A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn

A very good book on this most controversial battle. Nice to see that Custer is not the only whipping boy. The author does a good job with timelines of the battle. A good example of a unit with a near total disfunctional officer corps. The narration is excellent. A very fair account of the battle.

Most likely few history readers aren't familiar with at least one version of "Custer's Last Stand." A Terrible Glory goes much deeper than retelling the popular version of events. James Donovan uses extensive research to form a brilliant and compelling narrative of individual soldiers and officers and how they all ended up in such a mess on the hills above the Little Bighorn River. The author does a great job explaining the grudges and rivalries among Custer and his senior officers as well as painting a picture of the political context in which Custer was embroiled. As a result, the popular myth of a glory-seeking Custer stumbling to his own demise should be finally removed from the collective perception of events. The narration is perfectly matched to the narrative creating a whole work that you won't want to end.

After Pearl Harbor, "Custer's last stand" is probably the most famous military defeat in American history. This book offers a definitive account of what happened and why. The details on the battlefield actions, the backgrounds of the US soldiers and native American warriors, and the military and tribal customs of the time all reflect thorough and thoughtful research. This book offers all you ever need to know about the famous battle and the key figures in it. It also provides fascinating background on political conditions of the day and the efforts (including outright lies) the surviving officers took to protect their own interests in the investigations that followed Custer's debacle at the Little Big Horn.

The main reason for Custer's defeat was poor intelligence and a failure to reconnoiter carefully before he advanced into battle. He did not appreciate that he was facing an Indian force at least ten times larger than what he had faced before and one that was disposed to fight much harder than those he had faced in the past. His main preoccupation based on previous experience was striking early before the Indians could disperse. That led him to divide his already outmanned force as he prepared his attack on a massive Sioux encampment. He also was let down by subordinate officers who failed to rejoin his main force despite having heard clear reports of heavy gunfire on his position.

Best book this year for me! It captured my attention from the very beginning and held it to the end. Well researched and richly detailed portrayal of the post-Civil War period - cities, outposts and on the frontier. All of the characters, soldiers and Indians, come to life in vivid detail. Totally recast my knowledge of Custer, and painted a completely different picture of him and his role in pacifying the Souix, from the superficial one we all got in high school. Covers his life from the close of the Civil War to the tragedy at Little Big Horn, to the aftermath that occured at Wounded Knee. This one will be tough to beat.

All I knew about Custer was from the movies. This 16 hour book was perfect for my 1,100 mile trip. It is an excellent book which told the entire story from all sides. Very informative about logistics and tactics and the major participants. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the time period

This is a good book for people wanting an introduction to the story of the Little Big Horn. I felt that the history of Native American relations with the US Govt was not as focused as it could have been.

No.

Be ready to look up some maps in order to get an idea of the expeditions routes and topographical features.

I've been enthralled with this story for sometime, partially from growing up in Montana and partly based on the historical significance of the spread west in relation to the Indian Wars. This is a very comprehensive and history approach, unlike other approaches.

Son of the Morning Star

The account of the follow up battle atop Reno hill in the days following Custer's last stand.

This book made me relearn what I thought I knew about George A. Custer. As a product of American schools, my schooling on this subject lasted all of 10 minutes and left me thinking that Custer was a lackadaisical general that picked the wrong fight. But there is so much more to this story, and A Terrible Glory sets the record straight.

If you have any interest in the brutally true story of the American west, you will love this account. It not only documents the Bighorn's major players, it also details many of the unfortunate actions and lies taken agains the Indian nations. It reveals the actions of Custer and his officers, and even details the subsequent military coverup.

I am torn regarding my feelings about this period. Not only did the United States break treaties with the Indians and outright lie to them on many occasions, the Indians were essentially faced with the decision to give up their cultural ways of life and succumb to the "ways of the white man", or face the wrath of being considered hostile and enemies of the United States. In essence, the US endorsed genocide and Custer's army helped carry that out. But part of me couldn't help but feel sympathy for their plights and the times they found themselves in.

Regardless, this book will help you frame your own perspective and keep you entertained and interested throughout.

The book was entertaining, accurately written and researched, and very enjoyable. The reader easy to understand.

The research

The battle

The aftermath

Great book

James Donovan is an excellent researcher recounting many details that led up to the fateful day of the Alamo. It is an nteresting chronology from the perspectives of each of the primary characters. It should be suggested reading for high school and college American History classes.

We listened to this book while driving across country from Idaho to Minnesota.

After listening to this book we ordered Custer and the Little Big Horn.