An Introduction to the Flashman series

Part 2: An Introduction to the Flashman series

Part 3: An Introduction to the Flashman series

Yet another video (or 3) which is inspired by my project of going back through my old reviews, but is not actually an old review.
I've now worked my way up to my Flashman phase of book reviews, and I thought it might be confusing to just jump into the book reviews without an introduction to the character first of all.  Especially since the Flashman series is largely unknown in the United States.  And especially since Flashman is based off of a public domain character from an old book which is also largely unknown in the United States.  So I wanted to give an overview of the whole series before doing the individual book reviews.  Plus I figured it might be fun.
It's in 3 videos, because my camera can only handle 30 minutes at a time.  (The second video is 25 minutes because the battery died.)
I ramble on a lot, as usual, but I did try to keep my comments somewhat focused by making an outline before hand.  The outline is on Google docs (docs, pub) and also copied and pasted below.

Introduction to Flashman Series

I. Brief Intro
A. Premise: Flashman very famous well-respected soldier--bravery and honor.  His papers discovered after he died--really a coward and scoundrel.  Presented by an editor--with footnotes
B. 12 books, 2 tie in books 1969 to 2005. (mostly in 1970s--pace slowed afterwards).  George MacDonald Fraser died in 2008, so now closed canon.
C. Genre: Historical Fiction
1. Specifically Victorian British Empire, e.g. British in Afghanistan, India, Punjab (1st Sikh War), British army in China (Arrow War--2nd Opium War), British army in Ethiopia, British army in South Africa (Zulu War), James Brooke in Borneo (Malaysia), Crimean War
2. But also other areas of interest in the 19th Century (3- books - take place in America, Madagascar, Congress of Berlin, etc.)
D. Dark ironic humor
E. Very popular in Britain and also Australia.  Not popular in America. (Or is it?)  Therefore, my introduction for Americans
II. My Experience
A. Books recommended to me by British friends (one in Japan, one in Cambodia)
B. Books easily available in Melbourne, Australia
C. Disclaimers
1. Part of my Scripted Review series--10 years old in memory now--Correct me if I misremember something
2. I’m going to repeat information when I review individual books
III. Origins of Flashman.  Tom Brown’s Schooldays
A. Flashman comes from an old 19th Century classic novel.  Tom Brown’s Schooldays
B. 1857 Novel by Thomas Hughes, but takes place in 1834 to 1842
C. Semi-autobiographical(?)--incorporates real places (Rugby school--yes, that rugby) and real people (Thomas Arnold)--this is why it works perfectly in Flashman universe--meta
D. Influential in 19th Century--Ulysses S. Grant was a fan
E. Largely forgotten in America (or am I wrong?), but I believe it’s still popular in Britain. 
1. Still adapted for film and television
2. British people use it as shorthand to describe traumatic boarding school experience--my friend, and Simon Sebag Montefiore
F. Premise of the book--Tom Brown goes to Rugby Boarding school, friend Harry Scud East.  Has to stand up against bullies,
G. Heavily moralizing in focus, but code of the schoolyard type morality: Never pick on boys smaller than you, but don't be afraid to stand up to bullies even if they are bigger than you. Never shirk from a fight if challenged. Always throw yourself fully into sports without worrying about getting injured. A certain amount of mischief is natural for a young boy, but never lie or be dishonest about it when caught.
H. Except for the second half--Bible study (P.G. Wodehouse--Tom Brown Question)
I. Flashman is the bully
J. Malfoy Comparison--Malfoy series 150 years from now, historical fiction--Analogy too on the nose?
K. Flashman’s qualities: Complete opposite of what the book is preaching.  Delights in tormenting younger boys (Sadist?), but toadies to older boys.  Runs when challenged.  Dominates 2nd quarter of the book, and then gets expelled.
L. Tom Brown’s Schooldays verdict--You should probably read it.  1st Flashman book starts directly from it.  (Flashman being expelled).  Flashman books are constantly referencing back to Tom Brown’s Schooldays.  1st 6 books especially.  Tom Brown, Scud East, Speedicut, etc.  Tom Brown and East exaggerated.  Typical?
M. Meta--Flashman is aware he’s portrayed by Thomas Hughes.  Complains about it.  Flashman in the Great Game--He finds out the book has been published.  Other books reference back.
N. Yes, it’s a bit slow and boring.  But this is booktube, you’re probably a classic nerd.  (I got about 50 pages in myself, and then read it alongside Flashman)
IV. Status
A. Historical fiction.  Forest Gump. At all key points.
B. 1st Flashman 1969.  Classic? Everyman library FLASHMAN, FLASH FOR FREEDOM!, FLASHMAN IN THE GREAT GAME
C. Orientalism (2005 HarperCollins trade paperback)
D. Historical notes. Great, detailed: sensationalism (Is it the best thing?  Fair enough for historical fiction.  Sometimes bias creeps in.  Flashman and the Mountain of Light: debauchery, orgies, and intrigue in the court of Lahore seem to read like they may have been exaggerated by credulous Victorians.  Flashman and the Angel of the Lord: Benjamin Franklin working for Benjamin Franklin)
V. Flashman book 
A. British in Afghanistan--First Anglo-Afghan War.  Timing works out perfectly (1842)
B. Afghanistan stand in for Vietnam in 1969
C. 2010, Afghanistan was a stand-in for Afghanistan
D. Assassination of Sir Alexander Burnes--backed up by footnotes
E. Comic--Flashman crying as he has to defend the fort
F. Rape
1. I didn’t notice until a couple years later--amazon
2. In character--and it comes back to bite him later--she gets her revenge
3. Off-hand description
4. 1969--more risque.  Lots of other politically incorrect stuff
5. 3 options. Don’t forgive, Dark but forgive, Perfectly fine--he’s an anti-hero after all
VI. Royal Flash--Parody of Prisoner of Zenda. Fictional kingdom.  but this is the only one (bookended by real history--1848.  Lola, Wagner, Marx)
VII. Goes in order until 6th book--1975 Flashman’s Lady.  Jumping around in order increases the joke about being at all the key places.
VIII. Politics?
A. Always took delight in being politically incorrect--especially by today’s Standards (Flashman and the Redskins).  Guilty pleasure
B. Honor of the British Empire--The Charge of the Light Brigade (Flashman at the Charge)
C. Flashman less of a threat
D. My own politics--anti-Imperialist.  Comfortable
E. Politics changed--defense of the British Empire
F. Afghanistan example--General Elphinston case.  Is it anti-war (Vietnam) or pro-war (Elphinston concessions) (History Buffs--but he probably got it from Flashman)
G. But hard to categorize, even later books
IX. Mr American
A. Not Cameo--dominates the middle part
B. 88-92 (But published in 1980)
C. Different book: War and Peace--very well written
D. No footnotes. But a lot of historical characters
E. Edward VII--some history with Flashman.  Falstaff and Prince Hal
X. Black Ajax
A. Flashman’s father, but Flashman himself is only alluded to
B. Problematic book--save that for another review
XI. Royal Flash movie
A. Hated by fans--not a lot of information online)
B. Skipped first one. (Money?  Problematic?)  2nd book not liked by fans.
C. Lots of talented people--Oliver Reed, Malcolm McDowell
D. Friend couldn’t watch it.   (Blond).  I thought it was okay.  Faithful to the book, but had the feeling of trudging through it.
E. But had its moments

Lots more to say, but… individual reviews