Custer Myth

by W.A. Graham

Introduction by Brian C. Pohanka, 65 b/w photos 22 drawings 10 maps 7 x 10 "The Custer Myth is truly a source book. Students of the Indian Wars will be forever indebted to Colonel Graham for his compilation and to Fred Dustin for his comprehensive bibliography." -The New York Times Immediately after news of the disaster at Little Bighorn spread across the nation in June of 1876, editors, artists, and writers made George A. Custer into the battle's tragic hero. The laudatory biographies that followed and his widow's desperate attempts to preserve her late husband's heroic memory soon elevated his reputation to mythic proportions. But historian and lawyer W. A. Graham (1875-1954) was not interested in the propaganda surrounding the Custer myth. In 1953 Stackpole first published William A. Graham's The Custer Myth, a much-needed reference work that presents original source material without the bias of interpretations and misconstructions. Now available in paperback, this classic study will continue to serve as an indispensable tool for every Custer researcher, student, and enthusiast.

Genres: History, Civil War

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Davy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skimmed this, there are some great first-hand accounts in this book derived from the trials and discussions afterwards. Good pictures too.

I have a particular interest in General Nelson A. Miles and there were interesting discussions of he and the team that were at the scene of the battle in the days after.

Mine has a tremendous Warhol-ish mod pic of bright yellow haired Custer on the cover. The red around the mouth wreaks of death.

The Custer myth hit me really hard when I was a kid.

Update: i also have this in a small coffee table hardback. Paid $8 at the Alvin TX Antique Mall, which is about to go under.
RIP.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

While many believe that Lt.Col. {be vert General] George Armstrong Custer was a hero, many others believe that he was a glory seeking ego-manic. Graham examines the myths around Custer and the so called ambush. Enough information is given that the reader is free to make their own conclusions.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is controversy about George Armstrong Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Graham has compiled facts and documents regarding Custer. I feel that this work is a good start for anyone desiring to study the battle and the man.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confusing, contradictory, but an outstanding compendium of little known first hand accounts of the Battle on the Little Big Horn. Explains many of the arguments put forward by those who believed Custer was at fault and by those who didn’t.

[Cordell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two must have books for anyone who is looking into George Custer. This is one of them. This is considered one of the original source documents.

The other book is Custer 76 from the field notes of Walter Camp. Both of these are absolute must have.

The customer myth by WA Graham is phenomenal. I would highly recommend it to anyone who’s going to look into this at all. It’s basically a collection of original documents and original sources that he put together and it’s fascinating. I love it.

The starting end date look odd because you never finish reading this book. You’re always going back to it.

But this and the book Custer 76 are a must if you want to seriously look at the little big horn.

[Drpsychorat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very handy research book for serious students of Custer’s Last Stand.