Hi Bernard, As a result of your endorsement “I don’t need this kind of competition” on the cover of every book I’ve started reading Simon Scarrow’s “Eagle” series. Interesting that his joint heroes, Macro and Cato, have Sharpe’s best attributes shared between them. Cato the innovative thinker and Macro brutal and brave. They’re good but not that good. If you’ve got any competition in this genre of novel it’s from Valerio Massimo Manfredi – his “The Last Legion” is a cracking good read isn’t it? I reckon he’s come nearest to your highly held mantle. Best regards – Richard Hobart