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A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West Paperback – Illustrated, May 14, 2009

by James Donovan (Author)

4.6 977 ratings

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A rousing and meticulously researched account of the notorious Battle of Little Big Horn and its unforgettable cast of characters from Sitting Bull to Custer himself.

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 Teribble Glory will stand as a 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.

Print length

560 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Back Bay Books
Publication date

May 14, 2009
Dimensions

5.45 x 1.75 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

0316067474
ISBN-13

978-0316067478
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Donovan is the author of the bestselling books The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo -- and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation and A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West. He lives in Dallas, Texas.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (May 14, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 560 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316067474
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316067478
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 1.75 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #185,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #76 in Civil War Gettysburg History
- #451 in Native American History (Books)
- #1,941 in U.S. State & Local History

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4.6 977 ratings

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Daniel Hurley

Outstanding History of the Battle and its Participants: Excellent View of Custer's Battalions Movements and Final Stand

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2008

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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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Bronze Realm

Direct, not sugar coated history

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2012

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I found this book to be refreshing in that it attempted to report the events prior, during and after the Battle of The Little Bighorn in an almost news like summary. The author seemed to work hard to report events as they happened, with no prejudiced comments to color what transpired. He provided a quick overview of the history leading to the Native American uprising in The Black Hills, of Custer's life leading up to the infamous battle and the relationships of the main figures involved in the battle.

The various dislikes, jealousy and loyalty that formed the working relationship in the 7th Cavalry are outlined. It adds dimension to what could easily be one dimensional historical characters, I found the books handling of Benteen and Reno interesting. Other histories of the battle I have read really either built up Major Reno as a hero or Colonel Custer as a cad. This book lays bare the all too human frailties that made up these men's character, and it also shows that courage can sometimes appear in many different forms.

The Native American's are somewhat glossed over in some regard, but I suspect this is due to limited first person reports about actual actions the various main players took on the natives side of the event. The author did not want to report things that may or may not have happened based on hearsay or flimsy evidence.

The final chapters are devoted to what became of the survivors of the historic battle, the court marshal of Reno, Libby Custer's work toward reconstituting her husbands reputation and the sad legacy the scars of those days left on the men that survived the conflict.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Normally I savor books and read slowly, but I went through this one in three days, which is fast by my standards. I had hoped for a little more information about Custer's political standing at the time. I had heard he was considered a potential Presidential candidate should his Indian war have been fought to a successful conclusion. But this was never touched on when the topic turned to Washington DC politics at the time.

Finally, the battle itself is almost anti climactic because of the news like description of what we know for certain happened that day. I suppose those of us that picture Errol Flynn as Custer, think of the battle as some grandly courageous dramatic epic. This book drives home that war is dirty, scary, chaotic and fearful. The men that fight in wars can be petty, vindictive, cowardly or simply resigned to their fate, and yes, sometimes amazingly courageous.

I think any historian that wants a good overview of this conflict will enjoy "A Terrible Glory". I did!

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Thomas Hawkins

what really happened

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2024

Verified Purchase

after reading the book it seems very clear that officers RENO and BENTEEN did not have any intention of going to CUSTERS aid, and just ignored his request for help

Thomas Listl

Erklärt neben dem Ablauf der Schlacht vor allem die Hintergründe sehr gut

Reviewed in Germany on May 22, 2020

Verified Purchase

Eine erstaunlich gute geschichtliche Darstellung mit reichhaltiger Quellenangabe. Es wird die komplette Vorgeschichte zur Schlacht mit der individuellen Entwicklung und den maßgeblichen Handlungen der hauptsächlich agierenden Personen dargestellt. Außerdem auch das Nachspiel, die Untersuchung nach dem Desaster sowie das Ende der nomadischen Lebensweise der Indianer. Wer es allerdings nutzen will, um seine Englisch-Kenntnisse aufzufrischen muss mit einigen exotischen Vokabeln rechnen, die ihm vermutlich nie wieder begegnen werden - mit einem Sprachprogramm aber kein Problem. Insgesamt sehr lesenswert, füllt es doch eine Lücke, vor allem über die Motive der handelnden Personen.

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OYAMASENSEI

Historia auténtica y trepidante.

Reviewed in Spain on February 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

Me ha encantado ver las fotografías antiguas de los protagonistas, blancos e indios.

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Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on June 2, 2016

Verified Purchase

Excellent

Lockley Patrick

A New View of Custar.

Reviewed in France on November 18, 2015

Verified Purchase

A clear and objective portrayal of a famous incident, dispelling some of the mythology and showing Custar in a better light than is generally assumed. An excellent read.

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