Product Description

Celebrated Victorian bounder, cad, and lecher, Sir Harry Flashman, V.C., returns to play his (reluctant) part in the Indian Mutiny in the fifth volume of the critically acclaimed Flashman Papers. What caused the Indian Mutiny? The greased cartridge, religious fanaticism, political blundering, yes -- but one hitherto unsuspected factor is now revealed in the furtive figure which fled across the Indian scene in 1857 with such frantic haste: Flashman. Plumbing new depths of anxious knavery in his role as secret agent extraordinaire, Flashman saw far more of the Great Mutiny than he wanted. How he survived Thugs and Tsarist agents, Eastern beauties and cabinet ministers and kept his skin intact is a mystery as remarkable as the Flashman Papers themselves.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5134 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 396 pages

Review
'Thanks to Fraser's passion for history, his rare gift for rattling narrative and his infectious delight in robust, rollicking language, we can rejoice in a work of genius worthy of being ranked with -- there can be no higher accolade -- P.G. Wodehouse' Daily Telegraph 'Farcically outrageous and disgracefully entertaining' Sunday Times

About the Author
The author of the famous Flashman Papers and the Private McAuslan stories, George MacDonald Fraser has worked on newspapers in Britain and Canada. In addition to his novels he has also written numerous screenplays, most notably The Three Musketeers, The Four Musketeers, and the James Bond film, Octopussy.

Customer Reviews

Flashman bahadur triumphs again
I have been reading Flashman-novels off and on for some years now, and have re-read several, but this was one of the volumes I hadn't gotten around to yet, and I must say I'm mightily glad I finally did.

Flashman is his usual cowardly self, but despite his best efforts to evade danger he manages to get into the worst scrapes of the Indian Mutiny (1857-58). As ever rarely a page goes by that will not have you in stitches, but - perhaps more so than in other volumes of the series - there is also a real streak of empathy and pity here for the atrocities committed (by both sides, that is).

Are there no women then in this novel? Rest assured, Flashman womanizes galore, he's even ordered to do so by his senior commanders, which makes him coin the immortal (para)phrase 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria rogeri'... who am I to disagree?

I enjoyed this book immensily, and simply cannot wait to get started on 'Flashman and the Angel of the Lord'!

Simply The Best
I have to confess that I am a real Flashman fan, I have read many and am never ever disappointed by the writing of George McDonald Fraser.
The Flashman books follow the military career of Harry Flashman (the same Flashman as the bully in Tom Browns School Days), and follow his cowardly womanising exploits as he attempts to run away from military campaign after military campaign with the most hilarious results.
The Great Game is maybe the 5th book in the series and follows Flashman across India detailing his involvement and observations during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
All the Flashman books are extremely funny and at the same time histrically accurate with the Flashman character fitting nicely into historical events. I learnt more about this unfortunate period in history from this book than 3 years of a history degree, which seemed to involve more drinking than study.
If you are familiar with Flashman you will find that the Great Game is extremely humorous, but the humour and womanising is finely balanced and helps to raise the mood as the horrific events of the rebellion are laid down in a very graphic way before you.
This book is absolutely impelling, not only the best read in the series so far, but most definately the best book I have read for a long long time. My imagination ran wild from the start of the book to the end. Harry Flashman is simply the greatest Anti Hero ever created. As you read this book you know that really you shouldn't like Flashman, you know that he is a bully and a cheat and you know that if he was real he would be the man who desperately tries to sleep with you wife. But it is absolutely impossible not to find yourself willing him on, and dare I say it even liking him.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and even found myself Googleing many of the characters,(all of whom you will find existed)so carried away with story I actually got.

George McDonald Fraser RIP...simply the best books ive ever read
Recently read the entire series, actually devoured is probably a better word. Undoubtedly the funniest books ive ever read. The anti-hero Flashman is a character you will learn to love, and despite his vile character, he is my favourite that ive come across. The author GMF sadly passed away yesterday, 2/1/2008, news of which depressed me greatly. He will be sadly missed by all of his readers.