Customer Reviews

A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn---The Last Great Battle of the American West

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James Donovan's "A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn: The Last Great Battle of the American West" is not a book aimed primarily at the serious student of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. There are numerous books published each year about this famous battle, but most of them are full of dense, intricate arguments about quite narrow aspects of the historical event and really only of interest to -- or even intelligible by -- the serious Little Bighorn student (I should know -- I am one; and I completely understand that many works that I find fascinating would inevitably be rated as "unreadable" by most readers.) Donovan's book is something else entirely: a thorough, highly detailed narrative, drawn from primary sources (not just a tired rehash of secondary accounts, as is too often the case with such books), mountains of evidence carefully sifted and weighed, resulting in a judicious, well-balanced, fair-minded analysis of what actually happened.

It's a big book -- nearly 400 pages of text plus voluminous and valuable source notes -- that provides background and context and also vivid word portraits of personalities and activities. I consider it be quite simply the best available account of the Little Bighorn for the intelligent general reader who wants to know what was what and who was who, without those biases and distortions so common in writings about Custer and his last battle.

In the book's foreword, Donovan comments that he has departed from the strict historical record only in the area of the part played by Custer's direct command after he had sent his last messenger. Of necessity, any account of those activities requires interpretation of highly conflicting evidence and of some plain-old educated guesswork -- and James Donovan has done a superlative job of crafting a reasonable, plausible account of what happened.

I'm a junkie on this subject. Have read most of the major books on the battle, so I'd say, honestly, I wasn't prepared to be impressed. But I feel compelled to write a review here because I'm so pleasantly surprised. This topic has been well published, but this new book is GREAT. This author must have done some serious digging, because this book includes material I've never seen in any other book. Robert Utley was right about this book (if you're not a regular of the genre, he's the dean of writers on the American West). He's quoted as saying 'the research into firsthand sources is broader and deeper than I have ever seen'. To Custerphiles like myelf, that says something.

There IS a lot of information here, but it's skillfully blended into the narrative, and the author did a good job of synthesizing all the material (the Indian and white accounts, and the new archaeological and forensic research and analysis from the past few decades). It also seems like the author went to great lengths to show the Indian side of the story, which is a plus.

As you'll see, the book contains 83 pages of notes. But don't let that fool you; it's not a dry, academic type of read at all. (In fact, I'd say it's better written than anything else I've read on this subject.) And there's a lot of extra supporting material in all those notes, if you want to read them. But, notes or no notes--this is just a great read, and a wonderful new entry in the field. Good job, Mr. Donovan. (And, by the way, your publisher did a nice job, too. I'm a "book" person, and this book is quite handsome, both inside and out.)

When I saw a new book listed for publication on the topic of the Little Bighorn Battle a few months ago I was enthused. Let's face it, for those of us committed to this historical event, there's never enough to read. A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn-The Last Great Battle of the America West doesn't disappoint either.

James Donovan's treatment is fair and detailed. As pointed out in other reviews, there is a lot of information included. Donovan also avoids the traps sprung on so many modern historians when they attempt to moralize the battle, Custer, and the U.S. Army. It has been well established after the digs of the 1980's that, contrary to so many theories, the 7th Cavalry was not well armed, and from modern analysis of the battle field did not conduct themselves as a well trained unit would have. Donovan uses this information, and also guardingly includes the accounts of the Indians present at the battle.

I also have to compliment Donovan on his ability to provide context to the battle itself and to the United States at the time. His ability to provide strong narrative also makes the book read like a novel at times. In places, A Terrible Glory is a real page turner.

The copious and well organized notes will also be of interest to the serious student of the battle. A Terrible Glory isn't for the casual reader though it is written in an easy style. Well researched and even handed, A Terrible Glory is highly recommended.

For nearly a century and a half, the Battle of Little Bighorn has been a part of our nation`s collective knowledge and language, an event used as a metaphor for everything from foolhardy determination to one last, heroic quest. Even those who don't know of Custer's achievements in the Civil War or his desire for political office know that he was front and center in the most famous massacre in American history.

Although many accounts of the battle exist, James Donovan`s "A Terrible Glory" claims to be the first book to relate the entire story, and the first to include new findings which significantly alter the perception of this battle, the military response to the events and the attraction the public has had for the great mystery of what happened in Custer's final hours.

Donovan weaves overwhelming research and detail into his narration, often pausing and backing up to paint the full picture of the events as they develop. His characters, from Custer to Crazy Horse and General Grant, are presented with the depth of a Larry McMurtry novel, a monumental achievement in recreating men who died over a hundred years ago. He approaches the battle from all angles, allowing the different stories to slowly build toward their inevitable clash.

The marriage of captivating story with enchanted researcher/writer often proves to be an incendiary combination. Donavon's meticulous approach and seemingly total immersion into writing this story create the feeling that the author rode alongside the subject of his life's work. With "A Terrible Glory", we ride with him.

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.

