A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Hardcover
Leo T. reviewed on + 1775 more book reviews
"More than anything, the Indians all agreed later, the battle resembled a buffalo chase (243)."
A very detailed history, including even the nicknames of various companies of the 7th, such as "Band Biox Troop," Gray Horse Troop." The actual regimental commander, Col. Sturgis, was TDY but many Custer associates ("the Custer clan") were present. The photo plates include many of the LTs, and the Indians look fierce even in a formal portrait. Excellent map, with insets, by J.L. Ward that includes the location of major battle sites 1864-1890.
Despite the present day people who feel Indians are dishonored by being recalled by sports teams, those who fought them from the 17th-19th C. well knew how tough and worthy of respect they were. I am reminded of the second Pt. Bush's wars: "An enemy that could not be caught and would not stand still(57)."
Donovan relies on eyewitness accounts, taking into consideration when recorded (fading memories?) and possible motivations of the witness (an axe to grind?). He emphasizes no one knows what happened after Custer dispatches trumpeter John Marin with a message. The 210 deaths were described only by "sketchy and contradictory" Indian accounts.
The endnotes are of interest and vital if one wants to track down a source. As the bibliography shows, many obscure publications were unearthed. The index appears copious but when I tested it with John Martin (above), there was no entry.
A very detailed history, including even the nicknames of various companies of the 7th, such as "Band Biox Troop," Gray Horse Troop." The actual regimental commander, Col. Sturgis, was TDY but many Custer associates ("the Custer clan") were present. The photo plates include many of the LTs, and the Indians look fierce even in a formal portrait. Excellent map, with insets, by J.L. Ward that includes the location of major battle sites 1864-1890.
Despite the present day people who feel Indians are dishonored by being recalled by sports teams, those who fought them from the 17th-19th C. well knew how tough and worthy of respect they were. I am reminded of the second Pt. Bush's wars: "An enemy that could not be caught and would not stand still(57)."
Donovan relies on eyewitness accounts, taking into consideration when recorded (fading memories?) and possible motivations of the witness (an axe to grind?). He emphasizes no one knows what happened after Custer dispatches trumpeter John Marin with a message. The 210 deaths were described only by "sketchy and contradictory" Indian accounts.
The endnotes are of interest and vital if one wants to track down a source. As the bibliography shows, many obscure publications were unearthed. The index appears copious but when I tested it with John Martin (above), there was no entry.
