Customer Reviews
Damned spanking read, thank'ee. - By: J. Mackle, 15 Oct 2008 
This was the first of the Flashman books that I read, & I bought it expecting to be disappointed. Well, I wasn't. It was very enjoyable and, although I had expected a whole lot more humour, there were a few laugh-out-loud moments. It's true there are some shockingly awful scenes in it: kicking one's batman, thrashing the natives & having it away with a fellow officer's wife just ain't the behaviour of a gentleman, but even they'll make you smile unless you're a complete prude. It's a splendidly well written story & the whole things hangs together, even if it is asking a bit much of the reader to believe in the several strokes of luck that the hero enjoys.
Now I'm off to read the next in the series.
Rascist!!! Historic!!! Shocking!!! A Funny and fantastic romp through our glorious empire - By: Mr England, 08 Sep 2008 
An outstanding novel told through the eyes of Harry Flashman, a rascist, cowardly, womanising cheat that joins the Briish empire(age 17), during the early reign of Victoria, after bedding his fathers mistress. This is a masterpiece & very very funny & UN-POLITICALLY CORRECT with words like N..... to describe, well, anyone that isnt white. He is a self confessed coward & womaniser. He avoids trouble like the plague but always ends up in deep trouble e.g having a tug o war with a dwarf where the loser gets pulled into a hole in the ground full of poisonous snakes whilst his evil Afghan captures look on with smiles, its pure genious. The writting style is very easy to read & told with humour & dis-honour. Flashman is the anti-hero, but of course always takes the credit for others bravery, whilst trying to bed their wives. The book is designed to be a good laugh & entertain you, but it also educational on our empire also. A true masterpiece. Be warned: You will have no choice but to buy the entire series.
Flashman series in order:
Flashman
Royal Flash
Flashman's Lady
Flashman & the Mountain of Light
Flash for Freedom
Flashman & the Redskins
Flashman at the Charge
Flashman & the Great Game
Flashman & the Angel of the Lord
Flashman & the Dragon
Flashman on the March
Flashman & the Tiger
what a wasted potential - By: Di20, 05 Sep 2008 
Everything seems right in this book: excellent storytelling, rich imagination, lively dialogues, interesting historic setting...yet there was one flaw for me that spoilt it alll: Flashman.
I have always loved anti-heroes & there are ways & ways of being an anti-hero, but this is NOT one of them. I expected a charming adventurer like Corto Maltese & instead, I found that Flashman is a proud rapist, racist, coward. I am not saying that alll protagonists should have values, quite the contrary. But as I would never sit down & listen to someone boasting about raping teenage slave girls & beating natives for no reason or girls if they won't sleep with him, I refuse to read this guy's stories. His character annoyed me so much that I could not accept it even as poetic license.
It's a shame, for a book with so much potential.
Believe the hype. - By: Daniel Shingleton, 18 Aug 2008 I'd heard of the legendary Flashman, & thought I'd give this book a whirl just to see what the fuss was about. Glad I did, it's excellent.
Romp through parallel history. - By: Nikolai Kulow, 24 Jun 2008 The fact that Flashman turns up at every major milepost of Victorian British Empire, gallloping his ladies & fleeing danger at every opportunity, suggests something of a farce. This author, however is an impeccable writer - he does what other writers struggle to achieve. Subtle, seamless, superb storytelling & then of course the most difficult skill - comedy.
You will read this book & you will laugh out loud, again & again. I myself havent laughed like this reading a book since Martin Amis' Money. Its such a highly entertaining series that it reallly is a pity there isnt more. This author should have been more famous & given more accolades.
Read this book!
