Mr. Cornwell, I promise that I won’t take too much of your time considering that you’re booked enough as it is. As an Irish American interested in knowing, and also out of curiosity, is it true that Irish soldiers serving in the British Army between the American Revolution and the Napoleanic Wars were the finest and most aggressive shock troops in the World? Additionally, according to Wellington himself they were mainly responsible for Britain’s preeminence in its military career. Though I guess one could make this equally strong case for the Scottish Highlanders and the Gurkhas as well, yet I still believe that the Irish were the best of the best! From what I’ve read certain units of Irishmen could strike fear into the hearts of even the toughest German Hessians, and those guys knew how to fight (the Hessians!)! Thing is, you know way more than I do regarding Britain’s military history, and you certainly have the authority to repudiate any assumptions that I may have concerning the role that the Irish played as fearsome red coats charging into battle under the Union Jack. From reading Sharpe’s Battle I could easily ascertain that they proved to be the decisive factor in the final clashing of bayonets and cold steel during those moments that mattered! They had balls, that’s for sure (they were courageous beyond measure!)! Mr. Cornwell, thank you very much for your time and best of luck, Taylor Ahern, N. Quincy Massachusetts. p.s.- your books are simply outstanding, often exhilarting and flawlessly detailed, though of course you know that!