Custer: The Controversial Life of George Armstrong Custer

by Jeffry D. Wert

Book Overview

Draws on previously overlooked documents to probe the puzzles that have continued to mark the legendary general's life and career.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684810433
• ISBN13: 9780684810430
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 462 Pages
• Weight: 1.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Thorough

The best review of Custer I've read. Better than Monaghan's read. A must read for those interested in his life.

Great for the person looking for just 1 book on Custer

Jeffry Wert has done a wonderful job here in covering the life of one of the more controversial Generals in American history. The book is comprehensive and covers Custer from his early days as a boy (and for a short time, school teacher) in the midwest through West Point, the Civil War, his days in Kansas and finally his famous and final battle at Little Big Horn. This book is a perfect fit for anyone who is interested in Custer but doesn't want to read 3 or 4 different books on the man. Yes, there are books out there that cover his life in the Civil War more in depth or that deal with Little Big Horn more but for those new to Custer and want a good overview of the man in one volume, this is perfect. One thing I like about Wert is he's very balanced on Custer. We read in Wert's book about the man, his triumphs and some of his not so shining moments. Custer had great success during the Civil War and was highly thought of by his fellow commanders for both his courage and skills. He truly was one of the great calvary commanders of the Civil War. At the same time Wert recounts some not so shining moments like Custer's attempt to trump his commanders at Appomattox by crossing the lines and trying to bluff Longstreet into surrendering the Army of Northern Virginia to him (Longstreet in short told Custer to buzz off). It also frankly deals with Custer's court martial at Fort Leavenworth where Wert does not excuse Custer's actions that landed him in hot water. Wert really did a nice job on the research. At the same time Wert is a talented writer with a style that is easy and enjoyable to read. If you are looking for one book to read about Custer, this would be a good choice.

A Life of the Lucky General

Most people know little of George Armstrong Custer except of his death on the Little Big Horn river on June 25, 1876. (Was he the last General to lead his troops into battle, and die?) In his 36 years he lived in very interesting times. He wanted fame and glory, and bought it on a Sunday afternoon. "Custer has been the subject of more books and articles than any American except Abraham Lincoln" (p.9). He was also controversial. This book covers both the Civil War and the postwar years, and is based upon recent scholarship and research. The Bibliography has seven pages of unpublished sources and twenty pages of published sources.The Civil War meant an early graduation from West Point, and Custer was sent to the Second Cavalry and Bull Run. Brevet Captain Custer was promoted to Brigadier General in 1863. He was one of the youngest Union Generals in the Civil War. He adopted a brilliant crimson necktie that was copied by his troops (the 'red badge of courage'?). Custer and his 7th Michigan defeated JEB Stuart's Invincibles to help win the battle of Gettysburg. Custer gained the confidence and admiration of the entire brigade (p.101). There was no question of his bravery, leadership qualities, or skill in combat (p.102). Thousands of square miles of land were given to the railroads. They would profit when white settlers bought this land, grew crops, and used the railroads for transportation. The Army was used to pacify the Indians on the Great Plains, and ethnically cleanse these lands. The Indians fought back in many battles, but lost. Peace treaties were made to place tribes on reservations. Forts were built to protect settlers and towns. Cavalry was used on these vast plains, but were limited by their wagon trains. The army's job was to keep the Indians on the reservation. In 1873 the Northern Pacific sought military protection for its planned railroad thru Montana and Wyoming. On August 4, 1873 Custer and about 90 troops scouted the Yellowstone. They were attacked by 300 Sioux. The troops retreated to the cottonwood trees and held them off. When their ammunition ran low, Custer mounted a counterattack and the Sioux fled. The cavalry with discipline, fire-power (Spencer rifles), and leadership could oppose a larger force of warriors. Three years later Custer's luck ran out. The last chapters tell all about Custer's Last Stand.

An epic book about an epic life

I completely enjoyed this book. I have read it twice and keep a copy for reference. Mr. Wert tells an exciting story of possibly the most maligned military leader in American history. The reader gets a feel of what the real Custer was. Not a super-hero of the wild west and not the evil egomanic that has been put forth by some revisionist. Custer was above all a solider doing his duty and except for one fatal day in June 1876, he did it better than most. Great job Mr. Wert.

The best biography of George Armstrong Custer ever written

Wert's biography of the flamboyant soldier, who has become more of a symbol in the 20th Century than a genuine person, is highly objective, addressing both the positive aspects of Custer's personality and career and also the negative side. In examining the numerous controversies and charges which surround the memory of George Custer, Wert carefully presents the evidence pro and con and renders a judicious conclusion. The book is balanced between Custer's early career with its extraordinary successes during the Civil War and his life after the end of that war, when he was faced by challenges worse than those of a Virginia battlefield. Through strong, unembellished prose, Wert builds a well-rounded portrait of a soldier and a man, neither without flaw nor yet the caricature that he has become in recent decades.