Hello Mr Cornwell, I would like to start off by saying that you are one of the most inspiring writers I have ever had the joy to read the work of. I am 17 and many of my peers say that the author that got them reading was J K Rowling with Harry potter. Although I myself have enjoyed her books, I found myself reading them, then nothing else. It was you that really got me into reading, Sharpe’s tiger was the literally genius which exploded my mind and due to that book I read all the other books in the series and many books from other authors which has helped me in my English tenfold. So firstly I must say a huge thank you. The reason other than thanking you was to ask your advice on a certain matter. I am studying for my A levels at Colchester sixth form and I have decided to take a course known as the extended project. It involves very little (in practice none) in teaching from a teacher but more of a supervising role whilst the student completes a 5000 word essay (or a 1000 word essay and project like a dramatisation) on anything you wish, be it from new fashion to Alexander the great. My first idea was looking into the origins of martial arts as that has been a hobby of mine for a long time however I discovered after some research that the idea was flawed as it is arguable that cavemen formed a type of martial art. Hence it was re-reading Sharpe’s eagle that gave me a new title, how did the purchasing of commissions affect the efficiency of the British army in history. I was contacting you because I know you research your books before writing them and I was hoping you may be able to point me in direction of any books/authors/or other relative research you may have come across that could help me in my essay. Thank you for reading and I hope you are very well and are writing more fantastic books. Ben Carver