Customer Reviews

Crofton's Fire

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The reviewer who expressed concern that Crofton's Fire was light on military detail has a point. That said, the point is moot. Neither Flashman nor Crofton is, essentially, about military history. The contrast between Flashman and Crofton is, though, a very interesting one.

While the action in Crofton's Fire occurs during various exotic and pedestrian military assignments and engagements of the post- Civil War period, this fine novel is really not about the particulars of military history. Although the developing technology of military killing is central to Crofton's experience and reflection, the novel is not centered on battlefield tactics or weaponry and so forth.

The action of Crofton's Fire is centered on the coming into adulthood of Crofton. The theme here is the difficult but real possibility of building a self, a manhood in this case, in a world of death and dying and doing so without being defined by the horrors of one's time or by the pursuit of the opportunities inherent in skirting those horrors.

Flashman, on the other hand, defines his manhood through pursuit of his ambitions, and by doing whatever it takes to realize them. Crofton, quite the opposite, builds his manhood by transcending ambitions or, put another way, by constraining his ambitions in service to what he regards as higher causes: development of a sense of self-worth, humility, loyalty to his comrades, creating a loving family.

The beauty of Crofton's Fire lies in the reader's sense that Crofton's struggle to manhood appears to happen naturally, not easily, but naturally, without the didactic quality of an overt morality play. It is rare that a moral hero avoids being repugnantly good. Crofton does.

Who would deny that Flashman is a marvel, a unique, engaging rogue, illuminating history while manipulating his way through it? His compass points unerringly to money and fame.

Crofton is closer to Everyman. Unlike Flashman, he begins his career with no agenda at all except to do what the army assigns him to do. No guile, no real ambition, no direction, no compass to follow. Thus his journey to a full, adult self is a very different one from Flashman's. By the time Crofton understands his role in life, he finds it to be a moral one. He has found it through experience rather than bringing it TO experience.

The author of Crofton's Fire works in the delicate and difficult territory of the emerging human heart. Here, living and feeling and maturing into adulthood are not planned and not guaranteed. Failure is always an option.

One might say these two gentlemen, Flashman and Crofton, create radically different solutions to the same problem, to wit, becoming an adult. Flashman has a running start because he knows straight off where he is headed, and he forces his way to the self he has defined as his destiny. For Crofton, this is not so. All is in doubt as he lives his unpredictable life, finding out only well along the way who he has become and the special value and gratification in that.

For this reader, it is wonderful to have these alternatives so nicely drawn. Read Flashman and read Crofton, and don't feel compelled to diminish either by denigrating the one or the other. We certainly know our share of [not so clever, it is true] Flashmans, but fewer Croftons. It is ours to choose whom to admire and who to be.

Imagine a faster-paced version of Lonesome Dove, focusing on one man instead of a group of characters, and you'll have some idea of how good Crofton's Fire is. Crofton, the narrator, has a unique, funny and thoroughly entertaining voice. There's plenty of humor, some social commentary, and several very touching scenes. I was sorry when this book ended!

At first, the book feels insubstantial, too light. Then the spare, lean language flowing like water drags you along to deeper meaning. At the end genuine emotion appears, surprising the reader that this work could produce the result. A very good book.

Every now and then one is fortunate enough to pick a book off the rack at the library and discover a real gem; this was the case with "Crofton's Fire" by Keith Coplin.
The novel opens with a young lieutenant, a recent West Point graduate, at the Little Big Horn at the time of Custer's Last Stand. He is not involved in the battle, is instead part of a support unit, and after a narrow escape, survives. This young officer goes on to an undercover operation for General Sherman in Cuba, is sent to Arlington for a tour tending the graves of the Civil War dead, and then is sent to South Africa as an observer, but is forced by circumstance to participate in several horrific battles in England's war against the Zulus. At all times, Lt. Michael Crofton conducts himself with honor and integrity, and such an admirable, likeable character that you just hate it when the novel ends - all too soon.
I just loved this book, and look forward to more from Mr. Coplin. I heartily recommend this novel.

Amazing to think that this is Coplin's debut novel.
He writes spare, perfectly paced prose as if he were a seasoned pro.

