Capturing Aguinaldo: The Daring Raid to Seize the Philippine President at the Dawn of the American Century

The "American century" began with the Spanish-American War, which saw the United States seize Cuba and the Philippines. In 1901, U.S. Army legend Frederick "Fighting Fred" Funston orchestrated the capture of Filipino president and rebel Emilio Aguinaldo, marking the United States' conflicted rise to power in the early twentieth century. Capturing Aguinaldo is a character study of Funston and Aguinaldo and a look at the United States rise to global power.

Format: Hardback
Length: 422 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2023
Publisher: Stackpole Books

The "American century" commenced with the Spanish-American War, during which the United States acquired Cuba and the Philippines in its pursuit of global dominance. Before the treaty with Spain was finalized, the war in the Philippines escalated into a violent rebellion, which persisted until U.S. forces captured Filipino president and rebel Emilio Aguinaldo. In a meticulously planned ruse in 1901, U.S. Army legend Frederick "Fighting Fred" Funston orchestrated the capture of Aguinaldo.

Capturing Aguinaldo is a captivating tale that revolves around Funston, his audacious plan to apprehend Emilio Aguinaldo, and the United States' conflicted ascent to power in the early twentieth century. The war with Spain in 1898 had been swift and largely bloodless for the Americans in the Philippines. However, in early 1899, Filipino nationalists, who had been fighting the Spanish for three years and anticipated Spain's defeat to bring about their independence, retaliated against the Americans, initiating a war that swiftly devolved into a conflict characterized by widespread atrocities on both sides. By March 1901, the U.S. was in search of a bold move against the nationalists. Brigadier General Frederick Funston, who had received a Medal of Honor just a year prior, along with four other officers, posed as prisoners, who were accompanied by Filipino soldiers disguised as rebels. After a grueling ninety-mile march, the fake insurgents and their prisoners were warmly welcomed into the enemy's headquarters, where a brief firefight ensued, resulting in the capture of President Aguinaldo. The rebellion, which had endured for years, finally began to crumble.

Beyond a thrilling adventure story, Capturing Aguinaldo offers a profound exploration of the characters of Frederick Funston and Emilio Aguinaldo, shedding light on their roles and contributions to the United States' rise to global power. It delves into the lesser-known narrative of this daring operation, providing a fresh perspective on a pivotal period in American history.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811771528