Amazon.com
Flashman and the Tiger is George MacDonald Fraser's 11th chronicle of Sir Harry Flashman, a "celebrated Victorian soldier, scoundrel, amorist, and self-confessed poltroon." Written with great wit and ingenuity, the series is presented as a succession of long-lost memoirs, which Fraser is simply editing for a modern readership. Thus does he interrupt Sir Harry's voice with footnotes, appendices, and tail-gunning apologies. Indeed, Fraser, whose editorial persona is humorless and academic, seems almost embarrassed in the presence of his subject's unbridled self-love.
This time the year is 1878, and Flashman is poking his nose into some deep political intrigue for a journalist friend who's done him various unsavory favors. Our favorite swashbuckler has just returned from Paris, where he was awarded the Legion of Honor. Yet readers familiar with Flashman's saga will know this is simply one more piece of tin to add to his capacious collection--and that even as he's revered by those around him, he finds it impossible to take himself seriously. Instead he regards himself as "one of those fortunate critters who ... are simply without shame, and wouldn't know Conscience if they tripped over it in broad day."
As usual, Flashman stumbles through history like a bull in a china shop. At the end of the first section, "The Road to Charing Cross," we realize that he's delayed the onset of World War I by various wranglings with the would-be assassins of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria. The following sections put him in contact with the Prince of Wales, a procession of remarkable whores, Zulu warriors, and yet more remarkable whores. Fraser's brashly perfect prose both fuels and awakens the imagination. And in the end the reader has to wonder: which wars almost came to pass, but were averted by a half-drunk war hero with a lust for life? --Emily White
Book Description
For the first time in four years comes a new book in George MacDonald Fraser's long-running series chronicling the adventures of Sir Harry Paget Flashman. Eleventh in the series,
Flashman and the Tiger features not one, but three stories of international intrigue that find the fictional Flashman thrown headlong into historical events around the world.
This time out Flashman is thwarting an attempted assassination of Austria's Emperor Franz Josef ("The Road to Charing Cross"); getting to the bottom of the Tranby Croft gaming scandal–and the Prince of Wales' involvement in it ("The Subtleties of Baccarat"); and, in the title story, impacting the Zulu war while hunting down a longtime enemy. At once meticulously faithful to fact and wildly fanciful, Flashman and the Tiger is an educational romp through the annals of history; thirty years after he began the series, Fraser is at the top of his game.
Customer Reviews:
Recommended Only for Established Flashman Fans.......2007-06-21
'Flashman and the Tiger'; consists of a novella and two short stories. The shorts, which involve an infamous baccarat scandal that touched the Prince of Wales, and the unexpected fallout from the Rorke Drift military disaster are a definite improvement over the novella, which treats an assassination attempt of Emperor Franz Josef in the 1880's.
The novella occupies roughly two-thirds of the book and wanders along aimlessly. If you are unfamiliar with Flashman and especially the Royal Flash (Flashman) you are likely to be more confused than amused.
Fraser is not at his best here. The whole book has an unfinished, unpolished feel. Flashman is aged at the time of the events (not just at the time of the writing them down), but I don't think that is the problem. Flashy still rogers along or fondly recalls past rogering, shrinks from danger, and does his foes dirty - behind their back, of course.
The final short, the eponymous Flashman and the Tiger, contains a good riff on Sherlock Holmes deducing (wrongly on all points).
Recommended only for established Flashman fans. If you are new to to Harry Flashman, best start in the beginning.Flashman: A Novel (Flashman).
Necessary for the collection.......2006-08-03
"Flashman and the Tiger" is made up of 3 short stories, the only book of the Flashman series written in such a format. The writing is just as good as ever, but the stories lack the zest and frisson of the others, perhaps because they deal with a late middle-aged and elderly Flashman, which necessarily limits the deranged situations the author has in which to place his creation.
