FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON. [Import] [Hardcover]

George MacDonald. Fraser (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: COLLINS. LONDON 1985; First Edition edition (1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0002712458
• ISBN-13: 978-0002712453
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,865,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant history, June 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Flashman and the Dragon (Paperback)

To say that this book makes history come alive will probably put off all potential readers, but really, I mean it in the best possible sense. As a novel, it's OK, although the plot's a mess. It's the historical bits that are fascinating - someone wrote that late 19th-century China attracted the largest ever group of eccentrics and scoundrels, and they are all here!

Who is weirdest? - the cello-playing English general who later inspires an aria by Gilbert and Sullivan? the mercenary soldier from the American Deep South who defects to fight for the Chinese Taiping Christian rebels? the evil Empress Tzu Hsi, later known as Old Buddha? Even more fascinating (and moving) is the description of Lord Elgin ("Son of Marbles")'s expedition to enforce the Sino-British treaties. The author has researched this thoroughly, and much of the detail comes from the narratives of H B Loch, one of Elgin's assistants. The descriptions of Chinese torture and the gruesome results may be found in Loch's "Personal Narrative of Lord Elgin's Second Embassy to China" - do whatever you can to find a copy of this, it's worth it!

The great thing about this story is that the excellent historical notes allow you to make up your mind about the rights and wrongs of the whole affair. This book really ought to be included in Amazon.com's listing for "Taiping Rebellion" - it's certainly more engaging and readable than Jonathan Spence's tedious "God's Chinese Son".

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Flashman!, March 4, 2002

By 

M. A. Thurston "MAT3" (Corona, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flashman and the Dragon (Paperback)

FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON is the third "Flashman" book I've read. Previously I had read ROYAL FLASH and FLASH FOR FREEDOM. Of those three, I liked FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON the best. The historical setting during the Taiping Rebellion and the British/Mancho conflict is fascinating. Compared to the other two Flash Harry novels I'd read, this was heavier on the history, a "HISTORICAL novel" if you will, while the other two were more "historical NOVELS"... and FLASHMAN AND THE DRAGON it is better for it.

If you have never read a Flashman novel, by all means read one. Better yet, I recommend listening to the unabridged audio versions read by David Case. I listen to 25+ books a year and David Case is one of the best. Since I am an American Yank, it helps to hear Case's perfect Brit accent flesh out the English colloquialisms... they read funny on the page, but sound even funnier on tape. If you've only read Flashman, check out an audio version at your local library... it will add a whole new dimension to the Flash Harry experience. Long Live Flashman!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flashman matures... or at least gets wiser, April 13, 1999

By 

Stephen A. Skubinna - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flashman and the Dragon (Paperback)

Make no mistake, Flashy's still the spineless poltroon he always was, but for me the most interesting feature of this book is the way in which he has evolved into a more calculating coward. His bowels still turn to water at the merest hint of danger, yet he has honed his fiendish cunning and learned to wear the mask of cool calculation. Thus, when threatened with death, dismemberment, or exposure, he can present a collected front while all the while his mind is feverishly plotting an escape.

Let's just say he's learned tactics and no longer panics, soils himself and flees... He's learned to use his entirely undeserved heroic reputation to advantage instead of bolting from one horrendous situation to the next. Still lucky, he now modifies his chances through judicious posturing and careful shaving of the odds. A real treat to see him mature, if that is the correct word. Still a despicable cad, but one who has learned the art of survival with style, if not grace.

Amusing to see that even cads, bounders and cheats are suceptible to character development. Well done to Mr. Fraser for allowing Flashy to grow a little - and not improve one whit!