# Flashman on the March **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 4, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620 "2008-12-04T03:05:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/1 "2008-12-04T03:05:03Z")
Having just begun, I notice that among Harry’s many accomplishments are the Zulu War, 1879 (Isandhlwana, Rorke’s Drift). I can easily imagine Flashman running away from the debacle at Isandhwana, to find safety at Rorke’s Drift…But I digress. Please, lord, tell me Frasier wrote this one before he made bivouac in the sky. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/2 "2008-12-04T03:10:24Z")
Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/3 "2008-12-04T04:08:56Z")
Aw, man…It would be perfect for Flashy. Use the guy who wrapped himself in the flag and blew his brains out with his last cartridge as a diversion, escape with a plausable tale to a little hospital, where he _knew_ the Zulus would never find him while he waited for rescue…fleeing coward like, digging between rooms with a bayonet, hailed as thereby helping the wounded escape…_Dammit._ ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/4 "2008-12-04T14:10:50Z")
Isn’t _Flashman And The Tiger_ set during the Anglo-Zulu War? I have a copy sitting here, begging for me to read it, but I’m forcing myself to read the Flashman books in order, so it’s going to have to wait. The cover, however, does show Flashy leaning on a Zulu shield and the back cover appears to show the defence of Rorke’s Drift, and the blurb mentions Flashman “galloping hell-for-leather with a horde of angry Zulus in hot pursuit”, so you may be in luck. I know Fraser never got around to writing _Flashman Down Under_, although he alluded to Flashy’s adventures in Australia in several of the other novels… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/5 "2008-12-04T14:21:16Z")
Yes, yes! [Link.](http://www.peers.org/revfltig.html) I owe you a beer, old fellow! Possible spoiler space. The third novella, Flashman and the Tiger itself, is a rewrite of a short story Fraser originally published in 1975. It includes both a flashback to Flashman’s breathtaking adventures in the Zulu War, climaxing in Rorke’s Drift (you didn’t think he’d miss that one, did you?), and an Arthur Conan Doyle style mystery story involving the infamous Colonel John Sebastian Moran (a.k.a. “Tiger Jack”), whom Sherlock Holmes found such a formidable opponent. We trust you’ll be surprised and amused at the plot twists! This is a fun, fun little piece. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/6 "2008-12-04T14:31:55Z")
The really regrettable thing is that Frasier never got to write about Flashy’s American Civil War experience. It’s often alluded to in other books, but the full story never got told (apparently, he fought on both sides). ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/7 "2008-12-04T14:47:47Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The really regrettable thing is that Frasier never got to write about Flashy’s American Civil War experience. It’s often alluded to in other books, but the full story never got told (apparently, he fought on both sides). True; he mentions meeting Lincoln again and being persuaded to nobble the Confederate Army and also mentioned marching with Sherman at one point too. Here’s an interesting thought: Seeing as the Flashman character is from a book now in the public domain (_Tom Brown’s Schooldays_), couldn’t someone else continue the _Flashman_ novels (assuming the right author could be found, of course)? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/8 "2008-12-04T15:15:29Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > True; he mentions meeting Lincoln again and being persuaded to nobble the Confederate Army and also mentioned marching with Sherman at one point too. > > Here’s an interesting thought: Seeing as the Flashman character is from a book now in the public domain (_Tom Brown’s Schooldays_), couldn’t someone else continue the _Flashman_ novels (assuming the right author could be found, of course)? That’s an interesting question. I have no idea. I suppose his estate might have a right over subsidiary characters like Lisbeth, but Flashy himself is an interesting question. I suspect that anyone wanting to continue with the character would not have an easy go of it without the good will of Frasier’s family, regardless of legalities. It would also have to be somebody who was not only capable of mimicking the distinctive narrative voice that Frasier gave to Flashman, but who could also replicate Frasier’s careful scholarship and research. Not an easy task to combine both of those qualities. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/9 "2008-12-04T15:51:08Z")
I’ve thought that S.M. Stirling would be a good choice to pick up the Flashman series. He’s a fan of the character. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/10 "2008-12-04T16:06:05Z")
Haven’t I seen a cover illustration of Flash smirking in a CSA uniform at a scantily clad Black woman? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/11 "2008-12-04T17:02:38Z")
The closest thing I can find to that is the cover of [Flash For Freedom!,](http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0452260892/ref=sib_dp_pop_fc?ie=UTF8&p=S001#reader-link)and that isn’t a CSA uniform. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/12 "2008-12-04T18:51:52Z")
