Flashman (The Flashman Papers, Book 1)

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 military 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.

Flashman, soldier, duellist, lover, imposter, coward, cad and hero, triumphs in this first instalment of The Flashman Papers. His adventures as the reluctant secret agent in Afghanistan and his entry into the exclusive company of Lord Cardigan's Hussars culminate in his foulest hour - his part in the historic disaster of the Retreat from Kabul.

This is the story of a blackguard who enjoyed villainy for its own sake. Shameless, exciting and funny, Flashman's deplorable odyssey is observed with the cynical eye of a scoundrel who was honest only in reporting what he saw. He makes all other black sheep look respectable grey.

As a historical fiction, FLASHMAN by George MacDonald Fraser, the Sunday Times bestselling author, is a top-notch narrative that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the 19th century. Join Flashman in his adventures in Afghanistan and his entry into the exclusive company of Lord Cardigan's Hussars in this bestselling book.

For fans of P. G. Wodehouse (Carry On, Jeeves), Robert Harris (V2), Ian Fleming (From Russia with Love), Mick Herron (The Usual Santas), and Larry Mcmurtry (All My Friends Are Going to Be Strangers).