Rating: 
Summary: A hugely enjoyable yet learned romp through the 19th C
Review: I have to agree with an earlier reviewer who described George Macdonald Fraser as one of the best writers of the late 20th century - yet you do not want to get too precious when describing the Flashman novels because above all else, they are bloody good fun.This first novel, which describes Flashman's entry into adulthood after expulsion from Rugby school for being found inhebriated in a wheelbarrow, scorches along at a tremendous pace, immersing you in the nineteenth century world, with all its blemishes and contradictions. It will lead you to a war in Afghanistan that I would imagine 99% of readers would not have formerly known about (I certainly didn't), but you will never forget the characters he meets, most of whom actually existed. I admit to a certain wry smile when I see items on the news about Afghanistan nowadays, what with the mujahedin and the Taliban, when I think of what their ancestors did to the British Army all those years ago. I heard George Macdonald Fraser comment recently that when this novel was originally released, certain American critics mistook it for a genuine memoir and acclaimed it as a historical find of genuine importance. In some ways this was an understandable mistake as most of the truly outrageous incidents in the book actually happened and the fictional embellishments are skillfully woven around these. If you have not yet read any of the Flashman Papers, buy or steal a copy, give any PC sensibilities a week off and enter the wonderful world of Harry Flashman, gentleman, bounder, cad, adventurer, philanderer and studious observer of the underbelly of the Victorian world.
Rating: 
Summary: One Star Too Many!
Review: I have two regrets. One, that I wasted hard-earned money on a book that I cannot even finish reading. Two, that I am required to give this book even one star. I understood a "rogue" to be a "mischievous person." The character "Harry Flashman" is pond scum. In particular, I do not find the beating of women humorous or entertaining. The best thing I can do with this book is recycle the paper. The best thing you can do is find a different author.
Rating: 
Summary: A less than honorable Indiana Jones
Review: I liked this book regardless of the myriad offenses it contains. "Flashman" offers a wild ride from beginning to end. However, it must be read with a sense of humor. Throw aside political correctness and laugh. Flashman, following expulsion from school for drunkenness, enters the military. Following a shotgun wedding, he is sent to India where he expects to make the best of it with a concubine and an adequate number of servants to see to his comfort. His posh assignment crumbles quickly as he is further transfered to the wilds of 19th century Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he survives incompetent military superiors, snakes, the elements, ambushes, torture, a vengeful woman, and most amazingly, himself. He is everything he admits to being -- a drunk, a rogue, a lecher, a bigot, etc. The book is chock full of every vice and evil imaginable. Flashman uses and abuses (even rapes) women. His "heroism" is really misinterpreted cowardice. He thumbs his nose at God and country and leaves women and children to die. Nothing admirable here. Every other paragraph contains a new form of violence. But, again, read the book with sensitivity pushed to the side and you will see the irony. This book can be laugh-out-loud funny if the reader wants to see it that way. The first of a series, I'll probably read another Flashman book when another change of pace is needed.
Rating: 
Summary: A hero posing as a scoundrel
Review: I picked this up as perhaps the first in a series of racy reads, but it's author (meaning Fraser not Flashman) is too reticently victorian in attitude. The story is risque and winking rather than ribald. Flashman reports how bad he is, but it's mostly words. He casts himself as a coward, but in fact is the only guy on all the scenes of critical events (even if he fled there). There seems to be some accurate history here (footnotes even), the generals are so quakingly incompetent they must be real, and the epidemic warlordism still rings true. I won't read more Flashman because life is short and this text is so smarmy, racist, and pointlessly offensive.
Rating:
Summary: Unusual(the hero is an anti-hero), entertaining, ribald tale
Review: I picked up the audio version of this book at the library and found I was forced to listen to one tape after another, I just couldn't stop listening. As other reviewers have noted it is, for modern times, a politically incorrect tale with racial and sexual descriptions, language and actions that will offend some. But on the whole it comes off very well, especially when considering that the 'hero' is really an anti-hero. And that his thoughts and actions can be viewed as a parody of the self-serving, self-interested and self-promoting individual (or something like that). Anyway, it is a worthwhile, entertaining story and the reading (of the audio version) by West is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Unusual(the hero is an anti-hero), entertaining, ribald tale
Review: I picked up the audio version of this book at the library and found I was forced to listen to one tape after another, I just couldn't stop listening. As other reviewers have noted it is, for modern times, a politically incorrect tale with racial and sexual descriptions, language and actions that will offend some. But on the whole it comes off very well, especially when considering that the 'hero' is really an anti-hero. And that his thoughts and actions can be viewed as a parody of the self-serving, self-interested and self-promoting individual (or something like that). Anyway, it is a worthwhile, entertaining story and the reading (of the audio version) by West is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Historical Fiction Chock Full O' Satire & Dark Humor!
