Dear Bernard After recently hearing of the death of David Chandler whose Campaigns of Napleon is truly a classic work on Napleon I was wondering if you had ever met him???? Also in regards to Sharpe works would Albuera/Burgos and Murrays Eastern campaigns at Castalla and Tarragona against Suchet ever figure in future Sharpe books ???? btw in regards to Starbuck is it not about time he and Sally Truslow got back together. The idea of Starbuck and Julia Gordorn never seemed to click on the page and getting Lassan with Sally amost seemed like an excuse to free up Nate. btw I can reccommend Hackwood Diabolical Englishman by Francis Ward as an excellent work of a real life Essex mercenary in 14th century Italy. And to continue in the effort to tempt you to send Starbuck west I can reccommend Decision in the West the Atlanta Campaign by Albert Castel a great account of the dance of death between Sherman and Johnston. Besdies Starbuck likes to think he is the best then its about time he faced the Norths western armies which argubly were the best (On the Norths side at least). Geraint