For years a few friends have been urging me to read the Flashman books, I wish I'd taken their advice. I read the first book over the weekend and laughed and chuckled my my all the way the end. For those who don't know, Harry Flashman is a coward, cad, bounder and generally likeable rogue who's various exploits find his fictional character caught up in the middle of many landmark events of the 19th century.

The first book, Flashman, finds 'Flashy' smack bang in the middle of events in Afghanistan in 1842 when the British retreated from Kabul. Flashman's survival lies solely on his innate sense of self preservation at all costs. All in all an excellent boys own adventure.

Great fun at 8/10.