'Flashman and the Redskins'

[elisabeth]

... by George Macdonald Fraser. A novel, of course, but if you're familiar with the Flashman series, you'll know how good Fraser is at weaving top-notch historical research in with his fiction (or vice versa). Fully documented footnotes and everything.

It has the best portrayal of Custer that I've read anywhere, fiction OR non-fiction -- and a very sound account of the battle, too. Needless to say, it's Flashman (the series lead character) who turns out to be the 'bravest man', and 'sole survivor' as well, but that's just Fraser's fun-and-games; leaving that aside, it's as good as any serious history. Just has more jokes.

Very entertaining. You'll enjoy it, I think!

[ma dawg got et]

I read "Flashman and the REskins" years ago. Just a wonderful read. With accurate footnotes.

Fraser writes some serious history too. He did a book on Hollywood history and how they get it right more often than not.

alfuso

[bhist]

Another outstanding historical piece he wrote is, "The Steel Bonnets: The Story of the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers" -- a fantastic read about the back and forth stealing of cattle between the Scots and English in the 16th century.

Fraser is a Scotsman -- born in the highlands at Carlisle. He served in the Border Regiment in Burma during WWII.

[bigpond]

Bhist,
I thought you were talking about my clan"Elliot"who were right on the border
By all accounts we used to steal sheep of the neighbouring clan" Douglas"and guess what,my father married a Douglas
Another coincidence my dad was in Burma too ::)not sure about the regiment though[he never talked about that time]but will try and find out.

[bhist]

bigpond said:

Another coincidence my dad was in Burma too ::)not sure about the regiment though[he never talked about that time]but will try and find out.

You never know -- your Dad may have known Fraser.

[na dawg got et]

I believe "Steel Bonnets" (which I own) was the first Fraser book I read.

alfuso