Hi Bernard, Having retired and with more time to read, I recently picked up a Sharpe book from the library and enjoyed it so much. I have read several now and I also read the first three books in the Saxon series, in five days, I couldnt put them down. I was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK a Saxon hilltop town as they like to describe it. The second book The Pale Horsemen was then very real to me. There is a café in Shaftesbury called Alfred’s Kitchen, where story has it that Alfred burnt the cakes. Anyhow, just wanted to say that I enjoy the stories and the factual side to them, it has encouraged me to read more of the English history. Thanks very much Regards…..Dave