Flashman at the Alamo

Adventures of Thomas Flashman #9

by Robert Brightwell

When other men might be looking forward to a well-earned retirement to enjoy their ill-gotten gains, Flashman finds himself once more facing overwhelming odds and ruthless enemies, while standing (reluctantly) shoulder to shoulder with some of America’s greatest heroes.

A trip abroad to avoid a scandal at home leaves him bored and restless. They say ‘the devil makes work for idle hands’ and Lucifer surpassed himself this time as Thomas is persuaded to visit the newly independent country of Texas. Little does he realise that this fledgling state is about to face its biggest challenge – one that will threaten its very existence.

Flashman joins the desperate fight of a new nation against a pitiless tyrant, who gives no quarter to those who stand against him. Drunkards, hunters, farmers, lawyers, adventurers and one English coward all come together to fight and win their liberty.

Genres: Historical Fiction

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

I am a firm believer in the maxim that history is stranger than fiction. There are countless times when I have come across a character or incident that has been so hard to believe that I have had to search out other sources for confirmation. Thomas Cochrane who features in my first book is one of those, his real life adventures seem ridiculously far fetched for a fictional character. The Begum of Samru from my second book is another: a fifteen-year-old nautch dancer who gained the confidence of an army, had a man literally kill himself over her and who led her soldiers with skill and courage, before becoming something of a Catholic saint.

History is full of amazing stories and in my books I try to do my bit to tell some of them. When I thought of a vehicle to do so, the Flashman series from George MacDonald Fraser came to mind. Most of what I know of the Victorian era was prompted by his books. The concept of a fictional character witnessing and participating in real historical events, while not unique, has rarely been done better.

George MacDonald Fraser was an exceptional writer and he developed a character that he took from Tom Brown's School Days into a truly legendary figure. While Harry Flashman might not have been a typical Victorian, he certainly brought the period to life. For me, the Regency/Napoleonic era was one of even greater colour and extremes and so I have created a new earlier member of the family: Thomas Flashman.

There are similarities between the generations in that they both have the uncanny knack of finding themselves in the hotspots of their time, often while endeavouring to avoid them. Thomas though is not exactly the same character as Harry Flashman, this is partly accidental and partly deliberate.

For example, Harry Flashman makes prolific use of the 'n' word which will never appear in my work. This is not just political correctness but reflects the different times the two fictional characters occupy. While Harry Flashman in India thrashed and abused the natives; in Thomas' time many British were in business with Indian partners or had Indian wives. The British Resident of Delhi went so far as to marry a harem of thirteen Indian women who used to parade around the city every evening on elephants.

As several reviewers have pointed out Thomas is not quite the vicious villainous rogue his nephew became, at least in the first book. But the character develops more in the subsequent books with increasing levels of skulduggery. The genius of George MacDonald Fraser was to create a spiteful bully that the reader could still relate to. I have tried to convey a character that lived in his time and who balanced cowardice, pride, lust etc with the need to bring the reader with him.

For more information, check out my website, www.robertbrightwell.com

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you have read my previous memoirs, you will know that most foreign travel invariably ends up with me in the thick of some military action or on the run from a bunch of murderous heathens, or both. How many times have I sworn vehemently on a stack of Bibles that I would never leave the shores of old Albion again? But on this occasion, it was staying at home that carried a risk, to my and Louisa’s reputation. In contrast, for once there did not seem any untoward danger in our journey."

But as always with our hero, one evasion leads to another, and eventually Thomas Flashman leaps right out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire. This time he becomes involved in a legal problem that could ruin him, so in 1835 he and his wife go abroad to America with the intention of visiting only until things cool off. In New York he gets involved with the Vanderbilt's in what was supposed to be just a simple trade deal in Goliad, Texas.

And that's all it was is until a Texian by the name of James Bowie learns of Flashy's military (and naval) expertise. Mr. Bowie basically shanghais Flashman into a trip to San Antonio to choose the best artillery to transfer from the Alamo back to defend the port supplying Goliad. It was merely supposed to be a quick and easy consulting job.

