Mr Cornwell, I don’t know whether to thank you or curse you! Until about 5 years ago I had the freedom of the book shop shelves – picking my next read on a whim and a fancy. Now my first port of call is the shelf labelled “C” and, more often than not, I return home empty handed, content to reread one of your earlier offerings (I’m currently reading Rebel again!) rather than risk the disappointed of another author! Seriously, I want to thank you sincerely for giving me, as near as I am ever going to get, the experience of living in a vibrant, adventurous and ‘real’ history. On that note, are you aware of your books being studied/used in schools as part of a History or English Literature course? I only found my love for History upon leaving school as I, like may of my peers, was subjected to turgid facts and dates, described as ‘history’, that left me cold. Your work serves not only to entertain but to educate and I have no doubt that it would be a valuable teaching aid. I apologise for, and deeply regret, taking up your time especially when you should be working on my next history lesson! Kind Regards and many thanks. Mike Lavelle (a fellow Brit in exile)