Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: George MacDonald Fraser
Released: 1969
Notable Works: Royal Flash

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George MacDonald Fraser opens Flashman noting that he found memoirs of the late and great Harry Flashman in a sale during the mid 1960's. He has now preceded to edit them so the whole world can bear witness to the life of one of Britain's greatest heroes. Of course, this is bogus, but the story is wonderfully crafted and the subsequent story is absolutely brilliant.

I've always been told to not judge a book by it's covers. Had I done this, I would have expected only a good book, for any book that features frontal nudity has to have to have something going for it nowadays, unless it features Janet Jackson. What I discovered, was a fantastically crafted story that weaves Britain's involvement in Afghanistan in the 1840's. The great thing about this story is that the protagonist is an absolute coward, but seems to have a gift to come out on top.

By the end of the book, I felt sorry for Flashman for this man seems to have been given a terrible lot in life, but for him, it is certainly better than being a dead hero. Overall, this is a great book. Flashman is definitely siding away from being politically correct, but I think if it had, the book would not have its charm. I cringed at some of his racial remarks, but this book is based in the 1840's when slavery was still accepted in large parts of the world. I give this book 5 galaxies. Be sure to check out the other books in the series, I just finished Royal Flash and is easily as great as the first.