The first and longest story- "The Road to Charing Cross"- involves Flashman in a plot to save the Emperor Franz Josef from an assassination. The story, while amusing, is rather far-fetched and none too memorable. The second story, "The Subtleties of Baccarat", is worth the price of the book. It is expertly constructed and written, based on a historical incident, with a surprise ending which will leave you laughing in shock. The third story, "Flashman and the Tiger", has its moments, particularly the elderly Flashman's verbal sparring with Oscar Wilde and his run-in with Sherlock Holmes, but it too is somewhat contrived and a little silly. All in all, a fun book, but two of the stories just don't rank in quality with the other Flashman books.
3 Flashies for the price of 1.......2003-10-10
Flashman and the Tiger is more a collection of 3 Flashman short stories than a single coherent novel. As a result, it is sort of a mixed bag. The first (and longest of the three) is also the best. It deals with an attempt on the life of Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz-Josef's life, and true to Flashman form is full of debauchery, double-crossing, and cowardice mistaken for courage and honor.
The second centers around a gambling scandal with the Prince of Wales, the third with a matter of honor and Sir Flashman's granddaughter. Both of these stories were good, but sort of a let down after the delightful and complicated first story. Nonetheless, Flashman fans will be sure to enjoy the book as did I.
You'd think Flash would have to repeat himself.......2003-09-18
Fraser squeezed another Flashy episode into that brief human life and me, I'm glad. So will you be also.
The Flashman Papers continue to offer up new episodes in this series. In this one Flashy's reflections are more more mature, but his cynicism remains intact, his wisdom a human one recognizing our weaknesses as humans, none more than his own.
Three Flashman Shorts.......2003-05-29
George MacDonald Fraser has been writing Flashman stuff for about 25 years now. He's also an accomplished writer in other fields: his memoir of his own service in WW2, "Quartered Safe Out Here" is one of the best personal accounts to come out of that war, and he wrote the screenplay for "The Three Musketeers." In short, he's an accomplished guy.
Flashman and the Tiger is only the second time, by my count, that the author has written something much out of order (the other time being Flashman and the Redskins, which contains a section from 1876). In this volume, Flashman recounts three adventures from his later life, one involving an attempt to assasinate the Emporer of Austria-Hungary, a second involving Flashy in a card-cheating scandal with the Prince of Wales entangled in it, and the third, the title piece, involving our hero deciding to kill a mortal enemy, and running into Sherlock Holmes in the process.
The first of the stories is by far the longest, longer than 200 pages, and really almost a novel itself. It's a good story, even if it is a bit reminiscent of an earlier novel he wrote, and the characters are fun. The second story is a bit more mundane, though I'll confess the ending had me laughing for several minutes. The thirds story, which takes place partly in Africa during the Zulu War, is amusing, though I agree that this does somewhat preclude a full Zulu War novel. The Sherlock part is hilarious, and quite the best part of the book, to be honest. I'm a Sherlock buff of a kind (read all of the stories when I was in high school, twice) and I enjoyed it immensely.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend this as an introductory book for the series, though you could have someone read one of the shorter stories and see if that's the sort of thing that interests them. I do know that some Americans find it hard to read a book written in the vernacular like this, and a short story would be a good way to figure things out. The first story's too long for this, but one of the other two might do.
Given that, it's a worthwhile addition to the series, and fun.
Average customer rating:
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Flashman and the Tiger
Manufacturer: HARPER COLLINS 1 PAP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GS65VO |
Customer Reviews:
A Great Read!!!.......2004-08-06
I was so happy to find this series! Mrs. Jeffries is a delightful lady who runs the house for Inspector Witherspoon. He isn't very good at solving murders, but Mrs. Jeffries and her staff are, so they help him out by doing some behind the scenes investigating. Then they steer the inspector in the right direction without letting him know. The characters are wonderful and they grow with each book. This may not be the greatest mystery you have ever read, but it will still be one you can't wait to finish so you can start the next one. I love them!!!!
