Rating: 
Summary: Flashy¿s back! Lock up your women!
Review: Rogue, coward, lecher, egotist, scoundrel: There was never such a colorful and outrageous character as Harry Flashman in literature (real life, now, that's another story!). The newest of the cult favorite Flashman Victorian historical novels is cause for celebration: as before, the irrepressible George MacDonald Fraser has 'discovered' and 'edited' Flashman's reminisces of three of his astounding, wild, and wench-filled adventures: a rematch against Flashman's nemesis Otto Bismarck (from one of the best of the Flashman novels, 'Royal Flash,' itself a wicked parody of 'The Prisoner of Zenda'), a gambling scandal involving (more deeply than history tells us) the Prince of Wales, and the one Fraser's fans have been waiting for: the long-promised encounter with Colonel 'Tiger' Moran that casts a very different light on a certain arrogant Victorian detective and his toadying medical assistant. Copious historical color and personalities mix Flashman in with the real-life persons and events of the time (and Fraser's always witty, thorough footnotes point out just exactly what was going on in history at the time). I learn more from every Flashman novel about history and war than I ever did from a textbook, and it's from a man whose point of view I can't help but admire: a coward who knows how to take credit where credit isn't due, to never pass up a chance for an amorous interlude, and that the best way to stay alive is to be miles away when the shooting starts. Why four stars then, instead of five? The format--three novellas--is atypical for a Flashman adventure, and one that in my opinion made the book seem more like leftover pieces of Fraser's work than his intricate, elaborate full novels. For me, Flashy doesn't quite work as well in a shorter form: Fraser is a master of a long and involved historical adventure that builds and builds until it detonates into its cataclysmic conclusion, leaving no one unscathed except for Flashman, triumphant again. Even though we get three Flashman adventures, it paradoxically didn't seem enough. Flashman is larger than life and twice as lecherous; there's enough material in his history (and more important, Fraser's got the talent) to give us three different novels here. If you're new to Flashman, try another of the Fraser books first ("Royal Flash" is always a good start), and come back to this later. Still, there's more than enough fun and roguery here to satisfy all but the most finicky Flashman fanatics, and even a slightly lesser Flash is head and shoulders above the rest. Even though Flashman would know much better than to stick up his head--unless they're passing out the booze, of course...
Rating: 
Summary: More of the usual
Review: The Flashman books are always fun to read and this is no exception, but it is definitely not one of his best. I will at least say that this one is less self-consciously "full of good research" than some of them where the facts get in the way of the story (or perhaps it is more that Fraser does not wear his knowledge lightly). The main story about a plot against Franz-Josef's life really does hark back to Royal Flash, which I think is a real weakness. I found the whole plot rather far fetched even by Flashy's usual standards and why von Starnberg failed to kill him is really unbelievable. I do like his musings on the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but I felt that Hungarians surely were a bit happier after the establishment of the Dual Monarchy in 1866 so the reason for the plot seemed a little obscure to me. In short it was a bit of a rerun. The cheating at cards affair is really a little dull and only filler. The last story has the best bit about his adventures in the Zulu War, but I for one was disappointed that Fraser has now effectively ruined his chances of actually writing a good full-length Zulu Flashman which stood every chance of being a really good one. The Sherlock Holmes bit is marvellous vintage stuff, but very short and over soon. So for fans it will be fun, but not for first time readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Flashy at his worst is always best!
Review: There is nothing better than finding out unexpectedly that a new "Flashman" novel is available in the States. As a long time fan, I read this one as soon as I got it home and I was not disappointed. I won't spoil any of the surprised that await the reader, but suffice it to say that this is a very worthy book in its own right. Old fans...you will enjoy it. New fans...give it a read and then collect the rest of the series. THESE ARE BOOKS WHICH MUST NOT BE MISSED!
Rating:
Summary: Still Better Than the Other 99%
Review: This is book in the 11th Flashman series, and in it, Fraser offers a new look at the (mis)adventures of Sir Harry Flashman, a "celebrated Victorian soldier, scoundrel, amorist, and self-confessed poltroon." Unlike the previous books, it collects three unrelated stories of varied length in one volume. The first is a 228 page episode which starts with Flashman aiding and abetting some journalistic espionage at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. It ends with him once again hanging on for dear life while tangled in the weblike machinations of his old foe Otto von Bismark and an assassination attempt on old Emperor Franz-Joseph. It takes rather a long time to set up and indeed flags at the beginning, but by the end, where reversals pile atop eachother, it's worthy of any Flashman tale. The second tale explains a Victorian gambling scandal, and is reasonably diverting, if not action-packed. The final story places Flashman in the midst of the 1879 Zulu uprising and has him surviving the legendary battle at Roarke's Drift and then moves forward 15 years to London and a hilarious meeting with Sherlock Holmes. Unlike others, I think these stories make a good introduction to the series for the initiated.
