Bernard Cornwell Popular Books

Bernard Cornwell Biography & Facts

Bernard Cornwell (born 23 February 1944) is an English-American author of historical novels and a history of the Waterloo Campaign. He is best known for his novels about Napoleonic Wars rifleman Richard Sharpe. He has also written The Saxon Stories, a series of 13 novels about the making of England. He has written historical novels primarily based on English history, in five series, and one series of contemporary thriller novels. A feature of his historical novels is an end note on how they match or differ from history, and what one might see at the modern sites of the events described. He wrote a nonfiction book on the battle of Waterloo, in addition to the fictional story of the famous battle in the Sharpe series. Three of the historical novel series have been adapted for television: the Sharpe television series by ITV, The Last Kingdom by BBC and The Winter King for MGM+. He lives in the US with his wife, alternating between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Charleston, South Carolina. Biography Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was Canadian airman William Oughtred and his mother was Englishwoman Dorothy Cornwell, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Thundersley, Essex, by the Wiggins family; they were members of the Peculiar People, a strict sect of pacifists who banned frivolity of all kinds, and even medicine up to 1930. Reacting to being raised by Christian Fundamentalists, he grew up rejecting all religions and became an atheist.After his adoptive father died, he changed his last name by deed poll from Wiggins to Cornwell, his birth mother's maiden name. Prior to that, he had used Bernard Cornwell as a pen name. He met his father for the first time when he was 58, after telling a journalist on a book tour, "what I wanted to see in Vancouver was my real father." There he met his half-siblings, with whom he shares many traits, and learned his genealogy. He believes he is a descendant of Uhtred the Bold, upon whom he partly based the Saxon Stories book series.Cornwell was sent to Monkton Combe School in Somerset. He read history at University College London between 1963 and 1966 and worked as a teacher after graduating. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia. Following his work as a teacher, Cornwell joined the BBC's Nationwide and was later promoted to head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News.His first marriage ended in divorce in the 1970s. He met his second wife, Judy, in 1978 in Edinburgh while he was working for BBC Northern Ireland; she was a travel agent from the US and the mother of three children from a previous marriage. He relocated to the United States in 1979 after marrying her. He was unable to get a United States Permanent Resident Card (green card), so he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit. He later became an American citizen. Career As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C. S. Forester which chronicled the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars. He was surprised to find that there were no army counterparts, so he wrote such a series himself—further motivated by the need to support himself through writing. As his chief protagonist he created a rifleman involved in most of the major battles of the Peninsular War, taking the character's name from rugby player Richard Sharp.Cornwell originally planned to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to begin with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in Sharpe's Company published in 1982. He had a seven-book deal with his publisher. Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells": A Crowning Mercy published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing forms the background of A Crowning Mercy, which takes place during the English Civil War. He also published Redcoat in 1987, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British. Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in making television adaptations of the first eight books of his Sharpe series. They asked him to write a background novel to give them a starting point to the series and also requested that the story featured a substantial role for Spanish characters in order to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe's Rifles, published in 1987 and set in the period of the English retreat at A Coruña. It resulted in a series of Sharpe television films starring Sean Bean.This was followed by a series of modern thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (or Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and the political thriller Scoundrel in 1992. Cornwell wrote two books a year for a long time, slowing to one per year in his sixties. His idea of historical fiction is of presenting a "big story" in historical events and a "little story" in fictional plot. Patrick O'Brian, who wrote the Aubrey-Maturin series of historical adventures set in the Napoleonic era, said that there was "too much plot, not enough lifestyle" in the novels of Cornwell and C. S. Forester. Cornwell took that as a compliment and an accurate appraisal of the difference between the style of O'Brian and his own, while appreciating the association with Forester.With the success of the Sharpe series, Cornwell began to write about other periods and historical events in English and American history, both in series and in single novels. Azincourt was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, a devastating defeat suffered by the French during the Hundred Years' War. In 2004, he released The Last Kingdom, beginning the Saxon Stories centered on protagonist Uhtred of Bebbanburg and telling how the nation of England began forming under King Alfred the Great. He realized that few in England knew how England began, unlike Americans who have a clear date for their nation's beginning—so this became his "big story". His own ancestral roots gave him the "little story" in the protagonist Uhtred.The Fort, published in 2010, is another of Cornwell's stand-alone novels. It tells of the Penobscot Expedition of 1779 during the American Revolutionary War. He has been extremely successful in his writing career, selling 30 million books by 2015 throughout the various series and individual novels, and he continues to write new novels. Honours Cornwell was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2006 Birthday Honours for services to literature and television prod.... Discover the Bernard Cornwell popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Bernard Cornwell books.

