Dear Mr Cornwell

I would like to this opportunity to say thanks. I am a wildlife cameraman and most of the animal behaviours I am asked to film require a great deal of patience. But I have a secret weapon: ‘talking books’; renditions of your work in particular. I have been accompanied by Sharpe on many a nocturnal predator vigil in Africa and by Uhtred on many a bird of paradise stake out in New Guinea. So I just wanted to say a huge thankyou for enlivening the long jungle nights and helping me stay awake and avoid becoming ( on more than one occasion ) a permanent part of the jungle Eco system! But most of all for motivating me to find out more about my own culture and history. I am proud of my Saxon surname – a fact that my Indian wife often has to humour! – and I derive great pleasure from your incredibly evocative descriptions of ancient britain, particularly its landscapes, (often places I know well and have grown up in, here in the west country). New Guinea is a long way from Wessex but when I
have a need to remember where I come from, your books are often my first port of call.

Thanks again and have a great Christmas.

James