Dear Mr. Cornwell, I agree with you that Sean Bean is ideal in the character of Richard Sharpe. However before the TV films were made I had a preconceived mind’s eye picture of Sharpe derived from the existing book descriptions. I find that Sean Bean’s Sharpe, excellent though he is does not quite fit this picture. The Sharpe of the books is 6ft. 1″ tall; in long range shots Sean Bean does not appear as tall as I had thought Sharpe would be. My imagined Sharpe had black hair, Sean Bean’s hair is fair. Perhaps the most telling difference between the Sharpe of the book and the Sharpe of the film is the accent. The book Sharpe was dragged up in the gutters of London, he probably never left there until he was 15 when he spent a mere 6 months in Yorkshire. His accent and that of his contemporaries must have been “Cockney” or similar. Sean Bean speaks in a broad northern accent. This surely would never have been the case. Sharpe would have no reason to change his ingrained London accent even if he were capable of doing so, which I doubt. However he is your character, you control him and do so brilliantly and I can now ignore my small misgivings. I also find battle descriptions, by all authors, somewhat confusing. I found for example compass directions a little difficult to follow in Sharpe’s Skirmish. Although there is a sketch map on the cover of the book an arrow indicating north would have been useful. I am sure I am not alone in finding occasional difficulties in following the progress of battles and relating landmarks to the action. A sketch map with a compass direction and if possible a scale, together with an indication of all the places and objects mentioned in the text would clarify matters considerably. I know you frequently show plans but nevertheless I can sometimes become confused and perhaps a few more details could be added. I am eagerly awaiting your next Sharpe book. With Kindest Regards and Congratulations on your International success, immaculate research and skill as a storyteller. Yours sincerely Basil S. Garratt