Dear Bernard: I have been an avid fan since your first Sharpe book, Sharpe’s Eagle, came out. As a young girl of about 11 then, my father gave me the book; and he and I have since been hooked. We have been lucky to get your books both in the UK (from where my parents emigrated) and the US; often getting the UK ones earlier than the US version. I came to your website as I am about to introduce my boyfriend to your books, and I am sure he will fall for your spell as well. I wanted you to know that you as compelling to the female side of the spectrum as you are to your male fans. You even inspired a debate between a 12 year old girl and her uninformed history teacher at the time, who insisted that a musket and a rifle were the same. You can bet that I set him straight! Your books further underscored my love of history while conveying the scope and horror of war as well. I also have read many of your other series, with more to go. Please keep writing and I will keep reading. Yours, Gail