Hi Bernard, To respond to Edward Alberts comment on use of the ‘F’ word by British soldiers (FAQ’s posting dat 24th April). As an ex-squaddie of some 16 years service I can assure him that soldiers use the word almost as punctuation! But then one thing binds us to our predecessors and that is that the job of soldiering is a non-politically correct, full contact pursuit. It takes a certain blunt perspective. Ultimately it was to me, and I suspect most soldiers, just that. A job. I thank you for casting your characters from the same flawed and irreverent mould. Sharpes terse comments, style and confounding of authority have stood the test of time and are still alive and kicking in the military establishment. Uhtred’s quick thinking on his feet and mischief (the trial and it’s reasons for example) are instantly recognisable. The host of colourful support characters completes the picture. Speaking of which. Please, please, please bring Pyrlig back at some time in the future.
Stephen Navesey