Dear Mr. Cornwell, As I came to the end of the Sharpe books and felt a sadness that the adventure was coming to the end, I am now experiencing the same feelings as I get close to the end of The Starbuck Chronicles, The Bloody Ground. Yes, there are many similarities between Nate and Sharpe, but what captivates me with Starbuck is its on American soil and our history in the States. I did learn much from Sharpe on the histories of England, France and the Napoleonic wars, there is still a much stronger bond to U.S. history for this American. With the right actor maybe you could breath life back in to Nathaniel for the rest of the Civil War and a movie/series to support it. My wish for Christmas. There are the Saxon and Arthur books still waiting to be explored but Starbuck is truly captivating and you have nailed the sights, sounds and smells of the great tragedy of our Civil War. Thank you for keeping my imagination and love of history alive.

Jim Tharp