Vengeance

The Last Stands of Custer, Crazy Horse, and Sitting Bull

By: Tom Clavin

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

A dramatic new look at Custer's Last Stand in time for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, by the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Heart of Everything That Is.

"As soon as listeners hear Johnny Heller's easy Western drawl, they'll know they're in for a story about the Old West." —Kirkus on Throne of Grace

On June 25–27, 1876, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, commonly referred to as Custer's Last Stand, was fought between combined forces of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes and the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army. Along the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory, the battle resulted in the devastating defeat of U.S. forces and was the most significant action of the Great Sioux War of 1876.

This dramatic look at the Little Bighorn battle includes not only the Native American point of view–with two dynamic Native figures, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, on prominent display–but also the impact it had on the Plains Indians. It turned out to be their last stand too because a vengeful nation quashed any remaining resistance, with a conclusive massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890, almost simultaneous with the murder of Sitting Bull.

In addition, Custer’s character by June 1876 is at the heart of this world-famous disaster. For all his celebrated bravery, especially at Gettysburg 13 years earlier, Custer became a devout media hound, desperate to gain fame. Even, some say, his own demise was a misguided attempt at grabbing national headlines: He envisioned a massacre – just not his own. As both the camera and the tabloid came of age, George Armstrong Custer became America’s first bona fide celebrity.

Vengeance is a thrilling listen, filled with action, legendary characters, and poignance for the impact this had on Native Americans and the shape of the American West.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press

Critic reviews

Praise for Vengeance and Tom Clavin:

“The book becomes more spirited during the battle itself, which is naturally dramatic, as well as terrifying… A fascinating figure who emerges is Moving Robe Woman, a Lakota 23-year-old who plunges into battle with her face painted red, avenging her 10-year-old brother who’d been killed a few days earlier.” —Publishers Weekly on Vengeance

“Deploying the fresh and informative storytelling technique that has made him a best-selling popular-history writer, Clavin provides an accessible, balanced, vivid, and fast-moving account of this watershed disaster and its ripple effects.” —Booklist on Vengeance

“Bestseller Clavin offers a lively rendition of the storied career of the USS Tang and its captain, Richard Hetherington O’Kane … Clavin provides a bounty of backstory on submarine warfare, with side excursions into other famous subs and their fates. The result is an entertaining account of daring exploits in the deep.” —Publishers Weekly on Running Deep

"The entire cowboy-outlaw era, which reached its climax in 1897 and ended around 1905, comes vividly alive in this kaleidoscopic work ... countless other instances of robbing, stealing and retribution, are woven splendidly into this rousing saga of the closing years of the outlaw epoch of the American West." —Wall Street Journal on Bandit Heaven

"Buchenwald was the place no allied airman was supposed to wind up—but they did. In this priceless eyewitness history, one of WWII’s most incredible stories has finally found its teller. Lightning Down is a riveting read that will leave you with a cold shiver." —Adam Makos, author of the NY Times bestseller A Higher Call

“With a former newsman’s nose for the truth, Clavin has sifted the facts, myths, and lies to produce what might be as accurate an account as we will ever get of the old West’s most famous feud.” —Associated Press on Tombstone

True description of Custer mindset.

The book was filled with military strategy and how poor leader can get people killed. Really enjoyed the book. Highly recommend.

Calvin in the History King!

This is about my fifth or sixth Tom Calvin and I find each one to be meticulously researched, well crafted with backstories smoothly integrated into the narrative.
Johnny Heller is also an excellent narrator and has done several of Mt Calvin’s books.
If you love history, I highly recommend!

Excellent

Vengeance: The Last Stands of Custer, Crazy Horse & Sitting Bull

By Tom Clavin

Mr. Clavin does a good job of telling the history of the players in the Battle of the Little Big Horn / Greasy Grass. I learned a great deal not only about Custer, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, but also Reno, Benteen and others.
For someone well read on the subject, most of the details may not be new. However many tidbits were new to me, and their analysis was interesting.
I would recommend.
The narrator is outstanding also!

Short Chapter made it a quick read. Took two days

Was worried that the short chapter would be a draw back. However it made it a fast read

Historical Fiction

Enjoyed previous Tom Clavin writings. However this is filled with historical inaccuracies of dates, events, circumstances and names. John Hancock was a “hero” of Gettysburg (Winfield Scott was), Custer did not defeat Stuart at Brandy Station after Gettysburg. I suffered through as much as I could then removed the book from my library.