A Google user
I had no idea that General Custer was such a scholar and excellent author. This book was difficult to put down as I was fascinated by not only the historical events as related by a military man, but also found the digressions about culture or some of the characters ("Wild Bill" and "California Joe") added much color. For example, I had no idea that buffalo herds moved single file along 12-18" wide tracks that traversed the country north-south. This was because the rivers on the Plains mostly flow from west to east and the buffalo wouldn't have far to travel before coming upon a new source of water.
In this narrative, Custer allows the reader to understand many of his difficult decisions when weighing lives and war in one hand versus longterm peace in the other. While he could have attacked and overwhelmed an entire settlement of Indians that he had been searching for, he successfully opts for negotiating the release of two white women who would have most certainly been killed had a major fight broken out. Eventually, he even succeeds in convincing these Indians to embrace peace through clever strategems.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
John Marshall
Custer had a keen sense of observation and a fine wit. Like many well educated 19th century authors, he drew from common resources unknown in our day. He reminds me of Mark Twain.
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