Bernard Cornwell

Born in Essex in 1944 Bernard Cornwell was adopted at the age of six weeks by two members of a strict fundamentalist sect called the Peculiar People. He grew up in a household that forbade alcohol, cigarettes, dances, television, conventional medicine and toy guns. Not surprisingly, he developed a fascination for military adventure. As a teenager he devoured CS Forester’s Hornblower novels and tried to enlist three times. Poor eyesight put paid to his dream, instead he went to university to read theology. On graduating, he became a teacher, then joined BBC’s Nationwide, working his way up the ladder to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland, then editor of Thames News. In 1979, his life changed when he fell in love with an American.

"Judy couldn’t live here, so I gave up my job and moved to the US. I couldn’t get a green card, and for 18 months the only thing I could do was write novels." The result was his first book about 19th century hero, Richard Sharpe, Sharpe’s Eagle.

In addition to the hugely successful Sharpe novels, Bernard Cornwell is the author of the
Starbuck Chronicles, the Warlord trilogy, the Grail Quest series, the Alfred series and standalone battle books Azincourt and The Fort.
 

Bernard Cornwell owns houses in Cape Cod and Florida and two boats. Every year he takes two months off from his writing and spends most of his time on his 24 foot Cornish crabber, Royalist.

If you like Bernard Cornwell you might also like to read books by Wilbur Smith, Valerio Massimo Manfredi and Manda Scott

Death of Kings Bernard Cornwell This is masterful historical storytelling of the ninth century iconic story of King Alfred and the making of a nation, England. Meticulously researched, with characters that come to life as you read, it is a must read for any fan... Format: Paperback - Released: 24/05/2012 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

Death of Kings Bernard Cornwell This is masterful historical storytelling of the ninth century iconic story of King Alfred and the making of a nation, England. Meticulously researched, with characters that come to life as you read, it is a must read for any fan... Format: Hardback - Released: 29/09/2011 Lovereading Price: £14.24 - Saving £4.75 (25%)

Sharpe's Rifles Bernard Cornwell Lieutenant Richard Sharpe and a detachment of Riflemen are cut off from the rest of the army and surrounded. Their only hope of escape is to accept the help of the Spanish, but this assistance comes at a price: to ... Format: Paperback - Released: 15/09/2011 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

Sharpe's Tiger Bernard Cornwell Richard Sharpe and the Siege of Seringapatam, 1799. When a senior British officer is captured by the Tippoo of Mysore's forces, Sharpe is offered a chance to attempt a rescue, which in turn offers an escape from the tyrannical Sergeant... Format: Paperback - Released: 15/09/2011 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

The Fort Bernard Cornwell Bernard Cornwell, King of the historical action adventure has picked on an extraordinary battle in history -The Penobscot Expedition - that has fascinated the author for years, and will now fascinate his readers. Told from both sides of the battle,... Format: Paperback - Released: 26/05/2011 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

The Fort Bernard Cornwell Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 11 November 2010. Bernard Cornwell, King of the historical action adventure has picked on an extraordinary battle in history -The Penobscot Expedition - that has fascinated the author for years, and will... Format: Hardback - Released: 30/09/2010 Lovereading Price: £14.24 - Saving £4.75 (25%)

Harlequin Bernard Cornwell A 2012 World Book Night selection. In the fourteenth century the English were just beginning to discover their national identity, and one of the strongest elements of this was the overwhelming success in battle of the English bowmen. England's archers crossed... Format: Paperback - Released: 28/05/2009 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

Sword Song Bernard Cornwell The fourth in the Alfred series and as they progress they just seem to get better. Our hero, Uhtred encounters more battles, politics and mayhem as he continues to struggle with his Saxon birthright and his Viking upbringing. This series... Format: Hardback - Released: 03/09/2007 Lovereading Price: £14.24 - Saving £4.75 (25%)

The Lords of the North Bernard Cornwell This is the third in a wonderful series featuring a hero born a Saxon but captured as a lad and brought up by the Danes so his heart lies in both camps. However it is for the unity of England... Format: Paperback (b Format) - Released: 05/02/2007 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

Sharpe's Fury Bernard Cornwell Sharpe’s twenty-first adventure, he really does just get more and more exciting. This is terrific stuff. Format: Hardback - Released: 28/08/2006 Lovereading Price: £13.49 - Saving £4.50 (25%)

The Pale Horseman Bernard Cornwell Wow, he is good. This is the second in a trilogy starring a young warrior, Uhtred, who was born British, captured and brought up by Vikings and now back fighting for Alfred the Great. He is a fascinating character torn... Format: Paperback (b Format) - Released: 22/05/2006 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

The Pale Horseman Bernard Cornwell The second in his Alfred the Great/Viking series which is set to be just as big as his previous successes. Vikings seem to be popular at the moment, but of all the sagas crossing my desk, Cornwell’s is by far... Format: Hardback - Released: 03/10/2005 Lovereading Price: £13.49 - Saving £4.50 (25%)

The Last Kingdom Bernard Cornwell You may be familiar with Richard Sharpe from his many books or from the television series. But Cornwell is a prolific writer, he has written on the American Civil War, the Arthurian period, the Druids and even Regency romantic adventure.... Format: Paperback - Released: 06/06/2005 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

Fallen Angels Bernard Cornwell The second in the Chronicle of the Lazender family, however you would be forgiven if you couldn’t recall the 1st as it was published in 1983 by Cornwell’s pseudonym (Susannah Kells) click here for the 1st book A Crowning... Format: Paperback - Released: 21/02/2005 Lovereading Price: £5.99 - Saving £2.00 (25%)

Sharpe's Escape Bernard Cornwell Cornwell started writing the Sharpe series in 1980 and it is still going strong. Sharpe's Escape slots between Sharpe's Gold and Sharpe's Battle and like the rest of the series is packed full of historical detail and are a thoroughly... Format: Paperback - Released: 01/11/2004 Lovereading Price: £5.25 - Saving £1.74 (25%)