Flashman at the Charge (Paperback)

Unintentionally, Flashman gets involved in two battles and crosses a large stretch of the Asian continent in between. Especially, after the current doubt regarding the justification of the war on Iraq, Fraser's analysis of the political process preceding the Crimean war shows you that times and situations may change, but that Nietzsche's "eternal return of the same" still is history's greatest lesson. Undoubtedly due to Fraser's personal battle experience, his description of both battle scenes puts the reader in the middle of the action in a way few movies have been able to match.

To someone uninitiated to the history of the Asian continent during the 19th century it was really interesting to read to what extent current political skirmishes find their origin in British and Russian colonialism. Especially the final part of the book teaches some important lessons of how deeply rooted the idea of Jihad is in parts of central Asia.

Other reviewers have commented that the portrayal of Flashman as "the toad that shagged me" may help sell the book, but detracts from the excellent history writing. I beg to differ. By keeping his "hero" a flawed but very likable survivor and having him participate in and comment upon the British colonial wars, Fraser really turns history into a first person experience. Since I think it is unlikely to be included in any military history of post-second-world-war Europe, I may add that the largest brothel I ever saw in my life was in Wiesbaden, Germany, right next door to a major American military base. Thus, these "distracting" aspects of Flashman's personal life may also be dead on. Moreover, following the Flashman character chronologically, Fraser gives this larger than life character his own brand of character development into a fully three-dimensional person.

In all, another solid 5-star read, too bad there are only four more volumes left, but who knows, Fraser may still serve us with an encore

The premise of these novels is that the "Flashman Papers" were discovered in a Leicestershire attic in 1965. In them, the English soldier and adventurer, Harry Flashman, recounts his adventures throughout the British Empire during the latter half of the nineteenth century. They are helpfully "notated" by the "editor," George MacDonald Fraser, who occasionally comments upon the authenticity of Flashman's recollections. And what do you know! Flashman just happens to have been present at just about every single major military event in English history of these times! Lucky us!

In this one, Flashman recounts his experiences leading up to and at the famous Charge of the Light Brigade in the Russian Crimea in 1854. He is subsequently captured by the Russians, escapes, is captured again, escapes again, and with the help of Tajiks and Kazhaks, battles the Russians and makes his way to British-controlled India. Believe me, this is just as fun as it sounds, but what takes it to the highest, most delightful level is the sheer narrative force of Fraser's Flashman, unquestionably one of the most enjoyable narrators ever created.

As well as being reliable and honest--qualities a reader hopes at the very least to get in a first person narrative--he is also extremely intelligent, witty, funny, and very, very opinionated. Thus, in describing the Russian peasantry, we don't get a carefully-worded, afraid-to-offend, cautious assessment, we get this: ". . . this dull clown was just standing and letting himself be caned by a fellow half his size, hardly even wincing under the blows. There was a little crowd of serfs looking on, ugly, dirty-looking rascals in hairy blue smocks and rough trousers, with their women and a few ragged brats--and they were just watching, like cowed, stupid brutes." You may wince at his less than diplomatic commentary, but you may be sure you are getting the truth unvarnished, told as only the indefatigable Flashy can do.

These novels are also historically accurate, and meticulously researched even to the tiniest detail. From the lay of the land on a battlefield, to a description of the Russian steppes; from the uniforms worn by various regiments of various armies, to the weapons and ordnance available to each; from the subtle nuances inherent in the languages he encounters in central Asia, to the slang routinely used by Englishmen; it is clear that Mr. Fraser has a unique and thorough understanding of England and the British Empire in the nineteenth century. In fact, it is impossible to believe that there might be another living human being who knows more. The reader gets the sense that he is in the hands of a master; there is nothing here which strains credibility.

In fact, Mr. Fraser has us so firmly in his stead that the romantic elements strewn liberally throughout these novels barely raise an eyebrow. Thus, the scenes when Flashman is chased by wolves over the snowy steppe in a rickety sleigh, or thrown into a dungeon and threatened with the vilest torture, come across as believable and exciting, rather than foolish or cartoonish. And yes, yes, there are dalliances with beautiful women, but what kind of an adventure/romance would this be without them?

In short, the Flashman novels provide everything the lover historical fiction dreams of: exciting and historically accurate plots, careful attention to detail, a thorough knowledge of the subject matter, and, perhaps most importantly, a witty and delightful guide to show us the way. Bravo, Mr. Fraser. Bravo.

Another reviewer hits on the only problem in this book: the number of locales strains against the bonds of credulity. Flashman, dispatched to fight in the Crimean War, is basically involved in an entirely different story by the end of the book. I really would've liked to see a little more of the Charge of the Light Brigade and less of Russia.

But Fraser does such a great job of painting these historical scenes and Flashy is just so entertaining, that I can't give this book any less than 4 1/2 stars. Since Amazon doesn't offer that feature, there's really no problem in rounding up to 5.