Dear Mr Cornwell, I have just read the first ever ‘Cornwell’ book, Gallows thief, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am researching my family history, specifically my 7x great grandfather who was an officer in the Bengal army and wanted to get an idea of his life. Somebody recommended your Sharpe novels. Here’s the question [at last;)], would you recommend my reading ‘Sharpe’s story’ before embarking on the novels or would you prefer that I read the novels first [in chronological order of course] and then read it. Ive read the bulletin board and see that there is no follow up to Gallows thief at this time, but I found the book, ie your style, easy, entertaining and informative, Many thanks Ruth Wood ps my ancestor was Lieutenant Colonel Richard Twine Seyer of the Nizam’s infantry in Aurangabad at the time of his death in 1831.