Inspirational Writers: George MacDonald Fraser

In my second review video of books, I thought it would be good to talk about a writer who hugely influenced my writing: George MacDonald Fraser, whose Flashman series was, for me, essential reading, but his work and life were inspirational for me. Here I speak about why he was so important.

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Disclaimer - I have not been paid or rewarded for making this video.
Cheers for now!
Mike

[ulrikschackmeyer]

Very good indeed. I read 3-5 Flashman books in my youth/teens in Denmark. But I had no idea that he had written so many. I'm trying my hand at a Scandinavian historical novel myself, so it's off to the library. We're good programme. Thank you.

[CamusCombat]

I discovered the first Flashman in my 20's. Stunned by its enthralling prose, erudition, wit, humor, anarchic frantic sex bits (too un-PC now), I haunted bookstores for every new volume. Sadly, time and circumstance prevented Flashman In The Civil War. Sadly also, only one was made a movie. I gave my nephew several. He's buying the rest. Every intelligent young man should read them.

[ginojaco]

GMF was a star and a man of character, honesty and intelligence, a superb historian and writer.

The Flashman books are works of genius and a sound base for any student of 19th Century history.

[stevesandford]

What has always surprised me as an avid Flashman fan, was how sympathetic he very often was! A cad, a coward, a cheat and even a racist, a bounder, a rapist and a philanderer... And yet? Despite oneself, you were almost always on his side. I remember feeling quite sorry for Flashman when it was hinted that his feather-headed (or not) wife Elsbeth was not perhaps the most chaste or faithful of spouses! That aside, you correctly point out that in almost every book, the history and historical characters are meticulously researched and indeed add to an historians understanding of those same campaigns and characters. Your appreciation of his other works is also spot on, Sir, and at the risk of seeming forward, I might suggest that 'McAuslan' is best pronounced to rhyme with 'McHouseland'! I am finding these short appreciations of yours most insightful and informative, (Clavell, Forsythe, Mortimer) though I rather think you over-estimate the skills of Mr Wilbur Smith. It does not surprise me, having enjoyed a number of your own books, that you seem to credit that character combined with story/plot is really all a writer needs. Can I also compliment you on a most conversational and friendly presentational style which reminds me of a Don or lecturer 'kicking back' over a glass of sherry/whisky in a tutorial setting. I'm glad to have come upon these posts, Sir and I thank you. xx SF

[battybibliophile-Clare]

I love this series of videos on writers that have influenced you. Strangely, I have read all your books, but also books by all three writers you have dealt with.

[FlashmansStudy]

I love the layers of Flashman and Fraser really brings the history to life. I’ve read up on lots of topics because of Flashman I would never have found. The writing process behind Flashman was also amazing. You love and hate Flashy!

[Thepourdeuxchanson]

The McAuslan canon made me laugh so much I nearly threw up, and Quartered Safe Out Here closely reflected the experience in Burma of a couple of old Cumbrian men I knew. Simply marvellous stuff.

[sicilianeye]

I LOVED Flashman! I've always wondered why the Papers never made it to the silver screen.

[purestilton]

Oh GMF is one of my favourite all time writers. Flashman is pure joy.

[DrPangloss]

One book by G.M.F. that deserves a mention is "Mr American" which also gives an insight to Harry Flashman's later life, not mentioned in the Flashman papers. Worth a read if you can pick up a copy.

[timjohnson]

Long live GMF! He's a favourite of mine and Flashman has given me great pleasure. He has made some great adventures and woven them wonderfully in with history. I first got exposure to Flashman when I was a teenager stealing my Dad's Playboys back in the 60s. At that time I thought Flashman was real and the stories were gripping and I couldn't get enough of them. I've read the series more than once and lament there aren't more. If you're a fan you should check out "The last will and testament of George Macdonald Fraser" (I think). Published after his death. An interesting commentary of present times and the silliness of Politically Correct. RIP George.

[williampowell]

He wrote the screenplay of 1974's "The Three Musketeers."

[tbone]

Flashman is obviously a deplorable rogue, but he is also very funny and witty. He's also very intelligent and seems to have a good grip on the affairs of his day. I love these books.

[DAGDRUM]

Superbly entertaining video, but I kept waiting for you to flash (action verb) your
edition of The Pyrates. Two weeks ago I dropped a princely sum for a hardback
copy just so I could frame Barbosa's brilliant cover painting, rendered in acrylics
instead of his usual oil paints. I collect various imprints of the Flashman series
and was drooling at the sight of your pristine Pan collection. Initially I wanted
a complete set with Gino D'Achille covers, I have seven of those, but suddenly
Barbosa's wraparound covers dazzled me so I dropped over a hundred bucks
to get all of them. A couple were slightly tattered so I repurchased new copies!
I acquired a Signet paperback of Flash For Freedom! with a Frank Frazetta cover
in the early eighties and didn't get around to reading it until 2012. Immediately
I bought all 12 (I don't consider Mr. American one of the series even if Flashy
makes an appearance in it) and read half of them in short order, burned out on
Fraser's formula and only recently finished the six I hadn't read. I thought the
last one (March) would suck because poor Fraser was a bad alcoholic toward
the end of his life, but was pleasantly surprised. It reversed his formula of jump
starting the narrative from page one and began slowly working up to a feverish
pitch. All in all I found Flashman on the March top hole, as I did the prior Tiger.
The lead novella, The Road to Charing Cross, I found to be one of Sir Harry's
most incredible adventures and some of Fraser's best wordsmithing. Did you
know the story Flashman and the Tiger was serialized in the Daily Express in
five parts from late September through October 1975?

[CamusCombat]

Nephew (Ph.D.) "I never knew how much I didn't know. Thanks, Uncle Rich."

[caomhan]

Thank you for this. I've been on a major "Great Game" kick of late, and a few of the Flashman books are on my list. They've always been on my radar but I've never got around to reading them. Quartered Safe Out Here sounds good. I have to be in a certain mood to read war memoirs, though.

[battybibliophile-Clare]

I'm still rereading your books in conjunction with history, by others or recommended by you in your author's notes. I'm on "Belladonna of Belstone, a fascinating book. You said it was controversial, I'd I can see why, but as it's based on your research, as always, no problem for me. By the way, I really am loving rereading your books.

[senor]

What was the author’s connection to Leicestershire? He mentions Leicestershire a lot in the Flashman series

[tbone]

Flashman concedes that he was beastly drunk. His bone of contention is that Brown claims that he deliberately poured beer on top of gin punch, which he didn't; he was too drunk to realise what he was doing.

[glennboyd]

I first read Flashman when I was sixteen years old and was instantly hooked. I went on to read much of the series before picking up the astonishing, unforgettable Quartered Safe Out Here. I found it at first annoying - the Cumbrian dialect was rather off-putting before being hooked. His descriptions of those supposedly "ordinary" men I found extraordinary. He rightly called then "matchless" and their courage, comradeship and humour in the face of a terrifying and remorseless enemy is simply breath-taking. Mr McDonald Fraser reported these soldiers were not "professionals", instead they were "experts" at waging war against a "No-Prisoners" opponent. They were the Forgotten Army who, late in the day, were given the testament they richly deserved! A Magnificent book by an author at the height of his powers.
ps: I have two much-loved, rather well-worn and tattered copies: A first edition and a later edition with a welcome update on his comrades in arms.
pps: The same writer also penned Black Ajax which is well worth reading.