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McAuslan
The Complete McAuslan
George MacDonald Fraser’s hilarious stories of the most disastrous soldier in the British Army – collected together for the first time in one volume.
Private McAuslan, J., the Dirtiest Soldier in the Word (alias the Tartan Caliban, or the Highland Division’s answer to the Pekin Man) first demonstrated his unfitness for service in The General Danced at Dawn. He continued his disorderly advance, losing, soiling or destroying his equipment, through the pages of McAuslan in the Rough. The final volume, The Sheikh and the Dustbin, pursues the career of the great incompetent as he shambles across North African and Scotland, swinging his right arm in time with his right leg and tripping over his untied laces.
His admirers know him as court-martial defendant, ghost-catcher, star-crossed lover and golf caddie extraordinary. Whether map-reading his erratic way through the Sahara by night or confronting Arab rioters, McAuslan’s talent for catastrophe is guaranteed. Now, for the first time, the inimitable McAuslan stories are collected together in one glorious volume.
Private McAuslan, J., the Dirtiest Soldier in the Word (alias the Tartan Caliban, or the Highland Division’s answer to the Pekin Man) first demonstrated his unfitness for service in The General Danced at Dawn. He continued his disorderly advance, losing, soiling or destroying his equipment, through the pages of McAuslan in the Rough. The final volume, The Sheikh and the Dustbin, pursues the career of the great incompetent as he shambles across North African and Scotland, swinging his right arm in time with his right leg and tripping over his untied laces.
His admirers know him as court-martial defendant, ghost-catcher, star-crossed lover and golf caddie extraordinary. Whether map-reading his erratic way through the Sahara by night or confronting Arab rioters, McAuslan’s talent for catastrophe is guaranteed. Now, for the first time, the inimitable McAuslan stories are collected together in one glorious volume.
596 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2000
84 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
George MacDonald Fraser
115 books686 followersGeorge MacDonald Fraser is best known for his Flashman series of historical novels, purportedly written by Harry Flashman, a fictional coward and bully originally created by Thomas Hughes in Tom Brown's School Days. The novels are presented as "packets" of memoirs written by the nonagenarian Flashman, who looks back on his days as a hero of the British Army during the 19th century. The series begins with Flashman, and is notable for the accuracy of the historical settings and praise from critics. P.G. Wodehouse said of Flashman, “If ever there was a time when I felt that ‘watcher-of-the-skies-when-a-new-planet’ stuff, it was when I read the first Flashman.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 5, 2016
I am so pleased that I managed to borrow a fistful of George MacDonakd Fraser's books from my brother.
They are all doozies.
The dirtiest soldier in the world is an inspired comedic creation. I laughed until I nearly wet myself.
They are all doozies.
The dirtiest soldier in the world is an inspired comedic creation. I laughed until I nearly wet myself.
August 31, 2012
Possibly my favourite 3 books ever bound together in 1 volume. Fraser writes this as fiction but it is all based on his own experiences after the end of World War II, a young and inexperienced officer put in charge of a platoon of wily Scotsmen in North Africa. It takes you on an hilarious journey, escapades that will make your hair stand on end and also have you holding your sides trying to stop the pain as you laugh so much. They sailed close to the wind many, many times. I first read these books as a teenager rooting through my parents' bookcases trying to find something interesting and have read them many times over the years. This volume brings them all together in one book, there is never a year goes by that I don't dig this out for a read. Macauslan (the dirtiest soldier in the world) has been a friend of mine for 30 years. I often think that perhaps it appeals to me because I am a Glaswegian and have met many people who would fit the characters in these books, but my own grandmother, who was an autocratic, self important snob and never displayed any sign of a sense of humour in her life, loved these books too. This volume has a nice surprise at the end that isn't included in any of the books (as far as I know) in their individual print runs. Mr. Fraser meets up with his old Colonel in London, no secrets are revealed as to Macauslan's identity though.
Well worth a read and if just one person enjoys it as much as I have, I will be pleased.
Well worth a read and if just one person enjoys it as much as I have, I will be pleased.