With so many accolades, it is a challenge to say something to add to the fine reviews preceding my own. This book is very well-written and the quality and depth of material and insight in the end notes probably put it in a class by itself where Custer books are concerned. I read the first part of "A Terrible Glory" with a bookmark at the end so that I could switch back and forth from the text to the end notes. As this was detracting from the flow of my reading and my appreication of the fine writing, I dispensed with this practice, resorting to reading the end notes following the text for each chapter. I advise other readers to do the same.

The best part of this book, for me, was the extensive treatment provided to the battle's aftermath, especially the Reno Court of Inquiry. Most Little Big Horn books, understandably so, borrow extensively from the Court of Inquiry testimony and place it within the context of an author's reconstruction of the events of June 25 and 26, 1876. Here, we are treated to an entire chapter on the Reno Court of Inquiry as a historical event in its own right. Perhaps an example of some of his new discoveries on this event will serve to highlight the quality of the book as a whole. I had long known that the Inquiry Court was held at the Palmer House hotel in Chicago where Phil Sheridan also housed his Division of the Missouri headquarters. This fact seemed to indicate that it was held there so that Sheridan could have an overpowering, unspoken presence over the proceedings, thereby reminding everyone to avoid a verdict that would embarass him or the army. Mr. Donovan's research revealed that, yes, Sheridan's Division of the Missouri was headquartered in Chicago but it only moved to the Palmer House a few weeks prior to the Inquiry Court when the office building where it was housed was destroyed by fire.

Another intriguing post-battle chapter is the one entitled "The Lost Captain" which precedes and blends with the one covering the Inquiry Court. This chapter title would seem to refer to the self-proclaimed "Captain" Frederick Whittaker who never rose above the rank of lieutenant and had once published dime novels, including one with the title of "The Lost Captain." His hagiographic biography of Custer, published less than six months after the battle, expressed strong condemnation of Reno and thus touched off the chain of events that led to the Reno Court of Inquiry. Most likely though, the title applies to Captain Thomas Weir who died six months after the battle, succumbing to alcoholism; he was the officer who, over Reno's objections, led the movement of various 7th Cavalry companies off Reno Hill and towards the sound of Custer's gunfire. Weir was haunted by the deaths of Custer and his five companies, which only served to exacerbate his drinking problem. His death coincided to the very day with the publication of Whittaker's Custer biography and his thoughts found life in the book as he was interviewed by Whittaker before he passed away. The abscence of his testimony at the subsequent Reno Inquiry has always intrigued battle students, serving up yet more "what if's?" in speculating what the lost captain might have said had he lived. Mr. Donovan references Dr. Chuck Merkel's unpublished thesis on the life of Weir, thus adding to the huge cache of sources he has tapped for this book.

Some reviewers have portrayed this book as a pro-Custer, down-with-Reno effort. Yes, he explores the many negative questions surrounding Reno's battlefield performance but backs them up with primary sources (for example, three pages of end notes consisting of quotes from first-hand battle participants who claim to have seen Reno drinking and/or drunk on June 25-26). These areas of controversy are presented in a judicious, non-judgmental manner. If Mr. Donovan's comes across as pro-Custer, it may be due to the fact that a number of books in print as well as TV "documentaries" go out of their way to portray Custer as someone that he clearly wasn't--an incompetent egomaniac out to kill men, women and children. Mr. Donovan gives us a balanced rendering of the three Little Big Horn military commanders--Custer, Reno and Benteen--their strengths as well as their flaws.

In conclusion, in my opinion, this book is destined to join other Custer classics--Custer's Luck, The Custer Myth, Custer's Last Campaign, Lakota Noon, Son of the Morning Star (Terrible Glory is much better) and Where Custer Fell. It is the best book you could give someone who asks "Why do you keep reading about this battle?"

This is the best Custer/Little Big Horn book in years, maybe the best ever. It delves deeply into the critical issues of the Sioux Campaign of 1876, but not with the volumes of trivia that put a reader to sleep. It is a lively, enjoyable read, factual, and balanced as far as fairness to the indians and U.S. Cavalry. Its strength comes from the incredible research done by the author, as the 83-page bibliography attests to. It includes new and indepth findings about Custer and the Seventh Cavalry, Frederick Whittaker (Custer's first biographer), and about the 1879 Reno Court of Inquiry where the Army tried to minimize the disastrous defeat and loss of military personnel at the hands of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. The battle coverage is exciting, uncontrived, and certainly educational. The aftermath of the battle is extremely well-covered, underscoring the dranatic effect the battle's outcome had for Native Americans, U.S. military capabilities, and American history in general. Every reader will learn new things, even the most serious students of the Little Big Horn battle. Its fun to be so entertained while being educated as well. Thanks, Mr. Donovan.

"Come on. Big village. Be quick. Bring packs." - Custer's last communication before riding forth to a terrible glory.

Anyone of a certain age and cultural background, born and educated in the United States, is likely to know of George Armstrong Custer's last stand with his Seventh Cavalry against overwhelming numbers of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in June, 1876. Who among us hasn't seen at least one of the several fanciful paintings of the event by various artists?