Best Seller Bernard Cornwell Books of 2024

  • Agincourt synopsis, comments

    Agincourt

    Juliet Barker

    From a master historian comes an astonishing chronicle of life in medieval Europe and the battle that altered the course of an empire. Although almost six centuries old, the Battle...

  • The Seeker synopsis, comments

    The Seeker

    S. G. MacLean

    In Oliver Cromwell's London, nothing is as it seems Captain Damian Seeker must battle to find justice, when an innocent man's life hangs in the balance.'Challenges CJ Sansom for d...

  • The Empty Throne synopsis, comments

    The Empty Throne

    Bernard Cornwell

    The eighth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, “like Game of Thrones, but real” (The O...

  • Sword of Justice synopsis, comments

    Sword of Justice

    Christian Cameron

    'The master of historical fiction' SUNDAY TIMESSharpen your sword and prepare for battle...1367: Europe stands on the brink of total war.Political alliances are beginning to ruptur...

  • Enemy of Rome synopsis, comments

    Enemy of Rome

    Douglas Jackson

    A gripping, adrenalinfuelled historical pageturner from bestselling author Douglas Jackson. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Readers are loving Gaius Valerius Verrens...

  • Sword of Kings synopsis, comments

    Sword of Kings

    Bernard Cornwell

    The twelfth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England"superior entertainment that i...

  • Wildtrack synopsis, comments

    Wildtrack

    Bernard Cornwell

    Nick Sandman's spine was shattered by a bullet in the Falklands. He has no money and no prospects, only a dream of sailing far away from his troubles on his boat, Sycorax. But Syco...

  • Hammer of Rome synopsis, comments

    Hammer of Rome

    Douglas Jackson

    Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane, this formidable and compelling historical thriller from bestselling author Douglas Jackson will have you absolutely gripped..."Spect...

  • The Demon Club synopsis, comments

    The Demon Club

    Scott Mariani

    An unforgettable Ben Hope thriller from the #1 bestseller.Life is good for exSAS soldier and rescue specialist Ben Hope. He’s found love, peace and happiness at last… That is, unti...

  • Eagles in the Storm synopsis, comments

    Eagles in the Storm

    Ben Kane

    AD 15. The German chieftain Arminius has been defeated, one of the lost Roman eagles recovered, and thousands of German tribesmen slain. Yet these successes aren’t nearly enough f...

  • The Falling Sword synopsis, comments

    The Falling Sword

    Ben Kane

    CAN GREECE RESIST THE MIGHT OF ROME?Get ready for the climax of the Roman invasion of Greece in Sunday Times bestseller Ben Kane's latest historical adventure.ONE FINAL CLASHReelin...

  • Glory of Rome synopsis, comments

    Glory of Rome

    Douglas Jackson

    A riveting and allaction historical pageturner from bestselling author Douglas Jackson that will have you gripped from page one! Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Read...

  • The Long Sword synopsis, comments

    The Long Sword

    Christian Cameron

    'One of the finest historical fiction writers in the world' Ben KanePisa, May 1364.Sir William Gold is looking forward to a lucrative career as a hired sword in the endless warring...

  • The Green Count synopsis, comments

    The Green Count

    Christian Cameron

    One of the finest historical fiction writers in the world Ben KaneAfter the bloody trials of Alexandria, Sir William Gold is readying for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to ease the bur...

  • The Ill-Made Knight synopsis, comments

    The Ill-Made Knight

    Christian Cameron

    'Brilliantly evoked' SUNDAY TIMESDiscover the first medieval adventure in the actionpacked Chivalry series! Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow and Conn Iggulden.Se...

