It has been a few years since I have read any of the Flashman series (I
like them, but find I can only take Flashman in small doses), but I
remember thinking that they were solid examples of historical fiction,
although of course you're seeing everything and everybody through the
rather peculiar eyes of Flashman. I remember being impressed that in the
novel set during the Crimean War, Fraser describes not only the infamous
Charge of the Light Brigade, but the largely forgotten charge of the
Heavy Brigade, as well. I am curious what others think about the
accuracy of Fraser's historical background in this series.
I would like to recommend some lesser-known works by Fraser, three
volumes of short stories set in a Highland Regiment in the years
immediately following the end of WWII. These are: _The General Danced at
Dawn_, McAuslin in the Rough_, and _Sheikh and the Dustbin_. Some of
these stories are absolutely hilarious. Sadly, as far as I know only the
first was ever published in the U.S., although at least two years ago all
were available in paperback in Britain.
Fraser has written one historical monograph, _The Steel Bonnets: The
Story of the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers_, which I recently purchased
but have not yet found time to read.
Michael Weaver
University of Texas-Pan American
MWC67f@panam.edu