Mr. Cornwell, I am a recent convert, having purchased the first set of the Sharpe series at Costco…then I had to get the rest. Now I am in the throes of the books and must say they rival the Forrester Hornblower series, clever and earthy without being sleazy. Thanks so much! I also enjoy your Christian references – the Col. McCandless character was a great sketch and I’m grateful you made a believer into a hero and role model for Sharpe. I am almost to Rifles, which is where I began the video series so I am anxious to see how the film stories mimic yours. Bean is well cast, even though, he is blond. Grace to you, M. Hudson