But in San Antonio Bowie learns that Santa Ana intends to march on the Alamo. So the guns have to stay there, and Flashman can't go back home yet because some local dignitaries have gone through great trouble to track down and invite his old friend from the War of 1812, John Norton, to a special get-together in San Antonio specially to see Flashy.

Before he knows it, Thomas Flashman ends up in the thick of the Texas Revolution. He's involved in every scrape from the Alamo to San Jacinto. He deals with plenty of tough situations from pitched battles to surviving massacres and, of course, comforting some lovely ladies. Plus he keeps some pretty good company with the likes of James Bowie, David Crockett, William Barrett Travis, James Fannin and Sam Houston.

Flashman's commentary is both hilarious and poignant. Robert Brightwell has again provided us with an exciting and informative read. Highly recommended.

[Gary · Rating 2 out of 5]

As usual with this series, the historical facts are right on. But the failure to mention so much background is deplorable.
1. The Americans were invited to settle in Texas to develop that part of MEXICO. Not to make a new nation or append it to the U.S.
2. They were allowed to buy land there with the provision that they do NOT bring their slaves. But they ignored this provision.
3. The tyranny of Santa Anna was to insist that they obey Mexican law against slavery.
4. Most of the "freedom fighters" for Texan independence were militia men from the U.S., not simple settlers.
5. Up until this novel, the series has avoided blinfdly supporting English imperialism. But it doesn't show any remorse about glorifying American imperialism.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting spinoff of George McDonald Fraser's FLASHMAN series. Thomas Flashman (an older relative of Harry Flashman) is a similar sort of rascally roué but his exploits include the War of 1812, etc. He ends up in the Texas War of Independence (1836) and escapes from the Alamo and Goliad/Coleto Creek, participates in the Runaway Scrape and the Battle of San Jacinto.

I could find little to quibble about historically, other than there being no "Yellow Rose of Texas", the mulatta who was said to have dallied with Santa Anna, the "Napoleon of the West", during siesta on April 21, 1835. Perhaps a more erudite Texas historian may find gaps in the author's narrative.

Amusing.

[Al Lock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book. Covers all the major battles of the Texas War of Independence that actually led to independence - Alam0, Goliad, San Jacinto. Flashman seems to be letting his anger and sense of righteousness overwhelm his natural cowardice in this one.

[Rip Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

pure enjoyment

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I’m from m the area and it was difficult to put Shia book down. I learned a few things about its colorful characters I did not know. Very intertwining

[Kevin Neese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Flashman at the Alamo. Spectacular, just like the rest. The best compliment I can give you, Sir, is to state that I'm not sure which series is better...Thomas Flashman or Harry Flashman

[Duncan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough

Very enjoyable read. If you're a Flashman fan you'll want to read all of this collection.
I'm on my fourth book now.

[DCT · Rating 4 out of 5]

good page turner

Nicely placed in a historical reality, rattling good yarn! Helped as a guide through an interesting era of the past

[Deryk Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic as always.

[John Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly this book should have been titled: Flashman in the Texas Revolution, but the Alamo makes it sing a little better, but the book covers just about all the major battles.
Poor Thomas Flashman happy in England, suddenly has to go on the run as it were, when he becomes involved in legal problem that could ruin him.
Instead what does Thomas do? He and his wife go abroad to America. In New York he gets involved with the Vanderbilt's, in what is seemly just a trade deal in Texas. That's what they all say in 1835.
Well you can guess what happens. Thomas left alone is asking for all kinds of trouble. From the Alamo, then the Goliad debacle, The Runaway Scrape to finally finding himself at San Jacinto with Sam Houston.
As he goes many characters such as : James Bowie, David Crockett, William Barrett Travis, James Fannin and a hosts of others real and fictional supply Flashman with lots of comments. A quick read for a member of the Alamo Society, but still interesting none the less.

[Barton Schindel · Rating 5 out of 5]

History can be entertaining

Another exciting and informative effort. Thomas Flashman once again manages to end up exactly where he doesn’t want to be. A simple trading mission results in him being thrust into the middle of the Texas war for independence with Mexico. There will be pitched battles, massacres and, of course, some lovely ladies needing comforting. In the midst of it all, the reader will also learn some solid history that they won’t likely have encountered in their school courses. Highly recommended.