Mr Cornwell: I (and my father) love your Sharpe series. I have read 6 of the books and intend to read them all. We were introduced to Sharpe through the series on an American public televison station. I think your talent for storytelling and capturing the condition of a soldier from the beginning of the 19th century is extraordinary. Sharpe is also a deep and interesting character. I believe in some of the simple values that Sharpe practices. His barbarity is a matter of necessity and experience, not pleasure, or so I think and hope. I also hope that some of Sharpe’s values are not just fictions for you, but reflect something personal.

I have a couple of questions, and pls. feel no obligation to answer. Which do you think are your best works, Sharpe or otherwise?

What authors (no limits here) do you enjoy? I am also a big C.H. Forrester fan and both my father and son take a lot of fun from reading Hornblower novels. As an American, Virginian if that means anything to you, I wonder what it is about England that enables such meaningful, literate and compelling sagas and characters in adventure novels? Many thanks for your time and work and with appreciation and warmth, Sutton Stern