Rob Thompson

A fun adventure; despite the racism and sexism
Presented as the discovery of the supposedly historical Flashman Papers, this book chronicles the subsequent career of the bully Flashman from Tom Brown's School Days.

The book begins with a fictional note explaining that the Flashman Papers were discovered in 1965 during a sale of household furniture in Ashby, Leicestershire. The papers are attributed to Harry Paget Flashman, the bully featured in Thomas Hughes' novel, who becomes a well-known Victorian military hero (in Fraser's fictional England). The papers were supposedly written between 1900 and 1905. The subsequent publishing of these papers, of which Flashman is the first instalment, contrasts the public image of a (fictional) hero with his own more scandalous account of his life as an amoral and cowardly bully.

Flashman begins with the eponymous hero's own account of his expulsion from Rugby and ends with his fame as “the Hector of Afghanistan”. It details his life from 1839 to 1842 and his travels to Scotland, India, and Afghanistan. It also contains a number of notes by the author, in the guise of a fictional editor, providing additional historical glosses on the events described. The history in these books is largely accurate; most of the prominent figures Flashman meets were real people.

The main strength of the books is Flashman himself. He's such a terrible but wonderful character. Despite the racism, misogyny and sexism. Recommended for the armchair adventurer or amateur historian.

Decoding the Heavens: A 2,000-Year-old Computer and the Century Long Search to Discover Its Secrets by Jo Marchant is an exploration of the history and significance of the Antikythera Mechanism (/ˌæntɪkɪˈθɪərə/ an-ti-ki-theer-ə), an ancient mechanical calculator (also described as the first known mechanical computer) designed to calculate astronomical positions. Technological artifacts of similar complexity did not reappear until a thousand years later.

Marchant approaches the mystery of the mechanism in a narrative that begins with the discovery of the Antikythera wreck in 1901 and includes a primer on the development of scuba gear in the 19th century. Throughout the book, Marchant weaves ancient history with the lives and travails of the handful of contemporary scientists who bucked conventional wisdom with their belief that the mechanism embodied technological and mathematical expertise thought to be impossible for its time. It is believed to have been built about 150–100 BC and yet the delicate bronze clockwork it embodies would not be known to Europe until the Middle Ages.

A work of caution. The story involves complicated descriptions of astronomical theory. Large amounts of detail on mechanical parts. And digressions on analytical instruments. These are all impossible to understand without drawings. I listened to the audio book. As such huge amounts of technical detail were lost. It plods along at a glacial pace. Personally, I got more out watching a documentary on the mechanism.

Harry Flashman: the unrepentant bully of Tom Brown's schooldays, now with a Victoria Cross, has three main talents - horsemanship, facility with foreign languages and fornication. A reluctant hero, Flashman plays a key part in most of the defining military campaigns of the 19th century, despite trying his utmost to escape them all.

This fourth chronicle deals with the Crimea, Balaclava and Russian expansion into the East. As usual our anti-hero Flashman is right at the heart of events. Very politically incorrect, his desire for self-preservation, along with his usual amusing insights, make the book a pleasure to read. Definitely one of the stronger entries in the series.

The Three Hostages is the fourth of five Richard Hannay novels by the Scottish author John Buchan, first published in 1924 by Hodder & Stoughton, London.

Hannay had previously appeared in The Thirty Nine Steps (1915), his most famous adventure, in which he battles German spies across the United Kingdom, and in two books about his activities during the First World War, Greenmantle (1916) and Mr Standfast (1919).

Some years after his 39 Steps mission, Richard Hannay encounters a global criminal gang. Battling international kidnappers, agent Richard Hannay takes on a sinister adversary.

Wonderful escapist entertainment.

George MacDonald Fraser's “Flashman in the Great Game” is a rollicking adventure that once again showcases the author's masterful blend of historical fact and outrageous fiction. This fifth installment in the Flashman Papers series plunges our antihero, Harry Flashman, into the heart of the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

Fraser's meticulous research shines through as he weaves Flashman's exploits into the complex tapestry of Anglo-Indian relations and the bloody uprising that followed. The author's ability to bring historical figures to life is on full display, with characters like Lord Palmerston and Nana Sahib stepping off the page in vivid detail.

Flashman himself remains as delightfully incorrigible as ever. His cowardice, lechery, and self-serving nature continue to land him in increasingly perilous situations, which he escapes through a combination of luck, cunning, and sheer audacity. Fraser's wit sparkles throughout, making even the darkest moments of the narrative palatable through Flashman's irreverent narration.

However, modern readers may find some of Flashman's attitudes and the book's depiction of colonial India problematic. While Fraser is often critiquing these views through satire, the line between commentary and endorsement can sometimes blur.

The pacing is generally excellent, though some readers might find the historical exposition occasionally slows the narrative. Nevertheless, Fraser's prose remains engaging throughout, balancing humor with moments of genuine tension and even pathos.

“Flashman in the Great Game” is a worthy addition to the series, offering a unique and entertaining perspective on a pivotal moment in history. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction, though newcomers to the series might be better served starting with earlier installments.

In sum, this book is a testament to Fraser's skill as both a historian and a storyteller, providing a thrilling adventure that educates as much as it entertains.