Reliving history

SIR – Amanda Foreman (“Don’t sneer at historical fiction, it’s keeping the past alive”, Comment, June 2) makes a spirited attempt to dispel the academic contempt that, unfortunately, often attaches itself to historical fiction.

I am currently reading the Warrior Chronicles series of novels by Bernard Cornwell. These eloquently describe the struggle to unify the disparate kingdoms of England under King Alfred the Great and his successors.

Although the central character in these books, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, is essentially fictional, the historical background to these novels is wellresearched and informative, thus inspiring me to delve deeper into this fascinating period. Odo Saunders

Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire