Flashman Books in Order

Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start

For readers diving into the adventures of Thomas Flashman, the best starting point is the very first novel, Flashman and the Seawolf. Robert Brightwell introduces the character here, establishing his roguish nature, his instinct for self-preservation, and his recurring association with the real-life naval legend Lord Thomas Cochrane. Reading the series in its publication order is highly recommended, as it allows you to follow the author's development of the character and the ongoing narrative threads of Thomas's relationships and career.

Thomas Flashman Series in Publication Order

Robert Brightwell began publishing the Adventures of Thomas Flashman in 2012. The series spans 11 primary books and one companion short story. Here is the order in which the books were released:

• Flashman and the Seawolf (2012) - Thomas joins Lord Cochrane in the Mediterranean, dodging French warships and smuggling rings.
• Flashman and the Cobra (2012) - Set in India during Arthur Wellesley's campaigns and post-Reign of Terror France.
• Flashman in the Peninsula (2014) - Thomas finds himself in Spain at the outbreak of the Peninsular War.
• Flashman's Escape (2014) - Following the retreat from Corunna, Thomas scrambles to survive the ongoing Peninsular Campaign.
• Flashman and Madison's War (2015) - Thomas is sent to North America during the War of 1812, encountering the Burning of Washington.
• Flashman's Waterloo (2016) - Thomas is reluctantly placed at the center of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
• Flashman and the Emperor (2017) - Set in the 1820s, Thomas reunites with Cochrane to assist in the independence wars of Chile and Brazil.
• Flashman and the Golden Sword (2018) - Shipwrecked on the West African Gold Coast, Thomas becomes entangled in the First Anglo-Ashanti War.
• Flashman at the Alamo (2019) - Thomas travels to Texas in 1836, finding himself trapped in the famous siege of the Alamo.
• Flashman and the Zulus (2020) - Set in 1837–1838, Thomas navigates the dangerous conflicts between the Boers and the Zulu Kingdom in South Africa.
• Flashman's Winter (2021) - Thomas joins a British mission to Prussia during the Jena Campaign of 1806. Note: This book also includes the standalone holiday novella Flashman's Christmas.

Chronological Reading Order: The Historical Timeline

While publication order is the standard path, reading chronologically offers a direct timeline of the Napoleonic and Georgian eras. The main exception to the publication order is Flashman's Winter, which was published last but takes place early in Thomas's career (1806), filling the gap between India and Spain. The holiday story Flashman's Christmas takes place shortly after Waterloo in late 1815.

Here is how the series fits together chronologically by historical setting:

1. Flashman and the Seawolf (Set in 1800–1801) - Focuses on the Mediterranean naval warfare.
2. Flashman and the Cobra (Set in 1803) - Focuses on the Second Anglo-Maratha War in India.
3. Flashman's Winter (Set in 1806) - Focuses on the War of the Fourth Coalition in Prussia.
4. Flashman in the Peninsula (Set in 1808) - Focuses on the start of the Peninsular War in Spain.
5. Flashman's Escape (Set in 1809–1811) - Focuses on the later campaigns in Portugal and Spain.
6. Flashman and Madison's War (Set in 1812–1814) - Focuses on the War of 1812 in North America.
7. Flashman's Waterloo (Set in 1815) - Focuses on the Hundred Days and the Battle of Waterloo.
8. Flashman's Christmas (Set in late 1815) - A short novella depicting a post-Waterloo jailbreak in Paris.
9. Flashman and the Emperor (Set in 1822) - Focuses on Napoleon's legacy and South American liberation.
10. Flashman and the Golden Sword (Set in 1824) - Focuses on the clash with the Ashanti Empire in West Africa.
11. Flashman at the Alamo (Set in 1835–1836) - Focuses on the Texas Revolution.
12. Flashman and the Zulus (Set in 1837–1838) - Focuses on early colonial South Africa.

What to Know Before You Start: Uncle Thomas vs. Nephew Harry

Readers of historical fiction are likely familiar with the legendary Flashman Papers series by George MacDonald Fraser, which follows the Victorian cad Harry Flashman. Robert Brightwell wrote the Adventures of Thomas Flashman as a deliberate homage to Fraser's style, positioning Thomas as Harry's uncle. However, there are key distinctions that new readers should keep in mind:

• Historical Era: Harry's exploits are set in the Victorian era (starting in 1839), while Thomas's adventures cover the preceding Regency and Georgian eras (1800–1838).
• Protagonist Tone: While both characters are self-centered cowards who manage to claim unearned glory, Thomas Flashman is generally depicted as a less cruel and more sympathetic protagonist than Harry. He displays moments of genuine empathy, such as writing letters for illiterate crewmates or assisting underdogs, making him a slightly softer rogue.
• Narrative Grounding: Brightwell utilizes the same mock-memoir format complete with explanatory footnotes, ensuring that historical details, naval tactics, and political background remain highly accurate.

The Spin-Off: The Assignment Series

If you finish Thomas's memoirs and want to keep reading within the same fictional universe, Robert Brightwell has written a spin-off series called the Assignment Series. This collection jumps ahead to the late Victorian era and follows Thomas Harrison, the grandson of Thomas Flashman.

Unlike his grandfather and cousin, Harrison is not a soldier but a war correspondent attempting to remain an impartial observer during major historical conflicts. The series currently includes:

• Assignment Paris (2022) - Follows Harrison in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War and the Siege of Paris.
• Assignment Sudan (2024) - Set during the expedition to Khartoum to rescue General Gordon in the Mahdist War.

Practical Reader Advice

Can these books be read as standalones? Yes, for the most part. Each volume covers a distinct historical campaign or conflict, and Brightwell provides enough context that a reader will not feel lost if they pick up a book out of order. However, the recurring characters and references to Thomas's past exploits make chronological or publication order the most rewarding experience. The transition from the Peninsular War in Flashman in the Peninsula to the flight in Flashman's Escape is one of the few places where a direct two-part narrative exists, making it highly advisable to read those two together.