A very light Victorian mystery........2004-07-14
I read a lot of historical mysteries, and I love Victorian ones, so that is why I've begun the Emily Brightwell series about the clever Mrs. Jeffries. This book is written with a light hand, but the characters show promise. The bumbling Inspector Witherspoon, the street smart Smythe, the uppity cook Mrs. Goodge, and Betsey and Wiggins, as well as Mrs. Jeffries. These characters show a lot of promise, and I will continue to read this series. But readers don't expect a real Victorian flavour to these books. I found while reading the book that it was set in the Victorian age, but it very easily could have been any other era or place. Even the English cozy atmosphere that the writer tries to depict seems a bit contrived. For those who read the historical genre for atmosphere, they will find that as well as a sense of time and place is somewhat lacking in this series. Still a fun mystery (even though an easy one to figure out).
Great Series for Mystery Fans.......2003-10-15
I collected Emily Brightwell's Inspector Witherspoon and Mrs. Jeffries series ever since the first book came out and I just fell in love with the series. It's a combination of Victorian style and atmosphere with a hilarious tone and tons of fun. I could think of nothing more to do on a weekend than curling up on the couch with a hot mug of coffee and a blanket and just let your mind read the entire series. Each one of them is full of excitement and fun sleuthing by Mrs. Jeffries and her staff, Betsy, Smythe, Mrs. Goodge, and Wiggles(?) and the household dog Fred along with some of their friends are involved in solving cases that Inspector Witherspoon relunctantly but dutly solves. Including in the series, the ever hilarious Luty Belle Crookshank and her butler Hatchet especially with her wealthy, American attitude and her outspoken views versus his stiff upper lip Brtishiness and that adds up to some really wild exchanges between the two of them. The joy of this is that the Inspector has no clue that he has help from his devoted staff and their friends. Even the loyal Constable Barnes clued in to their sleuthing but supports them.
Mrs. Jeffries Leads the Pack!.......2003-06-20
This is the first book in the Mrs. Jeffries series and introduces us to the household staff of Inspector Witherspoon. It seems that the Inspector needs just a bit of help in solving his murder cases for Scotland Yard, and Mrs. Jeffries and her staff set out to help him solve his first case. When a local doctor is poisoned, the Inspector must determined if he was killed by his own cook or if someone is trying to frame her to throw suspicion elsewhere.
I enjoyed reading this first book in the series, and enjoyed the relationships between the characters (mainly Mrs. Jeffries and the other members of the household) better than the actual mystery itself. I thought that Inspector Witherspoon was portrayed as a bit too dumb in this book, but having read several in the series, I have to say that he gains more skills and confidence in his abilities as the series grows. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, than this Victorian mystery is for you. Enjoy!
Fluff, but what delightful fluff!.......2002-08-26
Emily Brightwell has written a series of Victorian mysteries starring Scotland Yard detective Witherspoon and his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries. Inspector Witherspoon is not exactly the brightest candle in the cupboard, but he is an exceptionally nice man and a wonderful employer. Mrs. Jeffries, who IS one of the brightest candles in the cupboard, realizes that he might have difficulty solving cases on his own, and so she and the rest of the household staff resolve to help him along with any complicated case that may come up. At the same time, they want to make him think that he really solved the case all by himself.
The mystery in this book is the murder of a thoroughly despicable and not-very-competent local doctor, who has made himself wealthy by blackmailing everyone he can find to blackmail. The original assumption is that the doctor was poisoned with mushrooms, but as always in murder mysteries, there's more to the story than meets the first glance.
This is not a deep and complex mystery, but it isn't built on thin air, either. Brightwell's real accomplishment is in the very well drawn characterizations of the inspector, the servants (there are four including Mrs. Jeffries), and the suspects. The reader will quickly feel a fond affection for all of those people, and will enjoy following their thoughts and activities as the mystery is unraveled.
I usually find mystery novels as insubstantial as this one to be frustrating and feel that they're not worth my time. But I find the prospect of spending an afternoon with Mrs. Jeffries to be irresistible, and I plan to read every book in the series (according to the list at the front of my paperback copy, there are at least thirteen of them).
Enjoy!
