What do You think about The Complete McAuslan (2008)?
Absolute genius.I've always enjoyed reading Fraser but his real life experiences are on a par with what he writes in his fiction. I wish he'd written more.McAuslan is based on his post-war service with the Gordon Highlanders as a newly commissioned subaltern. Having come from several months of jungle combat in Burma, Fraser could have been forgiven for thinking his hard times were behind him.His platoon, his company, in fact the entire battalion appear to be full of eccentrics, political theorists, sportsmen, singers, criminals and brawlers. He brings the characters to life and can make even a game of golf interesting to read about.There is excitement too, like a possible outbreak of disease, quelling civil unrest or tracking bootleggers. McAuslan is a fantastic read and well worth your time.
—Féarghal Mac giobúin
A friend lent this book to me because he knew I have enjoyed the Flashman books by the same author.It is actually a compendium of three books about army life around the end of the Second World War. The narrator is supposed to be a fictitious green lieutenant, recently promoted from the ranks. Most of the action takes place in North Africa, mainly Libya, and one of the soldiers under Lt McNeill's command is McAuslan - the dirtiest soldier in the world. Not only dirty, but clearly a relative of Frank Spencer.To an innocent civilian such as myself, the books are not as hilarious as the Flashman books, which range over much of the history of the nineteenth century and are actually very educational as well as amusing. But they are a good read and I am sure that to millions of people who have served in the army they will ring many bells and induce long bouts of nostalgia.
—Vic Heaney
A semi-fictional (as in, just enough has been changed to avoid libel) pseudo-memoir of life in a post-World War Two Highland regiment. While titled for McAuslan, the "Dirtiest Soldier in the World," a number of the stories either don't involve McAuslan at all, or only in minor, tangential ways (though his presence throughout the book certainly makes itself known). Rather, Fraser presents a number of recollections, often funny, sometimes heartwarming, of his military days through the persona of Lt. Dand McNeill.This was picked up on a total whim, as military stories (fictional or non) aren't my usual interest, but I ended up greatly enjoying it...enough to occasionally mildly annoy my girlfriend, who was reading far more serious works and would occasionally find her her Very Serious Moments interrupted by my laughter at some antic or another.Definitely worth a read, especially if any or all of post-WWII Scottish Highland military history, football (soccer, that is), the Middle East, and dirty, scruffy, incompetent (but somehow ultimately somewhat lovable) louts strike any interest.
—Michael Hanscom
