Bernard Cornwell books

Bernard Cornwell

Bernard Cornwell is a British-American author of historical fiction and military novels. Born in London in 1944 and raised in the United States, Cornwell discovered his passion for history after moving to the UK permanently in 2003. He is one of the most successful historical fiction authors, known for meticulously researched, gripping tales that bring history to life.

Biography

Cornwell was born in London during World War II but was adopted and raised in the United States. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before working as a journalist for regional newspapers and eventually as a producer for the BBC in Northern Ireland. His writing career began almost accidentally when his wife, who tired of his complaints about a lack of good fiction, challenged him to write a novel himself.

The result was Sharpe’s Eagle, the first book in the celebrated Sharpe series about a British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars. Cornwell has since written dozens of novels across multiple series, each exploring different periods of history with the same combination of historical accuracy, military detail, and compelling storytelling.

Writing Style

Cornwell’s novels are known for their meticulous historical research, vivid battle scenes, and complex protagonists. He often focuses on soldiers and warriors, examining both the glory and the brutality of war. His writing style is direct and action-packed, immersing readers in historical periods with period-appropriate dialogue and detail.

Major Series

Warlord Chronicles Reading Order