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Flashman and the Dragon The Flashman Papers George MacDonald Fraser 9780006513032 Books

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Flashman and the Dragon The Flashman Papers George MacDonald Fraser 9780006513032 Books

The Flashman character has become so ubiquitous, and is so believable and the books so well researched that even professional historians have been tricked into believing that he is an historical character. This is a look at the British Empire at it's height from the viewpoint of a Victorian rogue from the class of gentleman (prior to the Rugby generation of "Manly Christians".) It's filled with racial slurs but I honestly find this preferable to books such as "Rhett's People" which turns a pirate, rogue and profiteer of the 19th century into a boring PC 21st century Huck Finn.

The trick is this. If you are offended by the attitude, remember that the past isn't now minus a few years, it was a different world. As I approach 6 decades I understand that we thought, talked and even walked and stood differently from people under say 40 of today. With every gain there is a loss. I live in a more tolerant world in SOME ways, but guns have become demonized, food quality is horrible, and there are way too many people, plus, the world used to be more beautiful. Even colours were more brilliant. Different atmosphere, sorry that you weren't there to see it. Accept this book as a looking glass back through time and that is rare.


Tags : Flashman and the Dragon (The Flashman Papers) [George MacDonald Fraser] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Celebrated Victorian bounder, cad, and lecher, Sir Harry Flashman, V.C., returns to play his (reluctant) part in the Taiping Rebellion in the eighth volume of the critically acclaimed Flashman Papers. Unfortunately in China in 1860 a lot of people were depending on Flashman: the English vicar's daughter with her cargo of opium; Lord Elgin; the Emperor's ravishing concubine; and Szu-Zhan,George MacDonald Fraser,Flashman and the Dragon (The Flashman Papers),Harpercollins Pub Ltd,0006513034,Historical fiction,Fiction

Flashman and the Dragon The Flashman Papers George MacDonald Fraser 9780006513032 Books Reviews

Our Victorian anti-hero Flashman gets posted to China circa 1860 where he manages to become involved in smuggling opium to Hong Kong, bedding a female river pirate, begging for his life in front of a ruthless warlord, and participating in the pillaging by fellow Europeans of Chinese art and culture. The endnotes are interesting and provide considerable historical authenticity. The book is somewhat darker than previous books in the series but it still contains considerable wit and humor and is worthwhile reading.
Flashman books are all a serious hoot. If you are unfamiliar with him start with the original book, “Flashman.” It would also help to brush up on your 19th Century history starting circa 1845. Highest recommendation.
I read in a Stars and Stripes article that former President Bush(the younger) read some of these books, so I was curious about them. I like the stories but coming from a woman's perspective, I'd like to kick Flashman in the @#$#@. He is as bad as the introductions to the stories say he is. The historical settings of the stories are great especially if you have a person who hates history, although they would learn some very bad habbits from this cad Flashman. I would suggest everyone read at least one out of the series, for a quick book that will cause a lot of "are you kidding me?s" and "I can't believe this guy!" Try it you'll like it. If you are a critic there are probably a hundred and one things to pick apart, but if you just want a quick humorous read, truly consider the Flashman series.
Our intrepid hero, Harry Flashman, is back for volume eight of the Flashman Papers, a narrative of the life and times of one of the most ne'er-do-well wastrels to ever grace the pages of a published autobiography.

The first five Flashman novels were presented in chronological order. This "packet", like its two immediate predecessors, acts to fill in a previous "gap" in the Flashman timeline. From a chronological standpoint, the adventures of this novel immediately follow those contained in Flashman and the Great Game, wherein we left Flashman in the wake of heroic deeds committed in the course of quelling the great Indian Mutiny. After a brief stint in British occupied Hong Kong, Harry believes himself to be on the verge of a return to merry old England and the bosom of his lovely wife Elspeth, only to be drafted into further military service as an intelligence officer in the service of a dangerous diplomatic adventure.

As in the previous Flashman novels, our Harry is revealed as the premier coward and opportunist of his era; faults which he quite willingly admits and even boasts of. Much as a prior day Forrest Gump, he has a way of finding himself among the most powerful and famous personages of his era, as he takes part in the great events of the period, in this case, first hand experience in the Taiping Rebellion and Opium Wars of the mid-19th century, including an audience with the Chinese Emperor.

Aside from uproarious fun and games, the Flashman series is set against historical events and actually serves as an educational experience. On to volume nine of the Flashman Papers.
This is one of Flashy's best adventures, though if you're put off by graphic violence and explicit sexual content, better not crack the cover. It takes place during a particularly sensitive political moment in China, and George Macdonald Fraser's satiric pen is never better when it comes to skewering colonial presumptuousness and buffoonery. But he isn't gentle with the colonized, or the would-be colonized, either. Sexism, racism, and nearly any other -ism you can think of are sent up with even-handed glee.

But the Flashman connoisseur knows not to read too many of these adventures too close together, any more than you'd eat a box of chocolate truffles all at once. Savor them, one by one, with much in between to clear the palate.
If you know Flashy, then you don't need this, if you are a stranger, you need to read this series. Mr. Fraser knows his dialogue and keeps the action moving. Harry Flashman is the ideal vehicle for the author to tell some of histories great moments, each researched with fine detail. If you enjoy the British empire period and perhaps Patrick O'Briens Aubrey series, then this is for you. I have no idea how I lived as long as I did without discovering these books earlier, but I'm glad to have found them. An unvarnished view of history from the eyes of a coward and rogue (though I'm not so sure many of us would behave much better under similar circumstances). These books are well written and accessible, and some of the most interesting parts are the footnotes at the end. You might go to sleep after a late night read wondering it Flash harry wasn't real after all, the history certainly is.
The Flashman character has become so ubiquitous, and is so believable and the books so well researched that even professional historians have been tricked into believing that he is an historical character. This is a look at the British Empire at it's height from the viewpoint of a Victorian rogue from the class of gentleman (prior to the Rugby generation of "Manly Christians".) It's filled with racial slurs but I honestly find this preferable to books such as "Rhett's People" which turns a pirate, rogue and profiteer of the 19th century into a boring PC 21st century Huck Finn.

The trick is this. If you are offended by the attitude, remember that the past isn't now minus a few years, it was a different world. As I approach 6 decades I understand that we thought, talked and even walked and stood differently from people under say 40 of today. With every gain there is a loss. I live in a more tolerant world in SOME ways, but guns have become demonized, food quality is horrible, and there are way too many people, plus, the world used to be more beautiful. Even colours were more brilliant. Different atmosphere, sorry that you weren't there to see it. Accept this book as a looking glass back through time and that is rare.