[gmw]

Originally Posted by Hitch

[...] The callous disregard for the effect that their behavior has, upon their various lovers, the results after they've been tricked or cajoled into stealing money/jewels from their husbands, etc., isn't given a moment's thought.[...]

If it had been only callous or unthinking that would be one thing, but in (at least) the case of Porthos, I believe the reader is actually supposed to find it funny. Of course I've met people that still would laugh at it, so I can't entirely blame the 17th century, but for the most part such people are unlikely to read this book.

Originally Posted by Dazrin

[...] It really is a terrible book and I really am curious why such a lousy tale would become the go-to book for "friends" and even "heroes". I'm sure there was some friendship between them but looking at d'Artagnan's actions after returning from England checking on his friends was mostly an afterthought and a way to keep himself from getting caught.

I think it's a case of the motto being mistaken for the story. I found that d'Artagnan's trip to England stripped away any illusions I may have had about “All for one, and one for all.” Each of the companions drops out through sheer stupidity until d'Artagnan is left to go on alone, and on his return, as you say, collecting the companions is almost an after-thought and an escape from his own troubles. And in each case the companion is still being ridiculous while also neglecting their supposed friendship and their duty to their king.

Thanks to cartoons and movie adaptations I will always associate the book title with big floppy hats, impractical boots, swords (but never muskets, which is rather odd), but most of all it is that catch-phrase: “All for one, and one for all.”. And yet it occurs only twice in the book - both times in quick succession near the end of chapter 9:

“And now, gentlemen,” said d’Artagnan, without bothering to explain his conduct to Porthos, “all for one and one for all—that’s our motto, isn’t it?”
“But still …” said Porthos.
“Hold out your hand and swear!” Athos and Aramis cried at once.
Defeated by example, grumbling quietly, Porthos held out his hand, and the four friends repeated with one voice the formula dictated by d’Artagnan:
“All for one and one for all.”

I can understand why Dumas didn't keep repeating it, but I do wonder how it later came to be pulled out and to stand in place of the story. Maybe it was a matter of: "This is from the famous Dumas, but it's completely horrible ... oh, look, there's a phrase that isn't offensive, let's pretend that's what the story is about." Maybe it became the catch phrase because the book really did need something to distract people from the actual story.