  • Stormchild synopsis, comments

    Stormchild

    Bernard Cornwell

    “[A] pageturner….Cornwell unleashes danger and violence, from both man and nature.”Atlanta JournalConstitution“Bernard Cornwell is to the yachting adventure novel what exjockey Dic...

  • Scourge of Rome synopsis, comments

    Scourge of Rome

    Douglas Jackson

    Bestselling author Douglas Jackson expertly brings the Roman Empire to life in this riveting historical adventure of fire, blood and battle. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Ben ...

  • The Bloody Ground synopsis, comments

    The Bloody Ground

    Bernard Cornwell

    From New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, comes the fourth installment in The Starbuck Chronicles, an exciting novel which vividly captures the horror of the battle ...

  • The Blood Crows synopsis, comments

    The Blood Crows

    Simon Scarrow

    IF YOU DON'T KNOW SIMON SCARROW, YOU DON'T KNOW ROME!THE BLOOD CROWS is the unputdownable twelfth novel in Simon Scarrow's bestselling Eagles of the Empire series. A must read for ...

  • 1356 synopsis, comments

    1356

    Bernard Cornwell

    Bernard Cornwell, the "master of martial fiction" (Booklist), brings Thomas of Hookton from the popular Grail Quest series into a new adventure in 1356, a thrilling standalone nove...

  • Caligula synopsis, comments

    Caligula

    Douglas Jackson

    Perfect for fans of Robert Harris, Conn Iggulden and Simon Scarrow, a riveting thriller set in Ancient Rome from bestselling author Douglas Jackson."...gripping Roman thriller. It'...

  • Sword and Scimitar synopsis, comments

    Sword and Scimitar

    Simon Scarrow

    SWORD AND SCIMITAR is the gripping tale of the Great Siege of Malta from Simon Scarrow, bestselling author of the Eagles of the Empire series. A must read for fans of Conn Iggulden...

  • Copperhead synopsis, comments

    Copperhead

    Bernard Cornwell

    Nate, a YankeeturnedConfederate, finds his loyalties tested at the Battle of Ball's Bluff, 1862It is the summer of 1862 and the Northern army is threatening to capture Richmond, th...

  • God of Vengeance synopsis, comments

    God of Vengeance

    Giles Kristian

    A glorious, bloody, perfect Viking saga of honour, courage, blood feud and revenge from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Lancelot, Giles Kristian. Perfect for fans of Bernard...

  • Wings of the Storm synopsis, comments

    Wings of the Storm

    Giles Kristian

    A Viking saga of warmongering, honour and loyalty from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Lancelot, Giles Kristian. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Games of Thrones."A...

  • Rage of Ares synopsis, comments

    Rage of Ares

    Christian Cameron

    Arimnestos of Plataea was one of the heroes of the Battle of Marathon, in which the heroic Greeks halted the invading Persians in their tracks, and fought in the equally celebrated...

  • The Great King synopsis, comments

    The Great King

    Christian Cameron

    The heroic story of Arimnestos of Plataea continues a thrilling historical adventure set amid the epic struggle between Greece and Persia perfect for fans of the blockbusting fil...

  • Defender of Rome synopsis, comments

    Defender of Rome

    Douglas Jackson

    This riveting and actionpacked historical thriller from bestselling author Douglas Jackson is real edge of your seat stuff! Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Readers a...

  • Avenger of Rome synopsis, comments

    Avenger of Rome

    Douglas Jackson

    If you like Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane, you'll absolutely love this enthralling and actionpacked novel of Roman adventure from bestselling author Douglas Jackson. Readers are lovin...

  • Saviour of Rome synopsis, comments

    Saviour of Rome

    Douglas Jackson

    A gripping and breathtaking novel of Roman adventure from bestselling author Douglas Jackson. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Readers are loving Gaius Valerius Verre...

  • Saxons vs. Vikings synopsis, comments

    Saxons vs. Vikings

    Ed West

    A witty and concise look at the beginnings of English history, when the nation consolidated after clashes between the Saxons and invading Vikings.In 871, three of England's four ki...

  • The Burning Land synopsis, comments

    The Burning Land

    Bernard Cornwell

    The fifth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling Saxon Tales chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, “like Game of Thrones, but real” (The Ob...