1867-8, Africa.
Happy, beause it’s a new Flashman.
Sad, because it’s probably the last Flashman, due to Fraser’s advancing age.
Disappointed, because we’ll never get the true story of Harry’s involvement in the US Civil War, among other adventures.
A new Flashman…goody! 
Huzzah!!!
It’s not out until November 1 in the US.
Amazon.uk is your friend!
They ship worldwide.
It’s also getting a Canadian release tomorrow.
YAY!! But I’ll have to wait for the paperback version since all the other Flashman books I have are in pb.
Hmm, it’s been out for 10 days in the UK. I also notice there’s a third volume in the Science of Discworld series, which has never been published here. Damn this exchange rate, I’m going shopping!
Damn fine! I’ll have to pick up a first edition, since after scoring a first edition of the original Flashman, I’ve made it my life’s work to collect the entire series in first editions - I’m about halfway there, with a lucky find of a first edition Flashman and the Dragon in a second-hand bookstore last week: excellent condition, and only $12. Score!
HUZZAH! Been without my Flshman fix for too long!
C’mon Frazer, get the Civil War book out before you die!
Well, we finally have a clue about what old Harry was up to during the War Between the States:
http://www.civilwar.nps.gov/cwss/Personz_Detail.cfm?PER_NBR=-243088046961617924385
I’ll bet he looked pretty swish in the Zouave uniform. But a ranker? Slumming it a bit, ain’t we, old boy?
Obviously an undercover assignement!!
He must have signed up whilst drunk.
A gentleman ranker, suh. Please.
I’m halfway through it at the moment: I’m reading it slowly so as to ration out the enjoyment: after the slightly disappointing last two books, a welcome return to classic Flashy knavery in exotic locales - booting paramours over waterfalls to save his skin and the like.
His editor’s note is unusually topical, since he doesn’t usually employ them as a commentary on current events, let alone use them as a political pulpit:
“For Flashman’s story is about a British Army sent out in a good and honest cause by a government who knew what honour meant. It was not sent without initial follies and hesitations in high places, or until every hope of a peaceful issue was gone. It went with the fear of disaster hanging over it, but with the British public in doubt that it was right. It served no politician’s vanity or interest. It went without messianic rhetoric. There were no false excuses, no deceits, no cover-ups or lies, just a decent resolve to dio a government’s first duty: to protect its people, whatever the cost. To quote Flashman again, those were the days.”
I’m not saying I don’t disagree with him {please, no political debates, lest Dex get cross}, and the grumpy old soldier is obviously pissed off, but I think I prefer Fraser’s customary editorial detachment, where he leaves readers to draw their own parallels.
Finished it last night: so much for rationing it out. Is it just me, or is Flashy getting braver? No spoilers, but the second half sags a bit, with Flashy doing nothing but his soldierly duty, and not even particularly reluctantly: he doesn’t even bother skulking or shirking, let alone rogering. He’s less the despicable rotter of old and more an amiable scoundrel. Overall a bit of a disappointment after a promising start: could it be time for Fraser to lay the series to rest?
