Balladeer’s Blog’s original reviews of The Top Five Harry Flashman Novels were such a hit I followed it up with bonus reviews of what I consider the 6th through 10th novels. It may be a few weeks until I finish any of my reviews of the remaining books in the series so here’s quick links to the 6th – 10th place selections.
SIXTH PLACE
FLASHMAN AND THE MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT (1990) – Time period: First Sikh War (1845-1846) Harry’s bed and battle adventures during the First Sikh War. The Mountain of Light of the title refers to the Koh-I-Noor (“Mountain of Light”) Diamond, at that time in the possession of the Maharani Jeendan of the Punjab. CLICK HERE
SEVENTH PLACE
FLASHMAN AND THE REDSKINS (1982) – Time period: 1849-1850 and 1875-1876 This novel deals with Flashman’s escapades with the Forty-Niners on the way to the California gold fields during the Gold Rush. Features Pawnee, Arapaho, Sioux and Apaches. The second part finds Harry reluctantly (as always) involved in the Sioux Uprising including Little Big Horn and its aftermath. CLICK HERE
EIGHTH PLACE
FLASHMAN (1969) – Time period: 1839-1842 The novel that started it all follows our favorite British blackguard from his infamous expulsion from Rugby for drunken misconduct, to his purchase of an officer’s position in the British Cavalry, his marriage to Elspeth and finally his peril-filled exploits in the First Afghan War. CLICK HERE Continue reading
DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The top seeds – the CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS – took on the 8th seeded NEBRASKA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE SENTINELS (formerly the Parsons). The Sentinels were never really in this game as the Yellow Jackets held a 41-28 Halftime lead and then parlayed that into an 80-58 blowout win. Branden Maughmer scored 20 points to lead Cedarville University. 
DAY ONE, GAME TWO – The 2nd seeded ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE REDHAWKS clashed with the 7 seed – the PIEDMONT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BRUINS (formerly the Conquerors). The Redhawks were clinging to a close 34-31 edge at the Half. After the break Roberts Wesleyan College squeezed out a bit more separation from the Bruins to win it 70-60. Peyton McLaurin led the Redhawks with his 23 points. 
March Madness 
Balladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s Golden Age stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK 
ALL STAR COMICS #27 (Winter 1945 – On sale date Nov 13th) 
Synopsis: In very late 1945 some superhero comic books featured their last few World War Two-centered stories, with the implication being that they had happened earlier in the year when the war still raged. Others moved on into the Post-War Era while others were a mixture, like this Justice Society tale. 
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY COUGARS went up against the OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS for the title in NAIA Division Two. The Cougars wound up on top of the Hustlin’ Owls 44-35 by Halftime. In the 2nd Half Oregon Tech inched a little bit closer but was ultimately left behind as Spring Arbor U won it 82-76. Brandon Durnell led the victors with THIRTY-TWO points. * THE COUGARS ARE CHAMPIONS OF NAIA DIVISION TWO * 
DISTRICT 203 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 3 seeds – the MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE STORMERS – faced the top seeded SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS. The Stormers put the Bulldogs on Upset Alert with a 39-37 edge at the break, then carried through on the deal, winning the game by a score of 75-72. Twenty-three points from Shannon Stanford led Milwaukee Area Tech. * THE STORMERS ADVANCE TO THE NJCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT * 
DISTRICT 207 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this matchup the DAKOTA COUNTY TECH BLUE KNIGHTS clashed with the SOUTHEAST (NE) COLLEGE STORM. By the midpoint of the game the Blue Knights had eked out a 41-39 lead over the Storm. After the break the two teams went basket for basket, scoring 43 more points each as Dakota County Tech won an 84-82 Instant Classic. Dashawn Walker tossed in 23 points to lead the victors. * THE BLUE KNIGHTS ADVANCE TO THE NJCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT * 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS played the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES in Final Four action. The Hustlin’ Owls had the Coyotes on the ropes by Halftime with a massive 52-29 lead. After the break Oregon Tech weathered a minor College of Idaho rally to defeat them 93-81. Seth Erickson put up 27 points to lead the Hustlin’ Owls. 
DISTRICT TWO CHAMPIONSHIP – The NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M GOLDEN NORSEMEN fought the CONNORS STATE COWBOYS. The Golden Norsemen held a 38-29 advantage at the break but the Cowboys wouldn’t go away and even held a few late leads before Northeastern Oklahoma A&M won the game 67-65 off a Rudi Williams jumper with 1.6 seconds to play. Kyle Lukasiewicz and Samkelo Cole led the way with 16 points each. * THE GOLDEN NORSEMEN ADVANCE TO THE NJCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT * 
MARK ZUCKERBERG: I figure if I’m not capable of experiencing emotions there’s no reason that people who have less money than I do should get to experience them either. 
MARK ZUCKERBERG: I don’t understand it, so it must be Hate Speech. It would be banned for violation of community standards. 
LA DAME DE MONSOREAU (1846) – A collaboration with Auguste Maquet. The title refers to the beautiful and fascinating Countess Diana de Monsoreau and her illicit romance with the novel’s male lead, Louis de Clermont de Bussy d’Amboise. Both characters are real but naturally Dumas and Maquet take the usual poetic license accorded to historical fiction. 
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS squared off against the WILLIAMS COLLEGE EPHS (“eephs”). By Halftime the Captains were clinging to a slight 32-30 edge over the Ephs. After the break Christopher Newport University inched further and further away from their opponents, ultimately winning the game by a score of 79-70. Marcus Carter led the Captains with 27 points. 
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – In this game the SWARTHMORE COLLEGE GARNET played the NICHOLS COLLEGE BISON. The Garnet were on top of the Bison 32-23 at the midpoint. In the 2nd Half Nichols College rallied but Swarthmore College held them off for a 69-65 victory. Twenty points from Zac O’Dell led the way for the Garnet. 
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this tournament were the 4th seeded OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY AMBASSADORS and the Cinderella 7 seeds – the BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES. The opening Half was a tale of stellar defense from both teams and ended with the Ambassadors on top 26-22. After the break each team went basket for basket, putting up 35 more points. Oakwood University won the game 61-57 led by 20 points from Edmen Stewart. * THE AMBASSADORS ARE USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS * 
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this tournament’s title tilt the 2 seeds – the GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS – did battle with the 4th seeded GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS. The Tigers seemed in control with a 55-38 Halftime lead but from there the Crusaders came back to force Overtime with a 75-75 tie. In Overtime Kellum Bridgeforth hit a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left to give Grace Christian University an 84-83 win. Bridgeforth led his team with 21 points. * THE TIGERS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF NCCAA DIVISION TWO * 
