Aguinaldo's Hostage is a work of juvenile fiction written by American war correspondent H. Irving Hancock. Published in 1900, it is set against the backdrop of the Philippine-American War (1899–1902), also known as the Philippine Insurrection. The novel details the fictional capture and imprisonment of a young American named Dick Carson by forces loyal to Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines and leader of the revolutionary movement against American rule. The book reflects the intense American interest in, and often propagandistic view of, the conflict at the turn of the 20th century. While fictional, its publication date and subject matter make it a significant historical artifact for understanding contemporary American perceptions of the war, Filipino resistance, and the concept of American involvement in the Philippines. For an institution with a history tied to the Philippines, the book serves as a primary example of American popular literature influencing public opinion during a pivotal period of national and institutional history.
Aguinaldo's hostage; or, Dick Carson's captivity among the Filipinos