Johann Heinrich von Manfred is a young Prussian who became a Texan, a Californian and an American. A fast moving story, it chronicles the life of Johann Heinrich von Manfred from his youth as a student in a Prussian military academy through his many exciting and dangerous adventures from Spain to the Americas, from Florida to Texas, and finally, the gold laden frontier of California.

Prussian Military Academy trained von Manfred moves through numerous daring adventures in France, the Pyrenees, Spain, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Old California. He saves the leader of a gypsy band, fights for Carlos, the Pretender to the Spanish Throne, and helps Houston free Texas. He then moves on to Old California to save the life of one of the landed Dons, discovers the love of his life, participates in the Mexican War and in the turbulent days of the ’49 gold rush, earning his new name, El Tigre, along the way.