January 4, 2019
I'm confident in saying that the McAuslan stories are the most entertaining tales I've ever read. The stories in this omnibus are inspired by Fraser's experiences as a subaltern of the Gordon Highlanders in the years immediately following the second World War.
If ever there was an author suited to write stories like these, it would be George Macdonald Fraser. Fraser's keen writing and masterful rendering of the various Scottish accents gives the stories an element of realism and immeasurable charm and humor. They just wouldn't be the same without Fraser's incredible talent.
The stories themselves are mostly lighthearted tales steeped in nostalgia, but Fraser doesn't bother to shy away from the more unsavory aspects of those times, either. I get the sense that reading these stories gives as accurate a representation of the post-war Gordon Highlanders (and to a certain extent the whole British army) as reading any non-fiction account or memoir. The good-natured humor is the main attraction in these stories, but the frank observations about humanity sprinkled here and there are just as compelling, I thought.
I cannot say enough about how much fun I had reading the McAuslan stories. And while these stories certainly appealed to me partly because of my obscure interest in Highland regiments (particularly the Gordons), I am sure that the humor transcends niche audiences like me and can appeal to a wider audience.
If ever there was an author suited to write stories like these, it would be George Macdonald Fraser. Fraser's keen writing and masterful rendering of the various Scottish accents gives the stories an element of realism and immeasurable charm and humor. They just wouldn't be the same without Fraser's incredible talent.
The stories themselves are mostly lighthearted tales steeped in nostalgia, but Fraser doesn't bother to shy away from the more unsavory aspects of those times, either. I get the sense that reading these stories gives as accurate a representation of the post-war Gordon Highlanders (and to a certain extent the whole British army) as reading any non-fiction account or memoir. The good-natured humor is the main attraction in these stories, but the frank observations about humanity sprinkled here and there are just as compelling, I thought.
I cannot say enough about how much fun I had reading the McAuslan stories. And while these stories certainly appealed to me partly because of my obscure interest in Highland regiments (particularly the Gordons), I am sure that the humor transcends niche audiences like me and can appeal to a wider audience.
September 19, 2009
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.
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.
February 3, 2017
I read this many years ago- roughly 15- and I still think this is the epitome of military humor. These are roman-a-clef stories about GMF's life as a post-WWII officer in the Gordon Highlanders, and can be seen as a companion to his WWII memoir, "Quartered Safe Out Here". In contrast to "Quartered" he cranks up the humor, and populates his anecdotes with incredible characters. This collection will be many things to many people- a primer on leadership as a junior officer, a love letter to Scottish culture, an interesting account of military operations in post-conflict environments, or just simply military hijinks (to paraphrase a friend who was less than impressed with it). Highly recommended. This is one of three books I've given out as presents, multiple times.
November 26, 2022
Private McAuslan reviews:
See your man Fraser? Aye, wull, he's written a gey lot of books aboot Flashman, and they're stotters, so they are. But this yins different; it's all aboot his time as an officer in ra Gordon Highlanders, in ra desert, after ra war. There's some awfy guid baurs in this book, and some smashin' characters, and a wee bit canny observation, too. Ah liked it fine, but. He only got wan thing wrang; ah'm no dirty. Ra court-martial said so.
See your man Fraser? Aye, wull, he's written a gey lot of books aboot Flashman, and they're stotters, so they are. But this yins different; it's all aboot his time as an officer in ra Gordon Highlanders, in ra desert, after ra war. There's some awfy guid baurs in this book, and some smashin' characters, and a wee bit canny observation, too. Ah liked it fine, but. He only got wan thing wrang; ah'm no dirty. Ra court-martial said so.