CROFTON'S FIRE begins in the middle of battle, at the Little Big Horn where Custer meets his well-deserved - and in Coplin's hands, surprising - fate. Thereafter, we follow Crofton, an honorable soldier wading through often dishonorable times, as he does his valiant duty. From the wild, wild west to the savage killing fields of Zululand, South Africa, Crofton moves through history, an honorable man for all seasons. Told in crisp, clear, unsentimental and often heart wrenching prose, this is a historical novel without the usual overdoes of overblown language. Slightly reminiscent of LITTLE BIG MAN and maybe even, FORREST GUMP or Woody Allen's film ZELIG, this is a book to be treasured.

I stayed up all night reading it and I suggest you do the same.

I'm a nut for historic fiction and I was very excited about this book's release. It had been hyped up to me by a few friends, so when I read it, my expectations were high. And I wasn't disappointed.

Coplin's writing style is addictive - I hardly put this book down, and it only took me a day or so to read it. So much happens in this novel. There isn't really a dull moment. Even when Crofton isn't fighting in a war, it's still exciting. Crofton is a really likable character as well, because he's like a flawed hero. He has real problems just like all of us do, so you can really identify with him throughout the book. There are crazy twists that are just exciting.

I really loved this book. I think it's unfair to compare it to other works because this book is really one of a kind. It's an addictive read, with a great story and terrific writing. You should definitely check this one out.

I picked this book up to read on a plane trip and it kept my interest even after the flight. I didn't buy it for historical fact, so I was primarily hoping the characters and story would be interesting. I wasn't disappointed. The characters were colorful & engrossing. The story moved along at an entertaining and engaging pace and was over before I knew it. The main character, Crofton, had substance and was mildly thought provoking. Overall a good read.

Rare is the historical military fiction that's this clever and witty. The author leads us through a heroic tale of incompetence and dumb luck. Crofton is a likable protagonist cast into a series of soldierly mishaps from which he narrowly manages to escape. Underlying it all is subtle, sly commentary on the military and politics - as relevant today as in yesteryear. Well-paced, wonderfully researched, and stylish, Crofton's Fire is a crackerjack satire. (Note: I've never read Flashman, and I find it unfortunate that people must compare. This novel is what it is, and I enjoyed it for what it is.)

Okay, I understand that historical fiction will sometimes take liberties with the facts but this...jeez. Anyone with more than a passing knowledge of late 19th C history or military history will have their teeth on edge throughout this whole book. The book is competently written but the historical errors the author makes are inexcusable. Factual research on any of the "situations" Lt Crofton finds himself in is easily available in any public library. The author embarrasses himself with his inaccuracies on Custer, the Little Big Horn Battle, US Cavalry, weapons, West Point, Cuban Independence movement, Zulu War, etc. I cannot recommend this book as historical fiction but if you find a (free)copy in an airport and have a long layover go ahead; just don't expect to learn anything.

CROFTON'S FIRE is a quirky little novel about a military officer who, all things considered, would rather be in the bosom of his family. It begins with the words, "Something had gone terribly wrong," (in reference to the Little Big Horn,) and five years of fighting and cloak and dagger work later Crofton seems to settle down to a life of leisure at West Point...having first won the Victoria Cross fighting Zulus.

The best thing about the novel is its breezy prose style which makes it a good bet as a vacation read. I liked that Coplin put his hero in some atypical places and situations such as a burning house in a fight with Klansman or the middle of a riot in support of Samuel Tildon three years after he is defeated by Rutherford Hayes for president. Also taking part in these festivities are town ruffians who are upset because the cadets have beaten them 24-0 in an early baseball game. Confused yet? Well, the book is crystal clear but you will be hard pressed to find a larger significance for the events covered by the book apart from occurring during the chosen time frame.

Another reviewer mention the FENWICK TRAVERS series of historical novels and I agree they are indeed the closest comparison. Although their author, Raymond Saunders, called them "entertainments," they are historical fiction. IMO, for better or worse, the quite distant attitude displayed by Keith Coplin toward history marks CROFTON'S FIRE an an entertainment, NOT historical fiction. Basically, this book should not be mentioned in the same breath as those by George MacDonald Fraser, Patrick O'Brian or others of that ilk.

But that doesn't mean you won't enjoy reading it. In fact you probably will if you are in the mood for a wholesome protagonist who learns how much he values his wife and children within the context of (five years of) late Victorian history. But OTOH, you probably won't find yourself running off to the library or bookstore to learn more about the events mentioned between the covers of CROFTON'S FIRE. It's just not all that concerned with history. The fire in Crofton's heart burns only for his wife and kids.