Custer: The Life of General George Armstrong Custer

by Jay Monaghan

Book Overview

"The Custer literature is voluminous and most of it is highly controversial. Through the tangle of charges and countercharges Jay Monaghan cuts a clear path in his fresh account of Custer's whole career. Where possible, Monaghan relies on original sources, and he appraises them with the sound judgment of the practiced historian he is. He is sympathetic with Custer but does not hesitate to show the man's foibles and failures. He presents no attorney's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803257325
• ISBN13: 9780803257320
• Release Date: September 1971
• Publisher: Bison Books
• Length: 479 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Custer: Easy Victim.

In these days of political correctness George Armstrong Custer is an obvious target. Like so many of us who have trained hard for a profession, something you are really good at, it is a tough thing to put it down. Custer peaked early, unbelievably early. Six months after graduating West Point he was an officer engaged in the Civil War. By war's end he was a Brigadier General, the youngest ever. He was a 4 year combat veteran used to command, possessing the easy confidence of youth. He was at the top of his game and the pinnacle of his military career. He was only 25.After the war, like so many others, his services were no longer required. He was out of work. So he did what most of us do, he went back to doing what he did best, in his case fighting. Make no mistake, Custer was a brave man. He was also a young one, guilty of the arrogance of youth. His death, at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, happened to occur when the United States was at war with the Sioux Nation. This is a small point most historians forget.Today we are embarrassed by the genocide the United States practiced against Native Americans. We should be. But we need to remember that Custer himself was nothing more than a tool in the manipulation and ultimate eradication of Native peoples. Love him or hate him he was a professional soldier, following orders in a time of war. His current role as history's fall guy for an awful Indian policy that in many ways is no better today is truly undeserved. Jay Monaghan has written one interesting look at a man who did nothing more than follow his county's orders.

Extensively researched. Best book written on Custer

After reading and researching many of authors sources, this is the best book written about one of our nations most controversial figures.From his impeccable Civil War record through his record in the Indian Wars which shaped development of this nation, we can all be proud of this man. If you thought the worst of this man, as I, you will reconsider and admire him.