The Flashman Papers: The Complete 12-Book Collection

Flashman Papers #1-12

by George MacDonald Fraser

George MacDonald Fraser’s uproarious bestselling Flashman series, now available in one complete ebook for the first time.

THE COMPLETE FLASHMAN PAPERS is the entire collection of Flashman’s perilous missions across the world. Spanning from 1839 right through to 1894 the incorrigible Flashman fears all evil and when it comes to voluptuous queens and princesses he has be known to waver from his mission. Filled to the gunnels with escapades of unwavering excitement THE COMPLETE FLASHMAN PAPERS will quench even the most ravenous appetite for Flashman.

Genres: Fiction

4556 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2013

About the author

George MacDonald Fraser is best known for his Flashman series of historical novels, purportedly written by Harry Flashman, a fictional coward and bully originally created by Thomas Hughes in Tom Brown's School Days. The novels are presented as "packets" of memoirs written by the nonagenarian Flashman, who looks back on his days as a hero of the British Army during the 19th century. The series begins with Flashman, and is notable for the accuracy of the historical settings and praise from critics. P.G. Wodehouse said of Flashman, “If ever there was a time when I felt that ‘watcher-of-the-skies-when-a-new-planet’ stuff, it was when I read the first Flashman.”

Reviews

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flashman var rolig när jag var 20-25, men nu känns den jämförelsevis platt. Det är absolut inte dåliga historier, men översexualiserade och med lite för mycket falsk ödmjukhet. Läsvärda om man inte har läst dem, och t.ex. historien om James Brooke var fantastisk, så det är verkligen inte bara halvdana historier, men de har inte ett omläsningsvärde.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Harry Paget Flashman, Victoria Cross, Order of the Bath, Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire, was born in 1822 into a humble family, albeit not without means. Already in his early days at the famous Rugby School, he developed his characteristic traits: cowardice, treachery, complete lack of any integrity, lechery, but also linguistic and equestrian talents. Fate throws him around the world, and everywhere he finds himself, contrary to his own desires, deep in various whirlpools of the Victorian world. Between 1839 and 1894 he takes part in most famous and infamous events in the history of that time, including, for instance, the Charge of the Light Brigade, the Sepoy Mutiny, American Civil War, Little Bighorn, the Taiping Rebellion. He interacts personally with Queen Victoria, Disraeli, Wellington, Lincoln, Bismark and many other luminaries, and fornicates with hundreds of women (44 encounters are exposed in detail in his notes). Many times he is in mortal danger, but through treachery, cowardice and incredible luck he always emerges unscathed and is perceived as a hero.
Now, 90 years old, for the first time in his life, Flashman writes down a true story of his life. His papers were discovered after his passing in his desk by G.M. Fraser, who published it between 1969 and 2005 in 14 volumes. The book is truly hilarious and at the same time informs the reader a lot about the world history of this turbulent half-century, in a very entertaining way. 4 out of five.

[Richard Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating Overall/Genre (8.0/8.7) A highly ingenious fictional memoir of the school bully, Harry Flashman, from Tom Brown's School Days. Fraser inserts Flashman into many episodes in many countries, and Flashman lives up to his reputation: a coward, a sneak, a cad, a toady, a cheat, and a liar (did I mention thief?). He owns up to it all in his memoirs, without a single apology (well, maybe one).

In spite of his not-so-sterling attributes, or maybe because of them, Flashman consistently escapes mortal danger, has sex with any woman within target range, and accumulates a series of military decorations; he cleverly or otherwise leaves no witnesses to testify against him. In the process, he goes through several really hair-raising adventures, usually under protest, and by anybody's standards, with incredible luck.

Very enjoyable. I managed to read the entire series of 12 books with just a few pangs of conscience.

[Daniel Genis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best historical fiction I know

[Steve Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, sprawling saga by a talented writer. It was so much better then I had hoped for as this series was recommended by a friend. I don't really care much for "series" type books but this was some of the best escapism reading that I have ever encountered. It's truly amazing how close to actual history these stories are and he's such a lovable cad!! Poltroonery (to use his word) and false bravado, yet he always ends up a hero. haha You will not regret diving into these gems, I promise you.

[Joe Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Flashman is the complete antihero tripping over battlefields and bedrooms on his way to glory.
Hilarious, and educational. I recommend it to any who might wish to demonstrate to zinn lovers how to write good historical fiction.

[Robert Neenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatest collection of books I have ever read. Fun, irreverent, educational (history) and so much more.