1:12 Flashman on Lord Cardigan's behavior at the Russian guns following the Charge of the Light Brigade: ... But after we'd reached the battery he'd barely paused to exchange a cut or two with the Ruski gunners before heading for home and safety again. Shocking bad form for a commander, says I, who was trying to hide under a gun limber at the time ...

1:102 Flashman describes the job of a political agent: ... and it's part of the job to scream at your own shadow ...

2:95 Flashman discusses the need to keep quiet about the attempt to murder him at the Queen's castle at Balmoral: Admittedly, you can't have it getting about that her guests have been trying to slaughter each other; the poor woman [Queen Victoria] probably had enough trouble getting people to visit, with Albert about the place.

3:25-26 John Nicholson and Flashman discuss the misguided religious beliefs of the population in India:

• Nicholson: "... And they are such simple folk. And there eyes are closed. D'you know," he went on, "there's a sect in Kashmir that even worships me?"
• Flashman: "Good for you," says I, "D'ye take up a collection?"

3:53-54 Flashman and Captain Skene discuss the attitude of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi:

• Skene: "She's damn bitter, you see - when her husband died, old Raja Gangadar, he left no children of his own - well, he was an odd bird, really," and Skene blushed furiously and avoided my eye. "Used to go about in female dress most of the time, and wore bangles and ... and perfume, you see - "
• Flashman: "No wonder she was bitter." says I.

4:79 Flashman on grovelling to women: ... but I don't hold to grovelling to pretty women, not unless the danger's desperate or I'm short of cash.

4:138 The effect of Lakshmibai on Flashman (as she walked toward him swaying her naked body in time to the throbbing music): I could only gape; whether it was the drink or admiration or what, I don't know, but I seemed paralysed in every limb but one.

5:1 Flashman on impersonations: Why, I've been a Danish prince, a Texas slave-dealer, an Arab sheik, a Cheyenne Dog Soldier, and a Yankee navy lieutentant in my time, among other things, and none of 'em was as hard to sustain as my lifetime's impersonation of a British officer and gentleman.

6:59 Flashman's approach to obtaining provisions while travelling: I didn't stand on ceremony, but just lurched in snarling and brandishing my Colt, kicking the cowed inhabitants aside, and lifting whatever I fancied - I've never been more grateful for my English public school upbringing than I was then.

7:116 Advice on how to properly be dragged behind a horse over rough ground and how Flasy faired: If any of the young fellows ever find yourself in the predicament, where you're dragged over rough, iron-hard ground, with or without a mob of yelling black fiends after you, take a word of advice from me. Keep your head up (screaming helps), and above all try to be dragged on your back - it will cost you a skinned arse, but that's better than having your organs scraped off ... I was half-conscious and virtually buttockless ...

9:142 Flashman's delirious thoughts after a harrowing escape: And then I must have swooned away, for all I can remember is Delafosse saying: "I believe they are friends - see Thomson, they are waving to us - they mean us no harm", and myself thinking if it's the muggers [crocodiles] waving, don't you trust the bastards an inch, they're only pretending to be friendly ...