Review: I read this book as a lark because it looked like neat subject matter. Little did I know how incredibly hilarious it would be! It's hard to find good fiction from the viewpoint of a villain type, but Harry Flashman takes the cake (with a barrel of laughs, to boot!) as we follow him throughout the military campaigns of the 19th cent. British Empire, cheating and whoring his way past Victorian sensibilities. Those who are easily offended by "white majority male chauvinism" circa mid-1800's might want to steer clear, though. For the more light-hearted, get ready for some laughs!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent series opener
Review: I stumbled across this book in the local library. The pages were yellowed. I picked it up and read a couple of pages. I immediately knew I wanted to read it. And it was not a mistake. I read it from cover to cover in one night. The story is nonstop action. Flashman gets himself involved in all the disasters of his time. The historical accuracy is excellent. Anyone that enjoys reading adventure stories about the period should read this book
Rating:
Summary: A Little Different Opinion
Review: I was so excited about reading this book. All of the other reviews give it so much praise. Plus, it seems like a book I would like; I love historical novels, have a good sense of humor, love adventures, and am always drawn to a good satire. Unfortunately, nothing about this novel lived up to my expectations. This novel follows Flashman through his adventures with the British Army during their Afghanistan War. My problem with the novel is based solely on the character Flashman, but that's a big problem since these are his memoirs. As all of the other reviews point out, Flashman is a total rogue. He is a coward, he's dishonest, he is a murderer, a rapist, an adulterer, a theif, etc. You name a bad trait, and Flashman excels at it, and he always gets away with it. That is where I differ in opinion with everyone else about this book. When Flashman rapes a woman, I'm afraid I have problems laughing when he gets away with it. I always wanted him to be caught, and given what he deserves. The fact that I could feel no sympathy for the main character (protagonist???) just ruined the novel for me, and I'm astonished that so many people just love this novel. I guess Flashman's behavior is supposed to be something of a satire over the male's behavior of the 19th century, but there isn't much depth to the satire (and less in Flashman's characterization). I know that a lot of people have obviously found a lot to enjoy in this novel, I can't think of anyone that I would recommend Flashman to (not even my enemies).
Rating:
Summary: Four stars because the later books are even better!
Review: I've been reading the Flashman books for close on two decades now, after learning about them in an interview with Richard Lester (who directed the disappointing movie version of Royal Flash). I can say with certainty that George MacDonald Fraser significantly influenced not only my writing style but also the way I view the world. Fraser taught me to reject sugar coatings, mindless patriotism, and deification of historical figures, and to look at past events with a new and critical eye. Note that most heroes ARE anti-heroes to some degree; they just had friendly biographers to hide their flaws. The genius of the Flashman series is that the heroic/mythic veneer is stripped away to reveal the human underneath. (Flashy, of course, takes roguishness to an outrageous degree, which is a major reason why the series is so funny, though sometimes the laughter is shocked laughter.) As for the writing, well... IMHO, Fraser is one of the best writers of the late 20th century. Nobody does battle scenes as well as he does. No one explains political motivations as well. Nobody makes history more palatable or weaves it into the story so naturally. And there are few characters as well drawn as Flashy, who is strangely likable despite his behavior. For the record, I'm a woman, and I don't have any problem with the depiction of women in this and the other books. It's fiction, and Flashy's behavior has to be taken in the context of the times. (Frankly, if he'd behaved like, say, the wholly unbelievable folk who populated the historical travesty that was Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, I'd've been bored stiff after three pages.) So read this first book to familiarize yourself with the character, but know that it isn't the best-written of the series. Fraser really settles in with Flashy's voice in the second book, Royal Flash, and just gets better from there!
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