Dear Mr Cornwell I have been meaning to write to you for many years now, to simply thank you for for being the creator of the Richard Sharpe novels and giving me so much pleasure and interest in the Peninsular Wars. My eldest son ( in his final year reading engineering ) has read every Sharpe novel several times and you should be proud that your writing can fire the imagination of the young as well as my own generation. Your success is something that one can admire but, oh how I do envy your creativity. It is a wonderful thing to know that for generations to come that many will still be enjoying your work and I wish you all the very best in the future. Kind regards Clive James