We will sorely miss one of the last public figures in this country to have the courage to speak his own mind without worrying what the PC brigade thought.

An intelligent and witty writer and entertaining speaker, anyone who disliked Blair and Heath to that extent must have a had a good soul.

Q Russell, Haslemere, UK

A sad, sad day for British literature. GMF was a true legend of a writer. Completely unbowed by political correctness, he created (or perhaps that should be recreated) a very deep character. Is Flashman a coward, or is it a brutally honest depiction of courage? The historical research that went into every novel was obvious, and his books served as a history lesson as well as being hugely entertaining. I doubt we shall see a writer of GMF's ilk in the near future - a man who wrote exactly how he wished to, and damn anyone's eyes who didn't like it.

Stuart, Leicester, UK

RIP Mr Fraser---- I remember the pleasure of discovering Flashman in 1969 at the tender age of 17. At my advanced years (55) I just finished "Flashman On the March" this past Xmas. "Quartered Safe Out Here" was the best memoir of war I have ever read. He will be missed by his trove of readers on both sides of the pond. ---Goodbye Flashy

Dick Simmons, Huntington, West Virginia USA

I'll miss the old bugger.

I think I'll order a set of hardbacks and read them all over again and again. . .

fnusnuank, Gen, Switz

GMF's output over many years has given tremendous joy & pleasure to 3 generations of my family, as well as enabling me to bluff my way through chunks of 19th century British history. A great man, a great loss. My thoughts are with his family.

Jonathan, Bath, UK

Mr. Fraser provided me with many years of pleasure, both through his Flashman books but also McAuslan and the various one off's such as the Pyrates and Mr. American - I've read and re-read them all. He always replied personally to my letters of praise and I had the good fortune to shake hands with him on a couple of occasions at book signings in London. RIP George and thanks for the hours of pleasure that you gave me.

Nick, Seaford, UK

GMF has been my favorite author for almost 40 years. What a terrible loss. Perhaps we may hope that some unfinished Flashman manuscripts will also be published, perhaps even the long anticipated Civil War memoir. May Fraser and Flashman Rest in Peace.

Dennis Coffman, Denver, CO, USA

Desperately sad. I was hoping for one more Flashy adventure from the great man. I trust there will be a stiff glass of something and some flouncing beauties at the pearly gates to greet GMF. RIP sir, truely one of Britain's greats.

Peter, London,

One of the truly great historical and satirical voices in British literature has been stilled all too soon. From Flashman, to MacAusland to Black Ajax and Mr. American, no one captured the true British soul with humor and truth and what it really takes to be ahero like Fraser and he will be missed.

Larry Jacobs, Swampscott, MA, The colonies

I have never read his Flashman books but GMF's account of his war in Burma; Quartered safe out here, is the best and most realistic book on soldiering I have read.

tony , lifton, devon

What a sad day. This man has given me more sheer enjoyment than anyone else in print. Not only with the delightful Flashman stories, but also his McAuslan tales which are so realistic but are also quite hilarious and yet have a wonderful poignancy. Strangely enough I bought one of his books last night - The Reavers. Thank you George, for all the pleasure you gave us.

Peter Curzon, Swindon, Wiltshire

There will be laughter in heaven tonight. Thanks for making me laugh so much........

Captain Custard, Sydney, Australia

I will miss his books greatly. Aswell as the Flashman books Mr MacDonald Fraser wrote other fantastic novels - one of my favourites being "Pyrates".

A great writer and huge loss to the literary community and his many fans.

RIP

Andrew McCaughtrie, Peterborough, UK

You forgot to mention the outstanding 'McAuslan' tales, ie: 'The General Danced at Dawn', 'McAuslan in the Rough' and 'The Sheik and the Dustbin' plus one of the finest ever WWII stories, 'Quartered Safe Out Here' - GMF at his best.

Trevor R. Booker, Brightlingsea, Essex

A very sad loss, a great writer of both fact and fiction. I guess we'll never know the secret of Flashy in the American Civil War.

Gordon K, Durham, England

Really sad news. Was so looking forward to reading Flashman's adventures in the U.S. Civil War. Not surprisingly, he fought on both sides.
Jim Dey

jim dey, Champaign, Illinois, USA

A master writer, totally unafraid of the PC brigade.

A great man and a great loss.

PeterD, London,

Oh no, this is terrible news. I was hoping for one last, 13th Flashman book, but now it is not to be.

Andrew Ryan, London, UK

This is a very tragic day, he was one of the best British authors and the creator of one of greatest fictional characters ever!
Damn his blasted eyes

Pablo Jessop, London,

Apart from his fiction MacDonald Fraser is also famed as the author of "The Steel Bonnets", the best known and most popular reference work on the history of the Border Reivers. It is a lively account of troublesome tribesmen like the Armstrongs, Elliots, Charltons, Robsons and Millburns who inhabited both sides of the Anglo-Scottish border in Tudor and Elizabethan times.

David Simpson, Durham, County Durham