A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West
by James Donovan
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Book Summary Information
Author: James DonovanEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-03-24
ISBN: 0316155780
Number of pages: 544
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Book Reviews of A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West
Book Review: Outstanding History of the Battle and its Participants: Excellent View of Custer's Battalions Movements and Final Stand
Summary: 5 Stars
A superior new book on the famous Little Bighorn Campaign based on primary sources and more recent historical analysis culminating in a very reasonable account of what happened to Custer's battalion once it descended into Medicine Trail Coulee. The author is a very gifted writer and his descriptions are so fluent that the book does read virtually like a well written novel. Donovan starts with a fast paced history of the Indians on the North American continent that directly leads to the Sioux and their current state of affairs in 1875-1876. Their history includes their migration west as they split from their eastern brethren, the post Civil War Red Cloud War that includes the emergence of Crazy Horse and later background information on Sitting Bull. The bio information on Custer is fast paced and accurate as the author moves you forward through his career with brief effective bios of the key members of his regiment that are key to the Little Bighorn battle. Within 100 pages, the author has you well familiar with the situation, the political and the military and the next 300 pages of text are loaded with information on the campaign preparation and the campaign as it unfolds. For the well familiar, the essential information leading to the divided commands will not be too new but the documentation and source material is excellent but the exciting part of the read is what is revealed when Custer reaches the bluffs, signals to Reno in the valley and proceeds to a northern attack point leaving his last white witness, the courier Martin, as his battalion descends toward the river. Donovan describes a very rational Custer who is anxious to stay on the offensive while apparently realizing that Reno's attack has collapsed but also knowing that Benteen's battalion should be arriving soon, a fact that many historians do not seem to give enough credit particularly since Custer's brother Boston had passed Benteen on his way to reach his brother and had done so by this time. The final actions of Custer's battalion heed an excellent mix of views by notable historians such as Greg Michno's (Lakota Noon) and Dr. Richard Fox (Archaeology, History, and Custer's Last Battle). Notable in that the Indian point of view is well presented such as those researched not only by Michno but by Richard G. Hardoff's series of researched Indian testimonies. What is quite rational in this analysis is that Custer, who was famous for adapting to situations tactically from the saddle was adapting as circumstances changed. He ordered up support and expected it to be coming promptly and he reorganized his battalion based on that premis. But the failure of support left him in the obvious vulnerable situation leading to the demise of his complete battalion. Although the division of his last battalion has been roundly criticized by many historians, his logical reasons for doing so are well defined by Donovan and linked to his expectation of command consolidation. The circumstances of Reno's rout from the valley and the intense battle on Reno Hill with Benteen taking nominal command is well described including Reno stopping Benteen from supporting Custer with Benteen's easy acceptance. The author provides an excellent description of Reno's total lack of action to support Custer, Reno's alledged drinking and the unauthorized uncoordinated but too late attempt at support by Lt. Weir. The only thing lacking in the description of Reno's actions on the hill and in the later court of inquiry was the failure to address the significant time sequences that were misrepresented by Reno, Benteen and Wallace to make it appear that they would not have been able to aid Custer if they tried. Donovan over the last 100 pages covers the controversies of the battle extremely well, the post Bighorn careers particularly of Reno and Benteen, the 7th as a whole, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and a wonderful summary of the Reno court of inquiry that is fascinating. Donovan makes note that the Little Bighorn was an embarrassment to the army particularly since funding was at stake at the time of the inquiry. Although well documented in many other books, such as "Abcs of Custer's Last Stand: Arrogance, Betrayal and Cowardice" by Arthur C. Unger, the author provides an excellent discussion for the reasons for collusion among the officer's testifying. One motivation was not just for the good of the regiment but that many of the surviving officers performed poorly, although Benteen was brave during the siege he never answered Custer's order for support. One obvious hint that the army wanted the inquiry a whitewash was the appointment of Lt. Jesse Lee as the recorder (investigating legal counsel) although Lee was not an attorney, had limited experience and was not a Judge Advocate. Donovan does not tell this history with an extended argument as many of the more analytical books do and are quite fascinating but he takes what to him are the most logical and reasonable documented occurrences that lead to his forthright description of the destruction of Custer's battalion left alone on battle ridge. The research is so well done that even the foot notes are worth reading. A better reference map for the Indian village would have helped understand where various Indian parties were before and during the attack. Overall, this is one of the best books on the Little Big Horn campaign and controversy.
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Summary of A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West
In June of 1876, on a desolate hill above a winding river called "the Little Bighorn," George Armstrong Custer and all 210 men under his direct command were annihilated by almost 2,000 Sioux and Cheyenne. The news of this devastating loss caused a public uproar, and those in positions of power promptly began to point fingers in order to avoid responsibility. Custer, who was conveniently dead, took the brunt of the blame.The truth, however, was far more complex. A TERRIBLE GLORY is the first book to relate the entire story of this endlessly fascinating battle, and the first to call upon all the significant research and findings of the past twenty-five years--which have changed significantly how this controversial event is perceived. Furthermore, it is the first book to bring to light the details of the U.S. Army cover-up--and unravel one of the greatest mysteries in U.S. military history.
Scrupulously researched, A TERRIBLE GLORY will stand as ta landmark work. Brimming with authentic detail and an unforgettable cast of characters--from Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse to Ulysses Grant and Custer himself--this is history with the sweep of a great novel.
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