Average customer rating:
- Underrated fantasy series
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Bard III: The Wild Sea
Keith Taylor
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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Bard 2 (Bard)
ASIN: 044104915X |
Customer Reviews:
Underrated fantasy series.......2007-08-20
I'm not much for series of any kind, but these quasi historical novels were pretty good. I liked them when I was a kid and I recently picked up the first one and read it again, it held up so well I tracked down all the others except No 5, which I couldn't find. I'm looking forward to reading that one, it's actually not only entertaining but also thought provoking, this period of history is full of unanswered questions.
Book Description
You don't have to be white to have a white mind.
What is a white mind? As Anne Wilson Schaef learned during her travels throughout the world among Native Peoples, anyone raised in modern Western society or by Western culture can have a white mind. White minds are trapped in a closed system of thinking that sees life in black and white, either/or terms; they are hierarchical and mechanistic; they see nature as a force to be tamed and people as objects to be controlled with no regard for the future.
This worldview is not shared by most Native Peoples, and in this provocative book, Anne Wilson Schaef shares the richness poured out to her by Native Americans, Aborigines, Africans, Maoris, and others. In the words of Native Peoples themselves, we come to understand Native ideas about our earth, spirituality, family, work, loneliness, and change. For in every area of our lives we have the capacity to transcend our white minds--we simply need to listen with open hearts and open minds to other voices, other perceptions, other cultures.
Anne Wilson Schaef often heard Elders from a wide variety of Native Peoples say, "Our legends tell us that a time will come when our wisdom and way of living will be necessary to save the planet, and that time is now." Anyone ready to move from feeling separate to a profound sense of connectedness, from the personal to the global, will find the path in this mind-expanding, deeply spiritual book.
Customer Reviews:
White Minds that need Native Wisdom.......2005-08-03
Thsi is a good source of daily meditation.Not exactly as I had antipated, but nonrtheless, this book does help you to stop and reflect on you life and they way you are living it.It helps you to look at more simpler way of viewing and interpreting life.
A wonderful look at the Big Picture.......2001-07-16
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As I read the book, daily, I find myself continuously validated. The Maori believe as I do. So do the Irish, the Samoan, the Inupiat, the Aboriginal, the Blackfoot, the Hawaiian, the Swahili, the Lakota...and there is still so much for me to learn from them. All of these people have a reverence for life and incredibly generous spitits. The book shows us the common sense that we Westerners ignore in the favor of materialism, and shows us the wonderful sense of humor that Native Peoples have. This books has something for all of us in Western culture to learn from.
A lot of wisdom.......1998-06-17
A "MUST", If you don't read it, you will miss something in your life. There is a lot to learn
Book Description
Sacred knowledge to understand ourselves and the natural world.White Eagle Medicine Wheel is a unique pack designed as a simple, step-by-step guide to the sacred teachings of Native Americans. Using the illustrated book and its powerful deck of cards, and with Wa-Na-Nee-Che as your guide, you will progress through three levels of learning. You will be taught how to communicate with the animals who will show you their medicine ways; you will discover how to access the energies and teachings of our elders; and you will learn how to use the four creative sources of power through their archetypal symbols.White Eagle Medicine Wheel is a resource for problem-solving on all fronts, whether at home, at work, or in relationships. You will quickly realize that its teachings generate remarkable inspiration and intuitive powers.The native peoples of America are appalled at the way we are treating our planet and feel that we are on the brink of social and ecological disaster. They believe that only through deeper spiritual understanding of ourselves and of the natural world can this be prevented. Until recently, Native Americans have been reluctant to share their wisdom with the Western world. But now, with the agreement of elders and spiritual advisors in the United States and Canada, Wa-Na-Nee-Che, and his scribe Eliana, reveal how this sacred knowledge can benefit us all. Wa-Na-Nee-Che-- which in Lakota means He who is needed by the people- is one of the very few remaining Native Americans willing to share the original wisdom of the old way of life. He will help you to discover the inner self. You will learn how to live in harmony, not only with yourself, but with all living things around you, and with all the children of Mother Earth. You will never look back.* Native American wisdom for everyday use* Easy-to-use method for problem-solving, healing yourself and others* 46 beautiful medicine wheel cards* Illustrated book gives full instructions on using the cards
Customer Reviews:
answered my question while other cards could not.......2007-05-10
Every one has their own opinion which can make or ruin the outcome of a reading. Go into it thinking it is silly it will turn silly. If you open yourself to the deck, the meanings will come forth for you. Being of open mind makes the deck work, not just the cards themselves tho your reaction to them can aid in the discovery.... I was needing an answer that I could not get from my other decks.(not even Jamie sams) WHY? It was the pictures in this one that I found warm, inviting and calmer because the colors on the cards were comfortable. I sat down with these and opened my energy to them, gave of myself and the cards gave back. I AM A PROUD OWNER, (or maybe owned by,) OF THESE CARDS. What I have been taught by these cards I will cherish for as long as the cards choose to stay with me. I almost put them up for sale till I had a warm feeling come over me and I decided to at least try them. I am now making a beaded pouch to keep them in. DO not listen to others until you yourself have opened up to the energy of these cards which will mix with your own.
