Literature offers a window into other lives, cultures and lands. Join us in stepping through the window.
Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser is the first book in a series. Harry Flashman takes advantage of Mr. Morrison's daughter Elspeth and promptly undergoes the Scottish version of a shotgun wedding. Kicked out of his unit, he is sent off to India to make something of himself. Flashman is not at all happy at the prospect of being shot; he is rather fond of his hide. Nonetheless he ends up fighting with the British when they decide to invade Afghanistan, not one of their brighter moves. Anyone even remotely considering the invasion of Afghanistan would not be amiss to reflect for a moment on how the plan turned out for Britain. The Flashman books are great fun to read. combining history, humor, and hi-jinks. They also use horrible words for various indigenous people. It is my belief that to censor words diminishes the suffering they have caused. While I would strenuously object to anyone using these words in real life today, I also strenuously object to any attempt to edit them out of literature. If you would like to have fun reading and learn a bit about history, you couldn't do better than the Flashman series.
