Mr. Cornwell, While I’m sure you are inundated with numerous e-mails like this on a daily basis, I nonetheless wanted to send you a note of thanks and encouragement. A voracious reader as a youngster, I have always devoured books – especially those that have a historical fiction basis and are combat related. I am a 17-year career Infantry officer in the Army and have enjoyed several of your books immensely. My favorites include Agincourt, the Grail Quest series, and Saxon stories. I always wonder how my favorite authors (you, Steven Pressfield, Conn Iggulden) are able to capture the nuances of combat so well. I have deployed too many times and have been put into combat situations that I am unable to share with anyone who wasn’t there – not because I don’t want to, but more because it’s difficult to articulate the emotions, fears, joys that accompany those unique and seemingly indescribable scenarios. You Sir, come the closest. I feel the same adrenaline and enhanced situational awareness when I read the battles of my favorite character, Uhtred of Babbenburg. January 2010 seems like a long time away for his next adventure but like a dutiful Soldier, I will be patiently waiting and look forward to immersing myself in his next book in order to share that warrior mentality once again. Thank you for your dedication and vision. I wish you the best of luck in future novels and will remain a devoted fan. Very respectfully, Eric Weis LTC, Infantry