Memoirs of a Soldier of Fortune

General Rafael De Nogales, of Venezuela, author of “Memoirs of a Soldier of Fortune,” was one of the most picturesque characters in the early twentieth century. He was an army staff officer and a scholar by profession, and a citizen of the world by avocation. 

Gun-running in the Caribbean; cattle-rustling along the Rio Grande; racing for gold in Alaska and Nevada; big game-hunting in West Africa; fighting in Mexico, Venezuela, etc.; directing the siege of Van, capital of Armenia, during the World War; and standing up to the barrage of Allenby’s guns in Palestine … these, and all the adventures that make the blood tingle, are incidents in the life of General de Nogales, as related in this book.

Memoirs of a Soldier of Fortune presents a kaleidoscope of vivid life. 

From Alaska to Cairo, from Siberia to Cape Horn — a journey for Nogales was only a jaunt for more danger and the crackle of rifles, or the cheating of death. 

For four years Nogales fought against the Allies in Turkey, but he always fought cleanly. 

The Allied commanders knew him as a dashing cavalry officer, and paid him tribute for courage and chivalry. 

He saved the lives of many a British officer and man, prisoners in the hands of the Turks. 

Described him as “the last of cavaliers.” Nogales loved a fight, but with him fighting was a game of rules which an honourable man must observe.

General Rafael De Nogales (1879-1936) was born in San Cristóbal, Táchira. As well as serving as a Venezuelan soldier, he fought for the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. His other passions were being adventurous and writing. De Nogales graduated from universities in Europe and was fluent in many languages.