Rating:
Summary: Still Better Than the Other 99%
Review: This is book in the 11th Flashman series, and in it, Fraser offers a new look at the (mis)adventures of Sir Harry Flashman, a "celebrated Victorian soldier, scoundrel, amorist, and self-confessed poltroon." Unlike the previous books, it collects three unrelated stories of varied length in one volume. The first is a 228 page episode which starts with Flashman aiding and abetting some journalistic espionage at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. It ends with him once again hanging on for dear life while tangled in the weblike machinations of his old foe Otto von Bismark and an assassination attempt on old Emperor Franz-Joseph. It takes rather a long time to set up and indeed flags at the beginning, but by the end, where reversals pile atop eachother, it's worthy of any Flashman tale. The second tale explains a Victorian gambling scandal, and is reasonably diverting, if not action-packed. The final story places Flashman in the midst of the 1879 Zulu uprising and has him surviving the legendary battle at Roarke's Drift and then moves forward 15 years to London and a hilarious meeting with Sherlock Holmes. Unlike others, I think these stories make a good introduction to the series for the initiated.
Rating:
Summary: A "must" for all Flashman fans!!
Review: This new Flashman story is particularly recommended for prior fans of the character who have long awaited a new contribution to the Flashman Papers. The memoirs of this Victorian soldier and scoundrel came to light thirty years ago; three new episodes in his career blend history with entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Good Flashman, not the best
Review: Were Sir Harry Flashman alive today he would doubtless be labelled a sociopath. Entirely self-centred, without conscience or care for others, he is a fascinating and entertaining character. His handsome looks ands silver tongue, his assiduous brown-nosing of his military and social superiors, and above all his fantastic good luck, bring him promotion, fame, honours and wealth. In his incredibly readable "memoirs" (Fraser maintains the fiction that he is but their "editor") Flashman recounts his experiences in an open and trenchant manner. If it happened between 1840 and 1900, and is in the history books, Flashman was there. His views on the great people and great events of the Nineteenth Century are a joy to read. In this book we do not have a narrative of one episode, but several shorter ones. They are as entertaining and informative as ever, but have a faint air of being "filler" and of going over old ground. One does not get one's teeth into the people and situations as one usually can. Nonetheless the book is well worth a read. The high spot for me was the brief encounter when Flashman crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes under most unusual circumstances. The great detective does not emerge with his reputation enhanced. Flashman devotees will need no urging to read this book. Beginners might be better with one of the novels. And I agree with the American reviewers: when are we to get the long-awaited volume dealing with Sir Harry's exploits in the Civil War? We know from his CV (resumé to Americans, I believe) that he manages to serve - a term no doubt applied loosely, knowing him - on both sides...
Rating:
Summary: Fraser whets our appetites again
Review: With "Flashman and the Tiger" GM Fraser brings his "master of trechery and lechery" back in fine form. I had a great time reading this book, which I had been anticipating for some time. Seeing the Zulu warrior on the cover I almost shouted "Egads! It's the Zulu War!" Sadly this was not to be. We get but fleeting glimpses (albeit fantastically fun glimpses) of that action in the last section of this book. Once again Fraser is whetting our appetites for the main course. He did the same thing in the last outing "Flashman and the Angel of the Lord", setting us up for Flashy's participation in the civil war. Here Fraser also gives us a glimpse into Flashman at Khartoum. So we die hard Flashman fans have three possible delicious dishes to look forward to. Will the next Flashman outting be the defense of Rorke's Drift(as I personally hope), the War Between the States, or Khartoum? We can only wait and see, but hopefully Mr. Fraser will serve the full delectable meal next time. In the interim "Flashman and the Tiger" is a delicious snack to tide us over.
Rating:
Summary: Great fun - but not his best.
Review: You cannot believe the excitement that gripped me when I heard that another Flashman Paper was coming out. I snapped up a hardback copy as soon as it bacame available. Fraser/Flashman contantly name-drops throughout the Flashman papers with the result that there are numourous future episodes keenly awaited by all Flashman devotees (Zulu & Civil wars to name but two). This batch of three stories were written as well as ever, fast paced, great character build-ups and thoroughly enjoyable adventure yarns. It seems harsh to criticise but this volume pales in comparison to its magnificent predecessors hence the low score. If I had not read the others it would have fared better. As metioned above they were, as ever, fantastic tales, it was especially nice to catch up with the Bismarck and Von Starnberg characters a la Royal Flash. I agree with another reviewer that the last story of the three did leave a slightly bad taste in my mouth I won't give anything away. The last two stories being the weakest of the entire Flashman series. In conclusion whatever anyone tells you if you've read the other Flashman books you will read and enjoy this one too. If you are a Flashman virgin (you won't be for long) definitley try to read them in their proper order leaving this effort until last. I just hope it's not the last.
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