The Fabricated Colonel

This chapter explores the life of a man who, after being discharged from the army for misconduct, reinvents himself as a colonel claiming service in historic battles. It delves into the societal dynamics that allowed his deception to flourish, contrasting past and present attitudes toward military history, adventure, and fame. Through the lens of gambling culture and extravagance, the chapter highlights the absurdities of social pretenses in a world without modern communication.