The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

There is a new book about Custer and Little Bighorn. It's been written by Nathaniel Philbrick, who wrote the book about the Mayflower that was quite popular (didn't read it myself).

Don't know a lot about the book, just happened to see it in the bookstores today.

Here is a link to Amazon, which has a book description and reviews (even though the book only came out on Tuesday).

 

[UKReb]

Brad

Have had it on order these past weeks now-not released here until sometime in June-Without blowing my own stack and having at least 30 different versions on my book-shelf I very much doubt we are going to get anything new here-It will most probably be one of two versions

(1) Vain glorious and stupid Custer's own fault

(2) No it was the dastardly Reno and Benteen's fault-because they hated the Custer 7th Cavalry clique.

Never have found many authors who managed very well to get out of either of the above wagon ruts.

Personally I believe it was something to do with the performance of the Indian that day.

Bob

 

[jazzeum]

The book jacket said something about his having access to diaries (maybe new ones I can't remember). The author's website has part of the preface and first chapter in case you're interested, www.nathanielphilbrick.com

 

[Combat]

I've read about the first third. It is a decent read, but I'm not sure there is much new here. That would be a difficult standard given the passage of time. Like reading a book about the Titanic and saying not with the iceberg again. One new thing that I did learn is that about 40% of the 7th were foreign born from Germany, Ireland, England, and even Russia.

 

[jazzeum]

Doug,

Since you're reading it, can you take a look at the inside covers descriptions and see if there's some reference to access to some new diaries or something like that. Thanks.

 

[Combat]

Doug,

Since you're reading it, can you take a look at the inside covers descriptions and see if there's some reference to access to some new diaries or something like that. Thanks.

The liner notes that "Philbrick brings to light a fascinating new source: the unpublished writings of Private Peter Thompson, begun just months after the battle." Thompson was apparently in C Company. I haven't got far enough to read what he had to say.

 

[Combat]

I finished this one and it is a very enjoyable read. Also several good maps. If you are an expert on the subject, it probably doesn't add much to the story. The "new" material is largely mundane observations by Thompson - who won a medal of honor. The most important was citing Custer along the banks of the Little Big Horn during the midst of Reno's attack/retreat. Thompson claimed to see him there talking with one of his scouts before riding off alone. The author notes that Thompson often made errors in his recollection of events and this might be another. If it happened, it seems odd that Custer would not have noticed Thompson and another soldier who had become separated from their units and were wondering around the Indian camp. At the very least, it seems likely Custer might have asked them what they had seen. For Custer fans, note that Reno comes off much worse than Custer in this book.