Customer Reviews

Flashman's first omnibus

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George MacDonald Fraser is a first rate historian who has published several history books. With his Flashman series he puts his man Harry Flashman into actual historical events of the last century. These books are richly documented and have extensive footnotes... But that is not all.... The Flashman papers (as all of these books are supposed to have been written by Harry Flashman, retired in his mid 80s and early 90s) tell the story of a decorated war hero, a knighted soldier, and a beloved national figure, who is really a world class cad and scoundrel who won all of his awards and honors in spite of the fact that he is at best a womanizing coward! These are funny and entertaining while showing you actual historical events in great detail. All that is left is to wonder A) how Flashy got into the situations, and B) how he will get out of them. I highly recommend the entire series!

I have enjoyed all of the books by George MacDonald Fraser over the years. His "Flashman" series is wonderful! They are, without a doubt, the finest historical fiction I have ever read. I have taken the time to research many of the incidents where Fraser has inserted "Flashy" and have found that his dedication to the historic context is quite accurate. Often I feel that I have to research the outrageous events related in the story as they seem outlandish and impossible- but I always find that history is stranger than any fiction. Many times while listening I am struck by the sheer genius in stringing together so many seemingly unrelated events into a fantastic tale! My highest reccomendation.

The novels involving the Flashman character are some of the most entertaining, enlightening and engrossing stories of the Voctorian era worldwide. I await Mr. Fraser's spin on how Harry Flashman philanders his way though the American Civil War. It will be a great story. When is going to happen, George?

Very funny, entertaining, and historically pretty accurate. George McDonald Fraser is a former Gordon Highlander who served in Burma among other places and has also written a few hollywood scripts. Flashman is the character from "Tom Browns Schooldays", is expelled from Rugby for drunkenness , joins the army and is sent to India... Royal Flash is what "The Prisoner of Zenda" should have been, hilarious and adventurous. Flash for Freedom and Flashman and the Redskins are the pick of the bunch. McDonald Frasers book "The Pyrates" is great for anyone who has ever watched an Errol Flynn movie....