Nor is it [Flashman and the Angel of the Lord.](http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0452274400/ref=sib_dp_pop_fc?ie=UTF8&p=S001#reader-link) Wishful thinking on my part, perhaps dementia. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/13 "2008-12-05T06:43:14Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > That’s an interesting question. I have no idea. I suppose his estate might have a right over subsidiary characters like Lisbeth, but Flashy himself is an interesting question. > > I suspect that anyone wanting to continue with the character would not have an easy go of it without the good will of Frasier’s family, regardless of legalities. It would also have to be somebody who was not only capable of mimicking the distinctive narrative voice that Frasier gave to Flashman, but who could also replicate Frasier’s careful scholarship and research. Not an easy task to combine both of those qualities. You’re probably right- anyone trying to continue the series without the blessing of the Fraser Estate would certainly have a hard time of it, especially since without the colourful cast of supporting characters the whole thing might seem a bit “Hollow”- after all, part of the fun with the series are the adventures Flashy alludes to but never really gives any further details on (Australia and his involvement in the US Civil War being two examples). I’m surprised the Estate hasn’t found someone to keep writing the stories, to be honest… ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/14 "2008-12-05T09:38:43Z")
No, nobody else could write like Fraser. The series should be allowed to die with him. Which ain’t to say you couldn’t make a _movie_ of Flashy {the 70’s movie of _Royal Flash_ never happened. Malcolm McDowell was busy at the time. Nothing to see here. Move along, please}, although you’d probably offend everybody: I always thought Timothy Dalton would be excellent casting. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/15 "2008-12-05T09:49:30Z")
Oh, and if you’re jonesin’ for some more genuwine Flashy, he’s a supporting character in Fraser’s _Mr American_, as an ancient but still trenchant lecher on the verge of WW1. And Flashy’s guv’nor, “Mad Buck” Flashman, features prominently in Fraser’s splendid boxing novel _Black Ajax_: he’s _almost_ as big a cad as his son… Hell, just read _all_ of Fraser: _The Pyrates_ is quite possibly the funniest book I’ve ever read. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/16 "2008-12-05T10:38:42Z")
> [@Scissorjack](#): > > No, nobody else could write like Fraser. The series should be allowed to die with him. This is an interesting sentiment, but not one I can say I agree with. The character is fascinating and too interesting _not_ to have more stories written about, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/17 "2008-12-05T14:53:39Z")
Anybody know if Fraser left any notes, half-plotted novels, outlines ot the like behind? That would certainly make another author’s job easier. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/18 "2008-12-05T15:29:41Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The character is fascinating and too interesting _not_ to have more stories written about, IMHO. I thought Allen Lewrie was to be a sea going Flashman from the first novel, [The King’s Coat.](http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Coat-Lewrie-Naval-Adventures/dp/0449003604) Caught rogering his cousin, (he was set up by her and his (or her?) brother so that he would be left out of the inheritance) he is forced to join the Royal Navy as a midshipman. He steals and cheats through out the first book or two. Gets the brother drunk, has an anchor tattooed on his arm and gives him to the Press. Unfortunately, he turns out to be a rather boring straight laced naval hero further into the series. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/19 "2008-12-05T15:34:02Z")
> [@Scissorjack](#): > > No, nobody else could write like Fraser. The series should be allowed to die with him. Which ain’t to say you couldn’t make a _movie_ of Flashy {the 70’s movie of _Royal Flash_ never happened. Malcolm McDowell was busy at the time. Nothing to see here. Move along, please}, although you’d probably offend everybody: I always thought Timothy Dalton would be excellent casting. Timothy Dalton would be great; he looks right, can do comedy, drama and action. I agree about the books. I don’t want to see somebody else try and write Flashman. It’s not just the character; the books have their own charm as fascinating historical novels too, often bringing to life near-forgotten misadventures in Britain’s checkered 19th century Imperial career. Not many people can write this stuff as well as Fraser did. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620/20 "2008-12-05T18:08:57Z")
> [@](#): > > I thought Allen Lewrie was to be a sea going Flashman from the first novel, The King’s Coat. Raymond Saunders tried to do a series with an American Flashman-like character set in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The series wasn’t a success and only ran for two of three novels. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashman-on-the-march/475620.md?page=2)