The reader of the audio book expresses in his introduction his fantasy desire of being able to live in those times. I agree wholeheartedly. The times of the late 19th Century and very early 20th Century before WW1, in the wilds and still often unsettled places of Africa and Asia is my favourite period. When Men were still Men. One could still live by ones wits. One could still seek ones fortune abroad. Man-eaters roared in Africa and India. Tuskers were white gold. A life could be carved from the wilderness.

Of course the American West was still wild. Bushrangers still roamed in Australia.