September 20, 2018
Me at the start of this book: "I don't understand a word of this"
Me at the end of this book: "Ninety twa, no' deid yet! Aw-haw-hey! They're the wee boys! Ah cannae ken whit Ah was aboot afore. Ah'm scunnered whit mahself, by Goad. Goin' tae get tore in on some muir of these stories by yon MacDonald Fraser, even though the MacDonalds is a' wi' the fairies, as everyone kens"
Me at the end of this book: "Ninety twa, no' deid yet! Aw-haw-hey! They're the wee boys! Ah cannae ken whit Ah was aboot afore. Ah'm scunnered whit mahself, by Goad. Goin' tae get tore in on some muir of these stories by yon MacDonald Fraser, even though the MacDonalds is a' wi' the fairies, as everyone kens"
August 4, 2018
Three short story collections gathered together in a single volume, chock full of period detail, obscure (to the American reader) British references and slang, and a necessary slog through a written Scottish patois, none of which impede the enjoyment of the read.
Fraser's tales of the British army at the tail end of the empire (both geographically and chronologically) are delightfully human, often poignant, and in hindsight even more bittersweet than when first written.
Fraser's tales of the British army at the tail end of the empire (both geographically and chronologically) are delightfully human, often poignant, and in hindsight even more bittersweet than when first written.
June 27, 2016
Oh aye, I'd read this in a day. Great fun! Thank God I never had him in my squad!
August 23, 2007
You'll laugh your head off! Funny goings on in a kilted regiment after WWII.
May 11, 2021
A stunningly flawless collection of short stories from the author of Flashman. Written with humour, intelligence and a maverick eye for character, the stories are a fictionalized reminiscence of the author's time serving as a junior officer in a regiment of Scottish Highlanders soon after the end of the Second World War. The Complete McAuslan brings together three previously published collections: 1970's The General Danced at Dawn, 1974's McAuslan in the Rough and 1988's The Sheikh and the Dustbin.
Told with an unsentimental wistfulness that borders on paradox, The Complete McAuslan is tonally similar to Fraser's peerless war memoir Quartered Safe Out Here. The members of Fraser's battalion are vividly brought to life, and I found I particularly enjoyed those stories which served as character studies of individual people (for example, 'Wee Wullie', 'Captain Errol' and 'The Sheikh and the Dustbin'). That said, there's huge variety in the stories – you'd never think service in a peacetime garrison could be so eventful – and even the sports stories (covering, amongst others, football in 'Play Up, Play Up, and Get Tore In' and golf in 'McAuslan in the Rough') are gripping. One of the most seemingly unassuming stories, 'General Knowledge, Private Information', sees the battalion competing in a general knowledge quiz, and even that's surprisingly tense.
The titular character, McAuslan, isn't the protagonist: I suppose they're called the McAuslan stories just because that's as good a name as any. Rather it is 'Dand MacNeill' who is the author in all but name. McAuslan is a recurring character, often referred to as 'the dirtiest soldier in the world'. Whilst a lot of the stories revolve around him, he's not the main focus and you don't have to be worried about a bunch of crude slapstick stories about some unkempt buffoon. That's not what these are. The McAuslan stories are a collection of gems, full of fully-realised characters, unsentimental pathos, strong storytelling and intelligent humour. Like Wee Wullie in the desert, I just wish they could have gone on for ever.
Told with an unsentimental wistfulness that borders on paradox, The Complete McAuslan is tonally similar to Fraser's peerless war memoir Quartered Safe Out Here. The members of Fraser's battalion are vividly brought to life, and I found I particularly enjoyed those stories which served as character studies of individual people (for example, 'Wee Wullie', 'Captain Errol' and 'The Sheikh and the Dustbin'). That said, there's huge variety in the stories – you'd never think service in a peacetime garrison could be so eventful – and even the sports stories (covering, amongst others, football in 'Play Up, Play Up, and Get Tore In' and golf in 'McAuslan in the Rough') are gripping. One of the most seemingly unassuming stories, 'General Knowledge, Private Information', sees the battalion competing in a general knowledge quiz, and even that's surprisingly tense.
The titular character, McAuslan, isn't the protagonist: I suppose they're called the McAuslan stories just because that's as good a name as any. Rather it is 'Dand MacNeill' who is the author in all but name. McAuslan is a recurring character, often referred to as 'the dirtiest soldier in the world'. Whilst a lot of the stories revolve around him, he's not the main focus and you don't have to be worried about a bunch of crude slapstick stories about some unkempt buffoon. That's not what these are. The McAuslan stories are a collection of gems, full of fully-realised characters, unsentimental pathos, strong storytelling and intelligent humour. Like Wee Wullie in the desert, I just wish they could have gone on for ever.