Beginning Shamanism (Not Native American or Animal).......2005-06-07
"White Eagle Medicine Wheel: A Native American Way of Life" by Wa-Na-Nee-Chee is an excellent introduction to the tools that shamans use. This book is divided into learning from three groups - animals, grandmothers and grandfathers, and totems. In addition, Wa-Na-Nee-Chee inserts himself into the book to guide the reader into the inner mysteries of shamanism. By doing the card spreads and readings, the reader has a safe way to begin the practice of shamanism. The reader can discover their own meanings of each concept that "White Eagle Medicine Wheel" presents.
Although, Wa-Na-Nee-Chee presents his book and card set as "Native American" wisdom, people would do better by learning the cultures of specific tribes. Medicine Wheels are usually found in Plains Cultures, and Totem Poles in only Northwest American Cultures. You would not find the two together in the same culture, as the author seems to imply.
Although, the writings of the animals are similar to "Medicine Cards" by David Carson and Jaime Sams, the beautiful cards do offer an intuitive way to know the animals. In addition, the animal teachings can be read alone or with teachings such as `record keeping' and `birthing'. To learn how to integrate animals into a shamanistic practice, the reader is well served by this book. However, if the reader is interested in learning more about animals or Native American cultures, they should seek out other books instead of this one.
Crow Tribe cultural director speaks out.......2004-04-11
One of the authors is closely involved with Brooke Medicine Eagle. Before you buy this book, go to this website www.sonomacountyfreepress.com/features/brooke-edwards.html.
I love these cards!.......2002-07-27
They are beautiful. Very colourful, with detail, lots of symbology and meaning. The book is easy to read from cover to cover, and as a reference book. I highly recommend this set over the others that I've seen.
Sacred and Beautiful Deck.......1999-05-11
This beautifully designed deck holds the sacred teachings of Native American knowledge and is visually inspiring. The 46 cards are accompanied by a 132 page book filled with information of the symbolism held in the pack. Included are spreads, ceremonies and rituals, all divided into levels of apprentice,student and elder. You will love the inspiration of this unique teaching tool.
Book Description
In this first volume of The White Buffalo Woman Trilogy, author Heyoka Merrifield celebrates the sacredness of nature and the return of a culture hidden by time. Eyes of Wisdom offers a deeply moving narration of life and ceremony on the plains that is richly interwoven with Native American and other mythic traditions. The author draws inspiration from the legend of White Buffalo Woman, his vision quests, and experiences in the Sun Dance lodge.
Books:
- Flyy Girl
- God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
- Hammerhead Ranch Motel
- Havana Red
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- In the Shadow of the Law: A Novel
- Isle of Palms
- Kane and Abel
- Lara: Book One Of The World Of Hetar (World of Hetar)
- Las Lagrimas Del Sol/the Sun's Tears (Leer En Espanol, Level 4)
Books Index
Books Home
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Flashman and the Angel of the Lord
Flashman on the March (Flashman Papers)
Flashman and the Dragon (Flashman)
Flashman and the Redskins (Flashman)
Flashman and the Mountain of Light (Flashman)
