the text lays the groundwork for the book by introducing readers to its aim of providing true stories that are captivating and educational. It begins with a narrative called "Wilson's Last Fight," which outlines the lead-up to the conflict in Matabeleland, detailing the tensions between English settlers and the Matabele tribe under King Lobengula. This setting gives insight into the historical context, highlighting themes of bravery, survival, and the complexity of relations during colonial expansion. The introduction also hints at the other stories within, leading readers toward figures like Joan of Arc, who will be further explored in the subsequent chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)