The Custer Reader

by Paul Andrew Hutton (Editor)

'Interest in the career of George Armstrong Custer has been unflagging since his death in battle near the Little Bighorn River in 1876, and books and articles about him have flowed steadily. It is time, then, that a diligent scholar and able editor should seek out the best that has been written by and about Custer, both by contemporaries and modern scholars, and package it for those who thrive on Custeriana as well as for those who would simply like to know more about him. Mr. Hutton has done a fine job of presenting both the man and the many myths that have grown up around the boy general of the Civil War and the colorful Indian fighter of the plains' - "Washington Times".'[These] well-illustrated pages contain just about everything you'd want to know about the impetuous, courageous but not overly clever [Custer]...Some of the most gripping reports are those of officers who actually participated in the fatal expedition and its maneuvers in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. The Indians get their word in, too, most notably a grisly account of the 1876 battle by an eighty-year-old Cheyenne woman named Kate Bighead...Certainly the dashing, war-loving Long Hair - which is what the Indians called their implacable enemy - never seemed more vivid a figure than in this unusual anthology' - "Parade Magazine". 'Very seldom is a book a pure joy to read; "The Custer Reader" is such a book. It offers standard texts and fresh insights about the United States' most famous - and most maligned - military figure' - "True West". 'May well become the definitive book on this mythical and thoroughly controversial figure' - "AB Bookman Weekly". Paul Andrew Hutton, the editor, is an associate professor of history at the University of New Mexico. His books include the prize-winning "Phil Sheridan and His Army" (Nebraska, 1985).

Genres: History, Westerns

585 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1992

Reviews

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Hutton, as the editor, presents a selection of articles on the life, career and famous death of George Armstrong Custer. Four of the articles were new at the time of publication: Gregory J. W. Urwin Custer: the Civil War Years; Brian W. Dippie Custer: the Indian Fighter; Robert M. Utley The Little Big Horn; Eric Von Schmidt Sunday at the Little Big Horn with George. The section introductions are provided by the editor and each section, The Civil War, The Indian Wars, The Little Big Horn, and The Custer Myth, closes with a photographic essay. All of the other articles or extracts are reasonably well known, including accounts by Custer himself, Charles W. Larned, Chief Joseph White Bull and Kate Bighead.

The volume as a whole is a fascinating read, covering Custer's life from West Point to the Little Big Horn. However, it leaves open the main question: Why did Custer do what he did on June 25, 1876? That it is open one would expect. The only person who knew the answer died on June 25, 1876. Nevertheless, it is good to have so much information and detail on his earlier career, even if some of it may be supposition or opinion. I found the final section, The Custer Myth, the most interesting as the authors look into the depictions of Custer in the movies, on TV, in the written word, and in paintings and illustrations.

That there is still a myth is disappointing. People insist on showing Custer at the Little Big Horn with sabre in hand (not true - the 7th Cavalry did not carry swords into that battle), long curly red hair (not true - he had his hair cut before riding out) and standing at the top of a hill defying his attackers (probably not true - his body was found lower down with other members of the troop). Perhaps one day archaeologists will turn up something on the battlefield or historians will uncover a lost document that will provide answers. For now, The Custer Reader remains a very useful collection.

[Schoppie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hutton has done a great job gathering some of the most important Custer articles on subjects ranging from the Civil War, Indians Wars, his famous "last stand," and the films, artwork, and myths surrounding the general. The ways in which Custer has been re-invented by novelists, films, and artwork since his death are described in great detail in this work. I highly recommend this book as "required reading" for anyone seeking a true understanding (if such can be acquired) of Custer and his place in history and myth.

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting collection of writings both about and by Custer. Some of the passages were written soon after the massacre. I do find it interesting that Little Big Horn is referred to as a massacre and Gettysburg or the Falaise Gap are referred to as battles. This book was mentioned in Indian Yell by Michael Blake the author of Dances With Wolves.