The Sheikh and the Dustbin [Paperback]

George MacDonald Fraser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

These stories continue the career of Private McAuslan, described by his platoon commander as "the biggest walking disaster to hit the British Army since Ancient Pistol", as he goes across North Africa and Scotland. George MacDonald Fraser is the author of the "Flashman" novels.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The third McAuslan volume should certainly be among the first books you pack this or any other holiday season" - The Times

"Written with the kind of unaffected vigour which has characterised the greatest British humorists, [these stories] confirm that he can do for the Scots what Flann O'Brien did for the Irish and P.G. Wodehouse for the English" - Daily Mail

About the Author

The author of the famous 'Flashman Papers' and the 'Private McAuslan' stories, George MacDonald Fraser has worked on newspapers in Britain and Canada. In addition to his novels he has also written numeous films, most notably 'The Three Musketeers', 'The Four Musketeers', and the James Bond film, 'Octopussy'. George Macdonald Fraser died in January 2008 at the age of 82.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0006176755
• ISBN-13: 978-0006176756
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,435,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chaos in a grungy kilt, November 12, 2000

By 

Reader "piratebean" (Newport, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sheikh and the Dustbin (Paperback)

It is time that you hear "the sub-muckin', the whole cheese, the hail clanjamfry, the lot' about the Scottish Highland Regiment that served in Africa after World War II.

George MacDonald Fraser has written the stories of this regiment and its most infamous soldier, Private McAuslan, in three collections: The General Danced at Dawn, McAuslan in the Rough, and The Sheikh and the Dustbin.

Through the narration by platoon commander Dand McNeil, McAuslan comes alive as the dirtiest soldier in the world, "wan o' nature's blunders; he cannae help bein' horrible. It's a gift."

Yet McAuslan is one of the most loveable creatures in all of literature. He may be grungy, filthy, clumsy, and disreputable, but he tries to do his best. Through his many misadventures, McAuslan marches into the heart of the reader, right leg and right arm swinging in unison, of course.

McAuslan, outcast that he is, experiences some infamous moments in his career: court martial defendant, ghost-catcher, star-crossed lover, golf caddie, expert map reader, and champion of the regimental quiz game (!). His tales, and the tales of his comrades-in-arms, are poignant at times, hilarious at others. These tales are so memorable because they are based on true stories.

The reader basks in all things Scottish in the stories. The language of the soldiers is written in Scottish brogue, although Fraser says in his introduction, "Incidentally, most of this volume is, I hope, written in English." Don't fret - a glossary is provided. (Reading the glossary alone causes some serious belly laughs.

If you read only one book this year, read this one. And if you know any veterans, give them a copy. It's a volume that the reader will not soon forget.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Peace" in Egypt as experienced by a British Army subaltern, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sheikh and the Dustbin (Paperback)

Young Dan'd MacNiell trys to keep his copybook clean and his upper lip stiff while dealing with the absurdities and dangers of being an occupying power in postwar Egypt. He and his men muddle through bravely, sometimes hilariously. One of their biggest muddles, of course, being the notorious Private MacAuslan, "The Dirtiest Soldier in the Army." The names and some facts were changed (probably on legal advice), but the stories ring true as a sword blade. Hilarious, sometimes touching.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Read!, October 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sheikh and the Dustbin (Paperback)

This book should "hit home" with any Army veteran, young or old, British or American, that was ever garrisoned overseas in peacetime.