I found this book while doing research on the Philippine Insurrection. It is an excellent story of one officer's experiences across the American west and finally to the Philippines where he had some horrific encounters with outlaw bands, Moro brigands who seemed bullet proof and fearless. His adventures are well written and filled with period knowledge and his vantage point was always from the saddle or between bamboo stalks while Moro bandits slashed away with their razor-edged barongs. Suberb history that should be taught in school. Also recommended "Muddy Glory" and "Little Brown Brother" for some top-notch history during America's first Vietnam.

Smith's biography on Emilio is great. He truly details his life from his origins in Germany and Russia to the end of his life in the United States. I believe the most interesting thing is the fact that the US government used him as something close to a spy during WWI. Any conversation held in German was reported by Kosterlitzky to the government. WOW!