Dear Mr Cornwell, My friend and I – he being a curmudgeon who served in the Royal Canadian Regiment during the 50’s and 60’s, and myself being (of far later vintage) ex-RGJ NCO turned Crab Fat (owing to the quality of food in the RAF mess and the lovely girlies within) – have often discussed your books. The question always arises…how the bloody hell do you get inside a soldier’s head so well? Between us we have been unfortunate enough to have served in more than a dozen wars/conflicts/Blairite enterprises and cannot get over the accuracy within your books of campaigning, the soldier’s general demeanor and, I am loathe to recall, how battle effects many of us. That a soldier did not write any of your books is astounding. I left the army (for a girl, of course) but when I read about Dick Sharpe, Uhtred and Nat Starbuck it brings me back to the wonderful days with the most wonderful of men. Until my beloved reminds me that the screen door needs repairing… So thanks. Yours Faithfully, Mark; now of a peaceful existence in Ottawa