The Book Topic, under Tanknet Library sub forum. Yes We have a book topic thread!

[17thfabn]

Calling all those that love a good book!

I was looking for the book topic thread. It is under the Tank Net Library sub forum.

The thread has gotten a little stale but with those of us who love to read maybe we can get it going again.

Jump in and share your recommendations and critiques of books.

 

Edited June 5, 2022 by 17thfabn

[Soren Ras]

I have embarked on yet another re-reading of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books (including catching up on a few I missed entirely) and George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman books.  Mentally, they are like slipping into a hot bath after a long day's hard work. 

Re Pratchett, the two earliest Discworld books are clearly the weakest in the series IMO. Guards! Guards! would be my recommended starting point. If that doesn't float your boat, no point in continuing. If it does, you are in for many treats.

And the Flashman series ought to be mandatory reading, basically.

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Soren

[Rick]

 I have his book "Quartered Safe Out Here" a good read indeed.  I admit to not knowing about the Flashman series of books and had to look it up. It appears that Mr. Fraser's Flashman series -- minus the sex and possible inherent cowardliness  -- roughly analogous to Louis L'Amour's Sackett series. If you have not read Mr. L'Amour's books, especially the Sackett series, I would suggest it. It offers a natural view of what a man should be. 

Edited June 8, 2022 by Rick

[Soren Ras]

Thanks. I have indeed read the Sackett series, although many years ago. Might be time for a reread.

The character of Flashman serves mainly as a vehicle for allowing Fraser to delve into various 19th century conflicts in a way that is both very entertaining and extremely rewarding if you have any interest in history, as Fraser was quite meticulous about his research, and the books are an excellent way to learn about events and places that might otherwise not have been on one's radar, as it were. A libidinous rogue and an undoubted scoundrel Harry Flashman might be, but he is also a very keen and fair observer of human nature with no appetite for politically correct sentiments or attitudes.

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Soren

[Rick]

12 minutes ago, Soren Ras said:

Thanks. I have indeed read the Sackett series, although many years ago. Might be time for a reread.

The character of Flashman serves mainly as a vehicle for allowing Fraser to delve into various 19th century conflicts in a way that is both very entertaining and extremely rewarding if you have any interest in history, as Fraser was quite meticulous about his research, and the books are an excellent way to learn about events and places that might otherwise not have been on one's radar, as it were. A libidinous rogue and an undoubted scoundrel Harry Flashman might be, but he is also a very keen and fair observer of human nature with no appetite for politically correct sentiments or attitudes.

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Soren

I'll have to start reading his series, thanks for posting this. 

[sunday]

14 minutes ago, Soren Ras said:

The character of Flashman serves mainly as a vehicle for allowing Fraser to delve into various 19th century conflicts in a way that is both very entertaining and extremely rewarding if you have any interest in history, as Fraser was quite meticulous about his research, and the books are an excellent way to learn about events and places that might otherwise not have been on one's radar, as it were. A libidinous rogue and an undoubted scoundrel Harry Flashman might be, but he is also a very keen and fair observer of human nature with no appetite for politically correct sentiments or attitudes.

I concur. Those books are kind of a light, but solid, introduction to war and imperial politics in the Victorian era. Of course, every historical character that was more or less successful against Imperial England is depicted as a very evil villain by MacDonald-Fraser.

Another very good series by him are the McAuslan books, that came to be the second part of GMF military memoirs, this time as a subaltern in the Gordon Highlanders doing garrison duties, mostly in North Africa.