[Xenalyte]

Rest in peace, sir, and know that you will always be honored by those of us who enjoy a ripping good yarn.

[gridlock]

Now I am going to have to go out and get Flashie’s books out of the library. They are a fun read, and give you a little history along the way. Of course, you have to be mindful of the fact that a little over half of what you learn will be wrong.

[ottbmare]

This is a great loss. I’m the only woman I know who loved the Flashman series, and I always hoped Fraser could pull himself together to write a last great book more about Sir Harry in the War Between the States. But the research he did was so vast that it’s easy to see why he wouldn’t do it.

[SJSAMPLE]

I’m not so sure “Octopussy” is a standout resume bullet.

[rellimpank]

—great series of books—I re-read them every couple of years—

[tarheelswamprat]

I really enjoyed the Flashman books.

re:He was still working there when the first Flashman book was published in 1969. ... A further 11 followed, the last in 2005. ... George MacDonald Fraser wrote 11 Flashman novels...

So, which is it, 11 or 12 books... /grin

[Sans-Culotte]

Sad news indeed. Reminds me that I never got around to reading Flashman and the Tiger. Guess I'll start that one this week.

The article failed to mention that Fraser was the screenwriter on Richard Lester's superb film adaptation of The Three Musketeers (released in two parts) in the mid-70's. I think that was the first time I heard of Fraser, and his screenplay was a notable contribution to the film. Lester and Fraser later collaborated on a film of Fraser's own Royal Flash. I think I am one of the few Flashman fans who liked that film (though the novel was one of the weakest in the series, IMO). R.I.P. GMF.

[dynachrome]

“MacDonald Fraser served as a soldier in Burma and India during World War II and later rose to be deputy editor of the Glasgow Herald newspaper. “

Pick up his war memoirs, “Quartered Safe Out Here” for an interesting read.

“You may talk of gin and beer

“When you’re quartered safe out here

“An’ you’re sent to penny fights an’ Aldershot it

“But when it comes to slaughter

“You will do your work on water

“An’ you’ll lick the bloomin’ boots of ‘im that’s got it

~Kipling (Gunga Din)

[CivilWarguy]

Also unmentioned: Fraser wrote a superb history book on the Scots Border (not Highland) clans, and he occasionally contributed to National Review.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

I would recommend The Pyrates to anyone who has enjoyed the Flashman series.