Cousins Of Color

by William Schroder

Luzon, Philippines, 1899. Immersed in the chaos and brutality of America’s first overseas war of conquest and occupation, Private David Fagen has a decision to make - forsake his country or surrender his soul. The a young black man in search of respect and inclusion turns his back on Old Glory - and is hailed a hero of the Filipino fight for independence. Negro blood is just as good as a white man’s when spilled in defense of the American Way, or so Fagen believed. But this time his country seeks not justice but empire. Pandemonium rules Fagen’s world, anarchy the High Sheriff, and he knows every time he pulls the trigger, he helps enslave the people he came to liberate. Not just an account of an extraordinary black solider caught in the grip of fate and circumstance, Cousins of Color tells the story of Fagen’s love for the beautiful and mysterious guerilla fighter, Clarita Socorro, and his sympathy for her people’s struggle for freedom. Cousins also chronicles Colonel Fredrick Funston’s monomaniacal pursuit of victory at any cost and his daredevil mission to capture Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Philippine revolution. Other characters include the dangerously unstable Captain Baston, particularly cruel in his treatment of prisoners and Sergeant Warren Rivers, the father Fagen never had. Himself a Vietnam combat veteran, author William Schroder hurtles us through the harsh realities of this tropical jungle war and provides powerful insight into the dreams and aspirations of human souls corrupted and debased by that violent clash of cultures and national wills. Based on actual events, David Fagen’s pursuit of truth and moral purpose in the Philippine Campaign brings focus to America’s continuing obsession with conquest and racism and provides insight into many of today’s prevailing sentiments.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Nadine Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/14/11 Enjoyed this read, did not want it to end. Interesting historical info and story about black soldier in Spanish/Am war suffered same mistreatment 'fighting for country' as "back home"; so much so he is forced to join other side.
2/19/11 Requested from Mtn View Library Links Sys