The core of A TERRIBLE GLORY is James Donovan's masterful and absorbing account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The book also includes a summary of Custer's military career and personal life prior to 1876, the personalities of the principal Native American leaders (primarily Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse), the tense post-Civil War relationship of the federal government and the U.S. Army with the Sioux, and the battle's aftermath, including the Army's 1879 Court of Inquiry into the Seventh's conduct of the engagement and Major Marcus Reno's performance in particular, the ultimate fates of the main characters in the drama, and the Massacre at Wounded Knee, which can be argued was the Seventh Cavalry's revenge for the Little Bighorn debacle.

Those chapters of A TERRIBLE GLORY concerned with the 1876 encounter place it in the context of that summer's three-pronged Army advance (Gibbon, Terry, Crook) on the tribes that were roaming the Montana and Wyoming territories outside the reservations. Then, for June 25-26, the narration comprises the three phases of the Battle: Reno's ill-starred attack on the south end of the Indian village, the annihilation of Custer and five of the Seventh's twelve companies, and the siege of the Reno-Benteen force dug in on their hill. In the prefatory Author's Notes section, Donovan is careful to point out that his accounts of the first and third phases are based on primary sources. The second phase, once Custer and his 210 men rode off down Medicine Tail Coulee, is reconstructed mainly from reasonable supposition and battlefield archeology since the eyewitness testimonies of the victorious Sioux and Cheyenne warriors are "sketchy and often contradictory". That said, the narrative of the clash as a whole flows seamlessly. Indeed, it's riveting.

The volume includes several useful maps, fourteen pages of photographs, and lengthy Notes and Bibliography sections.

A couple of years back, I had the good fortune to gaze out from the summit of Last Stand Hill over the marker stones of Custer and his troopers set amidst the rippling buffalo grass. Was that a faint echo of "Garryowen", the Seventh Cavalry's official marching air, that I heard on the wind? Well, perhaps not, but only sounds from a radio in a car passing behind me. But, as the author closes his engrossing narrative:

"After the tourists have gone, the ridges and ravines overlooking the river below are still and eerie. Today, if one stands there alone as the wind sighs through the buffalo grass, it is hard not to believe that the spirits of the men who died there ... perform their own ghost dance: clasping hands in a circle, moving ever to the right ..."

After nearly six decades of life, I feel I've finally arrived at a proper understanding of what transpired on those hills in southeast Montana just to the east of Interstate 90 on two hot summer days nearly 133 years ago. A TERRIBLE GLORY is a superb volume worth the attention of any casual or serious student of the Battle of the Little Bighorn wishing to know its place in the context of that period of American history.

"A Terrible Glory" is one of the few books I've read on 1800's era history. I can't comment on the accuracy of the claims or facts presented in this book.

However, I can comment on the book's "readability" and apparent credibility...and ATG is an enjoyable work!! My prior opinion on Custer was one of a vain fop. However, the author brings the the man into light a one of social genius and puckish ego. If accurate, everyone knows someone like Custer and the author's telling helps the reader step into the book easily.

Presentation of facts and subsequent analysis are, in my opinion, fair and intelligently presented - no one has a time machine, so at some point the reader needs to suspend any argument and just read.

One topic clearly and succinctly addressed is that of treatment of the Native Americans - of course, you'll judge for yourself, but I found the author to be fair and rational, avoiding emotional extremes on such a volatile subject. Someone with a topical interest in Native American settlement will likely find themselves confident in either their new knowledge or clarified retelling of history.

Because of the easy writing and colorful subject, ATG is recommended as a read to consume in one or compacted sitting.

The basic arguments over what actually happened at the Little Bighorn, why and who should be blamed haven't really changed much since 1876. If you like movies, is Custer the man from They Died with their Boots On? or the egomanical madman from Little Big Man? This tends to go with Custer as flawed hero and paints a very well drawn picture of Custer during the Civil War in which he was one of the great heros of the war, with cause. It's reasonably clear that no one from Custer on up through his chain of command believed that there was any real possibility of total disaster. After all,the largest military disaster prior to Custer's Last Stand was the Fetterman massacre involving some 80 men, and Fetterman had no reputation to speak of. So, everyone in the campaign was far more concerned that the Sioux would simply melt away before they could be engaged, much like the similar contemporary campaign and disaster against the Zulu in South Africa. In both cases, the locals were eager to fight it out, on their own terms, of course.

The basic arguments are very well presented, and the author provides very reasonable arguments as to why Custer did what he did and what he was trying to accomplish. Could Custer's 2nd in command, Major Reno have turned the tide by pressing the attack on the Sioux from a different direction, and/or Captain Benteen? Why did Reno fail to act? The author has very strong opinions on those questions, but they should be taken with a least a grain of salt. There has never been a definitive answer and there never will be one as we can't know what Reno saw when he approached the village. We do know that all of Custer's command died and most of Reno's men survived. However, regardless of what you think of his arguments, the book is well written and provides excellent context.