On Wings of Destiny: a Novel on the Life and Times of Jose Rizal

FOREWARD"Our story begins in 1876. Only sixty four years ago. And yet to us who were born in the present regime of Liberty and Democracy the life our patriot Jose, Rizal, might seem incredible. But it was tragically real to our fathers who saw and bore the brunt of an era of Spanish autocracy and despostism. Lest we might take the liberties, peace and prosperity that we now enjoy too much for granted, we should do well to meditate on the life of our hero. We should not fail to realize that, although the era of despotism which crushed his life belongs to the past, of late, the march of Liberty and Democracy has suffered a great set-back, so much that the SPanish mis-rule in the Philippines was no more brutal than what other peoples are made to suffer in these trying days. If in the narrative the personality of Rizal should emerge in its humanity, the author would feel that her task has been accomplished."---Manila March, 1940V.L.A.