September 23, 2017
A fantastic series of short stories built around the immediate post-WWII years of the British Army abroad, mainly in North Africa. Human, humorous, with that dash of the romantic and tragic that makes the overall impact memorable. Fraser is best known for the comically sarcastic Flashman novels, but he serves a different cup of tea here. As he admits in an Afterward, the stories are all semi-autobiographical and based on real people, albeit with the storyteller's talent for adding the telling detail and "a bit o' plot to keep it moving." The character of McAuslan himself is only a side character in most of the stories, even missing in a couple of them, but he certainly is memorable when he's center stage. Even if he were missing entirely, though, the rest of the "cast," as it were, create a tapestry of interwoven characters that are not easily forgotten in the whole. I should point out that I am not a "Military" story fan; so, while these are all placed in military settings, there is no requirement to be such a fan. Oh, and Fraser's POV narrator is in a Scottish regiment, which adds a layer of humor, absurdity and existentialism of its own. You don't have to read through in a single set of sittings, probably better if you don't; still, as you near the end, you will find yourself reading faster and faster and, inevitably, wishing they would never end.
May 30, 2023
British army base stationed somewhere in North Africa (Morocco?) in 1946. There's no hot war so the army is focused on rifle cleaning, polishing shoes, drinking, and insubordination. The first story is about the enlisted men's soccer team. Glaswegians are all small, tough, wiry guys whose starvation diet in childhood left them much shorter than they should have been, all but Wee Wullie, who is a giant. The soccer team plays other British Army bases and then agrees to ship off to Malta to play some Navy guys. It's not Army vs. Navy football but rather, Navy vs. some minor league football team. McAuslan only features at the end of the tale because his special skill is getting drunk and messing up something important. There is an enormous amount of betting on the winning Army soccer team. I'm not sure I want to read all the stories in the book. The Army spending 3 days guarding a Catholic nunnery on the outskirts of the city from a huge Toureg migrant camp is marginally interesting. I may check the book out later and read the other stories.
September 3, 2018
Absolutely hilarious short stories about a battalion of Scottish soldiers in the immediate post WWII time period. Told from the viewpoint of the company D second in command Lt. McNeil. These are actually the somewhat expanded tales of the real life experience of the author, Fraser. Fraser is better known for the exploits of the roguish Flashman.
The stories revolve around Private McAuslan, the dirtiest man in the army. Slovenly, clumsy, illiterate, and unable to find his way out of a paper bag, McAuslan is tolerated, somewhat fondly, for his ineptness and his record of war service. In his own inimitable way, he wins a trivia contest for his company, succeeds in a night land navigation and evasion exercise, and survives a court-martial. Some of these are so funny that I was laughing too hard to keep reading. I couldn't see the words because of the tears.
I loved these stories.
The stories revolve around Private McAuslan, the dirtiest man in the army. Slovenly, clumsy, illiterate, and unable to find his way out of a paper bag, McAuslan is tolerated, somewhat fondly, for his ineptness and his record of war service. In his own inimitable way, he wins a trivia contest for his company, succeeds in a night land navigation and evasion exercise, and survives a court-martial. Some of these are so funny that I was laughing too hard to keep reading. I couldn't see the words because of the tears.
I loved these stories.
August 10, 2023
Read this all in full, from my prior service background, the characters felt so real and made me happy I never ended up in the sort of leadership position that had to deal with McAuslan's. It portrayed the sitting around and keeping each other out of trouble part of war which is the far more common experience not known to most.
If you want some military stories that aren't the blood and glory sort and more day to day routine Bill Murray Stripes type stories with some realism, humor, and some life lessons, I highly recommend this book!
If you want some military stories that aren't the blood and glory sort and more day to day routine Bill Murray Stripes type stories with some realism, humor, and some life lessons, I highly recommend this book!
