Having finished all the Sharpe books, I have just started reading Arthur Bryant’s The Great Duke – because my library has a copy and because it focuses on Wellington’s military career. This book has things in it that Longford/Pakenham did not cover. For example, in 1794, “. . . Lieutenant-Colonel Wesley’s 33rd regiment proved an exception and, by its discipline and its steady musketry, plugged a dangerous breach in the line and, when others were failing, firing company volleys in extended line beat off a strong attack by a French column.” Quite a baptism of fire for young Dick Sharpe, I would think. Ed Hume