Does anyone (or anyone's dh/p/w) read books like Sharpe/flashman and can recommend something similar

I know someone who likes Cornwell/Sharpe and another one of his faves is the 'Aurelio Zen' series of detective novels by Michael Dibdin. They are set in Italy - 20th century, not historical. Bit of a departure but might be worth a look on Amazon.

Boris Akunin is good, as a clever pastiche of diffeent Authors' styles.

My dh also loves Robert Goddard (or do I mean Richard?) not really historical, but set in the past, very good fast-maoving thrillers.

Also Neil Gaiman- haven't read him myself- think he's more fantasy than historical

Rifles: Six Years with Wellington's Legendary Sharpshooters by Mark Urban is non-fiction, Napoleonic, military and a good read.

Ah yes I read one of those Akunin books recently. Good stuff!

Thought of another one - Boris Akunin. Russian historical fiction, C19th I think. Supposed to be very good.

LOL Orangina - I did do this and did find some books in the same vein.

Wessexgirl - he's tried the other cornwell books and didn't like the 'ancient' ones ... see, fussy I tell you ! He did read some other boy fighty ones set in the American civil war.

Legalalien - that looks perfect, I will definitely save that one for another occasion.

I really do appreciate all the suggestions - even if for me to save for another time... I know he is awkward (hence the thread ).

and not only that, they went on to view..... (yes, you've guessed it)

even more flashman books.

Haha, just did it with a flashman book and funnily enough, they went on to buy.....

6 more flashman books!

Have you thought of going to the books he likes in amazon and looking at "customers who bought your book, also went on to buy...."?

My DP loves Flashman - have you considered stuff like John Le Carre (the Smiley books)? Not comic, but intriguing/exciting ... Second the John Buchan recommendation (I love a bit of Hannay, me). Good luck!

Was going to leap in and recommend Patrick O Brian - then I read the OP properly!

Hornblower?

What about Bernard Cornwell's (Sharpe) other series of books - set in the Dark ages? Can't remember all the titles - one is called 'Lords of the North', though. There are about 5 in total so far, I think.

or (memories flooding back of being sent to the public library with specific instructions from my dad) alexander kent. Have just realised after twenty years that alexander kent is a nom de plume for douglas reeman.

right, back to work.

maybe this kind of series then:

www.amazon.co.uk/Surtees-95th-Rifles-William/dp/1846770858/ref=pd_sim_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1196957314&sr=8- 33.

But he's really missing out re: the dragons. Might have to order from amazon myself as have only read the first two books in the series!

(lots of Buchan set in early 20th centiry btw - Hannay series and others)

John Buchan? If he likes the historical angle, would go for Midwinter. Or The Free Fishers or Courts of the Morning (all great books)

Oooh thanks everyone - didn't realise this thread had had a resurgence.

Just to confirm, its more the historical military aspect he likes but is quite narrow minded in his tastes in that he likes the napoleonic-y era and first/second world war stuff. Don't think he'd go for Roman stuff (more my era) and not fantasy. Oh yes he is fussy !

This has given me some ideas though guys thanks.

To answer santagitta, I think George Macdonald Fraser is probably unique in writing comical-historical novels. Flashman is the bully from Tom Brown's Schooldays, and Fraser decided to invent his later career in a series of novels. He is, of course, a coward as well as a bully, but is always getting into scrapes that only enhance his reputation as a hero. There's always that farcical element, but they're still great adventure stories.

rofl at 'dark and sweary', lapin
I still think of it as 'tartan noir'

I believe the novels of Douglas Reeman are supposed to be good. I've never read one myself, but I think they're all naval stories set during the Napoleonic War.

I would recommend this

www.amazon.com/His-Majestys-Dragon-Temeraire-Book/dp/0345481283, nice blend of dragons and the Napoleonic wars (borrowed it from my dad, an inveterate flashman fan, when he was visiting and enjoyed it myself)

Does he do Roman historical fiction? If so, he might like Steven Saylor.

My dh seems to have similar likes and dislikes to yours, and has enjoyed these.

Darn! Was going to suggest Patrick O'Brien (except I couldn't think of his name).... thinks thinks thinks... mum likes that sort of stuff

God I adore Flashman - and Christopher Brookmyre is absolutely hilarious in a very dark and sweary Glaswegian way

Second Hornblower, they are great.

If he likes crime, I would heartily recommend the Inspector Banks series by Peter Robinson - I think there are about 14 of them so far.

I haven't read them, but have seen recommendations for an author called Sharon K. Penman's works - "Here be Dragons," "Falls the Shadow," "The Sunne in Splendor", "When Christs and the Saints Slept", etc. They're novelizations of the actual lives and events of English historical figures, such as Richard III, Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry VIII and so on, but with invented dialogue.