Flashman in the Peninsula

This is the third instalment in the memoirs of the Georgian Englishman Thomas Flashman, which were recently discovered on a well-known auction website. Thomas is the uncle of the notorious Victorian rogue Harry Flashman, whose memoirs have already been published, edited by George MacDonald Fraser. Thomas shares many of the family traits, particularly the ability to find himself reluctantly at the sharp end of many major events of his age.

While many people have written books and novels on the Peninsular War, Thomas Flashman’s memoir offer a unique perspective. They include new accounts of famous battles, but also incredible incidents and characters almost forgotten by history. Flashman is revealed as the catalyst to one of the greatest royal scandals of the nineteenth century which disgraced a prince and ultimately produced one of our finest novelists. In Spain and Portugal he witnesses catastrophic incompetence and incredible courage in equal measure. He is present at an extraordinary action where a small group of men stopped the army of a French marshal in its tracks. His flatulent horse may well have routed a Spanish regiment, while his cowardice and poltroonery certainly saved the British army from a French trap.

Accompanied by Lord Byron’s dog, Flashman faces death from Polish lancers and a vengeful Spanish midget, not to mention finding time to perform a blasphemous act with the famous Maid of Zaragoza. This is an account made more astonishing as the key facts are confirmed by various historical sources

The author has researched the period very well and includes historical notes at the end of the book. Think Sharpe, but with more humour and a self-confessed coward as the hero. An enjoyable historical romp!
The Historical Novel Society Lovers of the wonderful Harry Flashman may often have wondered how he would have fared had he been born into the era of Wellington and Napoleon. This, alas, we shall never know, but these novels are highly suggestive in that they detail the career of his utterly villainous Uncle Thomas. Evidently the old block off which young Harry was the proverbial chip, Thomas Flashman is an equally satisfying anti-hero, whilst his creator has taken just as much care as George Macdonald Fraser to recreate the times and events in which he took part. Thoroughly recommended!'
Professor Charles J. Esdaile, FRHistS, expert and author of numerous books on the Peninsular War.