedy and look forward to a new book from you in the Sharpe series every so often. Im sure like all good things, Sharpe will come to pass, but where ever you do leave him, it will have been a worthwhile journey. I want to thank you for enrichening my life with Sharpe and his Napoleonic struggles...I think to few people realize today what a serious impact the Napoleonic wars had on both modern day western life and borders. Thanks for being a great author, If you can get the old ones back in print that would be great as I will gladly buy them all in hardcover!
Dave Leek

I just wanted to tell you that we love your books. We listen to them on audio as we drive across the USA in a tractor trailer, it makes the driving more bearable for my boyfriend. We started listening together, yours was a book I picked because I love period books, from then on were hooked. I can read them all at home, he searches truck stops. We are really fond of Sharpe and Harper, we just wanted to thank you for hrs. of entertainment, and keeping David sane on the road! And we look forward to Aug. for more adventure! Maryellen

Dear Bernard I have read all the Sharpe books and am currently enjoying Sharpe's Escape, but I wonder if our Richard is becoming a bit wet, frequently calling Sarah 'darling'! She's not even the love of his life! Please can we keep Sharpie as a rufty-tufty hunk of few romantic words but plenty of action! Thanks a million for the countless hours of enjoyment, escapism and education your books have given me. Cheers, Linda.

Okay, were do I start. Well firstly, as many have already done, thank you for your great contribution to the world of novels. I first came to read your books when I watched Sharpe on the television (the one with Liz Hurley) when I was about ten, well I'm 20 now so it must have been around then. And whilst on the subject I must say what a stroke of luck to cast Sean Bean as Sharpe. I have read in one of your FAQ that there is no plan at the moment to make a 'Lord of the Rings' style trilogy of the Arthur novels. You may or may not be interested to hear that there is an Arthur Movie coming out later this year with Actors such as the british Keira Knightly and a whole host of others. As much as I am looking forward to watching it I can safetly say that It is not going to be as good as one which you have written the plot for. I'm sure you hate being put as a comparrison against other writers but I put down Lord of the Rings to read Excalibur. After I had finished I picked LOTR back up again and after 2 pages decided to read all three of the Arthur novels again. LOTR is yet to be finished. I can safetly say that I have no holes to pick in any of your books as I have found them all most interestingly factual. I am greatly looking forward to reading you new novel and hope their are many more to come. Thankyou, Jane

Dear Mr. Cornwell, From what you say on your website, you have no intention of writing one of your sailing thrillers in the near future mainly because you enjoy writing the historicals much more. I do entirely understand this. But, I am now asking you most fervently to please change your mind and write another. Quite possibly I am asking this of you, and quite selfishly I know, because I love the way you describe the sailing life and the suspense you write about is uniquely genuine and lovely. And then, I also write with this plea in hopes that if the requests for a new thriller have lessened in number lately that you will know that there is at least one more person out here that truly wishes to read just one more of your wonderful writings in this genre. But, even if you never do write another, I want to say thank you for so many entirely glorious hours you have given me with all of your books. It is because of authors like you that readers like me wish we could create something in our lifetimes that would be nearly as wonderful! Thank you again. And again!! A devout fan, Michael Morris Muskegon, Michigan USA

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I've just finished Mark Urban's 'Rifles'. It only served to bring your books to life even more than before; what particularly struck me was a moving account of how a wounded Sergeant Fairfoot saved the life of Lieutenant George Simmons at Waterloo. Fairfoot had tears running down his face as he attempted to rescue the apparently mortally wounded Simmons. Their friendship had transcended the boundaries of rank, and it was hard not to be reminded strongly of Sharpe and Harper. The book was full of events and anecdotes that every Sharpe fan could nod at, be it the harsh discipline of the British Army, the expertise of the Rifles and the sheer bloody brilliance of Wellington's army. I daresay your research for Sharpe has included the Rifles archives and does it show! Thanks again.

No reply necessary. I just wanted to say that I have just finished the gallows thief and loved it. I am a big fan of Deryn Lake who writes about the same period. Having worked in so many different party of the fabulous city of london, including the law courts at the old baily and royal courts of justice, I absolutely love having the history of those streets I know so well, brought to life. I shall read a Crowning Mercy now which I think is similar and will look out for any more of these from you. Many thanks for a really enjoyable read. Katie Dick

I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed your Arthur trilogy, Nathanial Starbuck chronicles, the grail trilogy, Gallows Thief, Stonehenge and have Redcoat sitting on my coffee table to read. I never thought the type of books you write would so deeply suck me in, but, alas, they have. I eventually will read the Sharpe series. I'm a Robert Silverberg fan and these books, all of which I discovered and read this year, are a nice fresh retreat from my norm. Thank you. Douglas Bricker

Mr Cornwell: I was present last evening, Tues., for your chat and book signing at the Carriage House. It was a true pleasure to listen to your explanation of the evolution the Sharpe series. Your wit and humour, somewhat Python-esk to me at least, was refreshing and entertaining. Not to mention it was an honour to meet you. Thank you again for not only Sharpe and The Warlord Chronicles, but for all of your other books as well. Slainte Thom Walters

I read Sharpe's Eagle many years ago, shortly after it came out in paperback, but I lost my copy. I recently bought Sharpe's Havoc and joy of joys Sharpe's Eagle was back in print so I bought another copy. In the foreward, you state that you have never reread it. I do urge you to do so because there are a few inconsistencies with your later books. For example, in Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe is a private when he is taught to read by Col. Lawford, but in Sharpe's Eagle he is a sergeant. I noticed another inconsistency but have forgotten it at the moment. If you would like me to search for it, please let me know. It was perhaps unfortunate that Sean Bean played Sharpe in the very enjoyable TV series because the Londoner Sharpe had then to be born in Yorkshire before coming down to London and of course Sean Bean is not over six feet tall with black hair as Sharpe is in "Eagle". I like the way that in Sharpe's Havoc you are subtly converting Sean Bean back to the Sharpe of Sharpe's Tiger. The foregoing are not meant to be criticisms. I greatly admire your work and you are certainly my favourite author. Keep up the good work. Finally will there be any more " Starbucks"? Roy Prentice