Dear Bernard, With the recent publication of a book on why the UK is to blame for all the worlds troubles and should pay compensation for things from Gulags to Vietnam I was just curious if you had read it and what your opinion of it was????

In regards to the next Sharpe I hope this does not prejudice you either way but I have to ask will it be Albuera I doubt I exaggerate when that seems to be the battle most Sharpe fans would love to see Sharpe get to (bad for Sharpe though I guess).

And there has recently been some query on the battle of Monmouth on whether it was a US win (stood there ground) and British win (rearguard saved the bulk of the army and wagon train) or simply a draw I wondered what you thought and whether you will ever write about it??

Finally could Uthred find himself up against the Scots in the next one?? Yours sincerely Tony