Customer Reviews

The Little Bighorn Campaign: March-September 1876 (Great Campaigns Series)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wayne Sarf has researched all the master historians in the past and present to provide a fascinating well written history and objective book on the LBH and Sioux Campaign. The book tells the complete history of the campaign from its inception to its finale, Custer's and the Sioux's as a free people. Sarf quotes both the participants concerning their actions in the campaign as well as perspectives of major historians. He also offers his own views based on the historical record and logic. An important example is his evidence and commentary concerning General Terry's June 26th rendezvouz which is pure fiction and self serving. As Sarf well proves, Custer acted judiciously and appropriately based on the information, circumstances and the expectations provided to him in synch with all the military commanders . Unfortunately for him, the circumstances changed once he was committed to the attack. Wonderful perspectives including side bars on the military participants, weapons and Native Americans. Also includes a readers guide for additional reading including critiques and some cheeky comments.

This book is the best overview of the 1876 Custer Campaign available. Because the author has covered all salient facets of this disaster, the novice reader will gain expert status, and the Custer Buff will be challenged to delve even deeper into the Custer mystery. This book is a pleasurable read and will always will be kept close at hand.

I would strongly recommend Wayne Sarf's book to anyone wishing to learn about the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Although numerous titles have been published delving deep into narrow and murky corners of that famous event, they are best approached by readers who already have a firm grounding into the who's and what's of the battle, and this is the book which provides that fundamental knowledge. Wayne Sarf's conclusions about controversial matters are both well-considered and reasonable.

As one who has collected and read scores of books on Custer and the Little Bighorn, I must say that this book is the most concise, even-handed, and readible account of this most controversial period in American history. The author makes the many facets and personalities of the events of the summers of 1876-1877 come alive with his colorful writing and honest evaluation. This book is the perfect starter for anyone who is either casually interested in the story or is a useful summary for those veterans who have been fascinated with the Little Bighorn and Custer for some time. Also the sidebars used throughout the text help to make the persons, places, and things of the campaign stand out in their historical context. I heartilly recommend this book and am very happy that it is now out in paperback for an even greater audience. If you want to know the story of the Sioux War of 1876 and 1877, begin here!

I wasn't expecting much when I bought this book on the discount shelf some years ago. I was pleasantly surprised. It covers the campaign, not just the battle itself. Pretty good maps are present, and many pages of interesting "sidebars" in which Sarf elaborates for a page on certain particular incidents or technical aspects of the campaign. Nice touch.

It's not up to the towering work of John S. Gray's "Custer's Last Campaign" which is probably the best currently on the market now. However Sarf has much interesting and reliable information.

Here's where to start if you want to read just one book on the Summer Campaign of 1876 against the "off-reservation" plains indians. This paperback from 2000 is a reprint, with a few minor corrections of misprints, of the 1993 hardback edition. The only actual new text is the "preface to the revised edition," dated May 1999.

Sarf's approach is even-handed, and he has a real eye for telling details and for vivid quotes from participants and eyewitnesses. Boxes set apart from the main text give needed detail and background, particularly on individuals participating. A great deal of exotic color is provided by the various indians who rode with both sides in the conflict. For example, riding with General Crooke were The Other Magpie, a beautiful female warrior, and Finds Them And Kills Them, a transvestite who dressed and lived as a woman except during battles! You don't encounter soldiers of that calibre in most military histories!

The Summer Campaign of 1876 is distinguished by the almost staggering military incompetence displayed by the U.S. Army leaders. Apart from Custer, who generally seemed to know what he was up to, and the canny Nelson Miles, virtually every commander in the field seemed to be clueless, cowardly, vacillating, and in a couple of cases (Gibbon comes to mind at once) apparently paralyzed by mental illness.

Well-written and extremely readable. If you have ever wondered how Custer really got into that very bad fix, this is the best place to start your quest for understanding, and Sarf also offers a good annotated list for further reading.

If you read one book on the Little Bighorn make it this one. I read it in one sitting . . .couldn't put it down. Sarf has given an easy to read, level account of the events leading up to and including the battle. Clear and easy for the novice to follow and yet broad enough for the avid buff. A great over all account of one of the darkest days in American history.

This book covers it all, from the reasons, to the results. It is a very good read for both the novice and the "Old Custer Buff". I especially liked the use of the sidebars to further develop other interesting related topics.

Wayne Sarf's Little Bighorn Campaign is a clearly written and accurate account of the famous battle of 1876. Its other great virtue is balance. Sarf presents all aspects of this complex event in a fair and readable manner, a "must read" for anyone interested in the Littler Bighorn Campaign.

Wayne Sarf's book is the best introduction to this highly emotional, and controversial subject to date. Having several years experience living and working at the Battle site I'm familiar with the landmine like controversies that surround this iconic symbol of the frontier. Stewert's "Custer's Luck" is dated, Gray's "Centennial Campaign" and "Custer's Last Campaign" are too detailed for the average reader- Sarf's work is the best easy summation of the background, content and controversies of the Battle. Excellant Maps, side bars and above all a sense of humour in this very grim subjects. Reccommend to to experienced and novice alike.