September 5, 2019
Compelling reading of what is a thinly disguised autobiography of the author's experiences as a young officer in the British Army in the immediate post-WW2 period.
It's brilliant and illuminating when the attention is on the author's time in the Army. It's less so when he strays into events outside of this framework. The Gordon Women, for example, just doesn't work for me. The characters work in their setting, but struggle outside it.
It's an evocative piece of work.
It's brilliant and illuminating when the attention is on the author's time in the Army. It's less so when he strays into events outside of this framework. The Gordon Women, for example, just doesn't work for me. The characters work in their setting, but struggle outside it.
It's an evocative piece of work.
July 30, 2018
This an omnibus of three separate books. Stories told by lieutenant McNeil of the Highlander Brigade of the Queens army. Mostly the stories take place in North Africa, and often, but not always feature private (sometimes Corporal) McAuslan...the dirtiest soldier in the army. I enjoyed the Flashman stories better, although it has been a number of years since I've read any of them.
May 6, 2022
Not to be read in public transport
This book should definitely not be read on public transport or even any public places as other members of the public will no doubt think you should be locked away in a mental institution as you roll around the floor with tears of laughter screeching oh goad its no Me its McAuslan
This book should definitely not be read on public transport or even any public places as other members of the public will no doubt think you should be locked away in a mental institution as you roll around the floor with tears of laughter screeching oh goad its no Me its McAuslan
February 27, 2023
Gave up about half way through the final book in the trilogy.
At times amusing, generally well written, but often rather uninteresting.
Finally, I found McAuslan an unnecessary construct - most of these stories would have been fine without the dubious comedic injection of this character. This is probably why the first in the trilogy is the strongest as McAuslan doesn't intrude too much.
At times amusing, generally well written, but often rather uninteresting.
Finally, I found McAuslan an unnecessary construct - most of these stories would have been fine without the dubious comedic injection of this character. This is probably why the first in the trilogy is the strongest as McAuslan doesn't intrude too much.
July 30, 2017
I really enjoyed this big fat old-fashioned book populated with unabashedly old-fashioned characters. No enormous drama, just smiles and some small chuckles here and there. Even a few frowns. A thoroughly pleasant read.
September 22, 2017
This is one of the best books I've ever read. I can imagine all of the stories happening in real life. Fraser has a way of writing a story that leave you wanting to know what happened next, but content with the ending. RIP to GMF and the Colonel of 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
October 27, 2019
The complete adventures of Lt. Dand MacNeil and all the characters including the dirtiest soldier in the world, McAusland. A wonderful introduction to an author who is so much more than the Flashman books, which I really didn't care much for.
June 3, 2017
An incredibly accurate portrayal of life in the British Army. Decades may pass but the soldier remains the same. A wonderful book for anyone who has served.
January 18, 2019
McAuslan
This was a nice reminder of the simplicity of a soldier’s life on a day to day basis. Nothing much has changed in the armed forces. Nice read....
This was a nice reminder of the simplicity of a soldier’s life on a day to day basis. Nothing much has changed in the armed forces. Nice read....
June 7, 2019
So good
Really a fantastic set of stories that move quickly and are a riot. I strongly recommend having this in your library.
Really a fantastic set of stories that move quickly and are a riot. I strongly recommend having this in your library.
June 16, 2020
A winner from Fraser
September 3, 2020
I love GMF, Flashman is a legend. Finally got round to McAuslan and it is a good fictionalization of his army experiences. 2 caveats: I felt that the very negative descriptions of McAuslan at every of his entries to a story was way over the top - in fact, it became tedious. Secondly, I fully realise that we should not impose our modern morals and sensitivities on previous generations but I found the use of the world "wog" jarring in this day. It could have been left out quite easily without detracting from the stories.
February 7, 2021
First one hundred were tough to read but I buggered thru it. Love the book and laugh out loud at times.
March 27, 2021
Humorous.
Read
July 1, 2021ineresting and hughely entertaining
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews