Summary: The text narrates the advent of a new century with the death of Queen Victoria, signaling a shift into a modern age of advancements and activities. The protagonist, a young engineer, embarks on a life journey amid the sweeping changes brought by the Machine Age and the onset of World War I. From railway building challenges to encounters with cholera outbreaks and exotic cultural experiences, the engineer navigates through a diverse range of events and trials, reflecting on the excitement and challenges of living through a time of transformative societal shifts. Through anecdotes of misadventures with motor vehicles, encounters with natives in foreign lands, and wartime experiences, the narrative captures the essence of a life filled with exploration, engineering feats, and the unpredictable nature of historical events, offering insights into the author's self-discovery and the world's transition into a new era of progress and conflict.