Flashman (and the Alternatives) by George MacDonald Fraser

In which I talk about George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman novels.
I also suggest some Altenatives in case the Colonialism and Sexual Politics of the novels are found upsetting.

This is also an announcement for the FlashmanAlternatives tag
1. There are 12 Flashman books.
2. Read the books (or just the synopses)
3. Suggest some alternative reading for each book

I tag @anotherbibliophilereads (Good Luck)

Also @saintdonoghue because he says he never gets tagged

Time Codes:
00:10 - Intro
05:45 - FlashmanAlternatives tag
07:04 - Flashman
08:55 - Royal Flash
10:39 - Flash for Freedom!
13:20 - Flashman at the Charge
17:33 - Flashman in the Great Game
18:55 - Flashman's Lady Madagascar
19:57 - Flashman and the Redskins
21:59 - Flashman and the Dragon
23:20 - Flashman and the Mountain of Light
24:44 - Flashman and the Angel of the Lord
25:18 - Flashman and the Tiger
27:21 - Flashman and the Civil War? (the missing Flashman book)
28:48 - Flashman on the March

Books Mentioned:

#booktube #flashman #FlashmanAltenatives #victorianhistory #britishempire #bookrecommendations

[Culbokie_croft]

I wish GMF had lived an extra 100 years and completed the series.

[williammatthews]

The Flashman books are wonderful reads. Flashy is a lovable rogue who is almost as good at getting out of trouble as he is at getting into it. The day GMF found his memoirs was a great day for those who love history and vivid characters in well told tales. Thanks for the alternative suggestions.

[Vulpatron]

Awesome stuff! Managed to bag myself a signed copy of Flashman on the March and named the dog Flashman for better or worse

[joelcowan]

Not to mention Flashman's brief appearance (circa 1915) in "Mr. American".

[mattc]

Really enjoyed this, been a while since I read the flashman books, will have to revisit them now. Appreciate the suggested readings as well.

[krisinsaigon]

The story I heard was that he had never intended to tell the story of Flashman in the American Civil War because he was more interested in telling stories from British history.

There is actually a fan fiction version of that story available online, though not written by the great man

[martinidry]

Small correction. Flashy appears in a completely different book by Fraser, outside the Flashman series, Mr. American" covering 1913-14 in several evocative scenes involving in one, hus disapproving great-grandaughter.

Also, there's a pointed reference to Flashman being in the 1900 siege of the Peking legations.

Fraser also covered Flashy's father during the Regency period in the novel "Black Ajax."

The only mention Fraser, repeatedly, cites in the footnotes, Patrick Macrory's "Signal Catastrophe" and Lady Florentia Sale's journal. I've read them both and with Sir John Fortesue's History of the British Army.

"The African" was outright plagiarised by Haley, and his publisher paid out to the outraged author an undisclosed sum out of court to obliterate the scandal.

Seacole charged all who used her services. She's been outrageously elevated during Blair's premiership. It's died down quietly as the years have gone by, but no apology about the outrageous lies told for an evil ideology prevalent in the West to this day.

[richardpniewski]

He mentions the books about the Crimean war as depicted in Flashman at the Charge, but I actually would like to read more about the second half of the novel when he is making his way through the near east

[GregWampler-xmhv]

Flashy is TITS. Frankly I came to have respect for the Brits, especially in the era of "Empire". Maybe it's because I relate to someone who may have an uncovered part of his life but is utterly honest with himself.

A fantastic way to learn history. 1 of 3 books that hooked me with the first line. I actually was turned on to it with Royal Flash.

[Ailsworth]

Oh there was no mention of Flashman's appearance in "Mr American!"

[munichbier]

I’d personally like to read more about Flashman’s foreign legion time. It could almost write itself as the elements are all there for a great book.

[seedsman]

My favourite thing. Bloody fabulous capers by Flashy.

[olwens]

Found your comments on Pride and Prejudice- and now I find you've commented on another favourite series of books. Speaking as a woman I'm pretty sure I'd have...enjoyed.. knowing Flashman, but then I am a child of the 60s/70s and rather miss the days when men were unmistakeably male. We could do with a bit of swashbuckling and even a few cads.

[jamesfrederick.]

Does any one know of any even more offensive book series like flash man, I personally have read so much books that anti hero’s doing vile things that are hopefully as unpredictable as possible is all I want to read personally “the dirtier and darker the better I say!”

[paulthomson]

They are extremely readable books and often hilarious accounts of real historical events via Flashmans' keen observations and warped perspectives.

[stevenkimsey]

Flashman is definitely my favorite in the likeable rogue genre of books but I have a few others that are close in the competition. Charlie Mortdecai is a GREAT character in the series of books by Kyril Bonfiglioli.
All of the Lovejoy books by Jonathan Gash are great.
I actively seek out books and characters in this genre and fortunately just found the Fenwick Travers series by Raymond M. Saunders.

[colinhanaghan]

Has anyone read any of the "other" Flashman novels by Robert Brightwell? I've seen references to them, but cannot get a hold of any of them. I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. I have everything by GMF, and wondered if these others are worthwhile.

[JohnM-cdou]

I really appreciate this video and the tag is a great idea

[jimmillman]

I don’t normally watch this kind of video but this is very good. I’ve read the first two Flashman novels and this definitely makes me want to read more.

[williammatthews]

By the way, I appreciated the reference to the Flash Gordon movie.