The Battle of the Little Bighorn

Great Battles of History

by Mari Sandoz, Elaine Marie Nelson (Introduction)

Mari Sandoz’s beautifully written account of the battle in which General George Armstrong Custer staked his life—and lost it—reveals on every page the author’s intimate knowledge of her subject. The character of the Sioux, the personality of Custer, the mixed emotions of Custer’s men, the plains landscape—all emerge with such clarity that the reader is transported to that spring in 1876 when the Army of the Plains began its fateful march toward Yellowstone.

The background of the tragedy is here: the history of bad blood and broken treaties between the Indigenous nations and the United States, the underlying reason for Custer’s expedition and for the convocation of Indians on the Little Bighorn that particular year. Sandoz’s final book was the first analysis of Custer’s motives and political ambitions to shed light on an old mystery that was hotly disputed by the general’s admirers.

Historian Elaine Marie Nelson introduces this iconic work to a new generation and details the long, challenging road this book took to publication. Sandoz raced against time to complete the volume while undergoing cancer treatments, and the book was published just three months after her death. The Battle of the Little Bighorn is widely considered the apex of her writing.
 

Genres: History, Biography, War, Native American History, Native American, Nonfiction, Westerns

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Mari Susette Sandoz (May 11, 1896 – March 10, 1966) was a novelist, biographer, lecturer, and teacher. She was one of Nebraska's foremost writers, and wrote extensively about pioneer life and the Plains Indians.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book packs in so much detail, from the big picture of the political landscape to the hardships the soldiers and their horses & mules faced. As a kid in school, I remember Custer being portrayed as a heroic figure, a victim. Sandoz details his political aspirations to become president and how that tunnel vision led to his discounting reports of enemy numbers and strength, disobeying orders, and splitting his forces so he'd get all the glory in a victory, a move that sent many men to their deaths. He did all the things a good leader would never do.

[booklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fictionalized account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn written on a young adult level. When I first read Sandoz's book back in 2001 I accepted the history without question, which is one of the problems with historical fiction. This is fine, if the author gets all his/her facts straight. This time around, being aware of a few things which are off the mark* make me wonder how much else isn't quite right, insofar as personalities, suggestions and hints go. Given my limited knowledge, the main points of the story seem to track, but I've yet to read a definitive book on this battle.

Having trouble deciding on a rating. Would have given it 4 stars in 2001 and 2 stars now (simply for inaccuracies), so I'm splitting the difference and giving it 3.

*Sandoz refers to Fetterman of Fetterman's Fight as a 'willful and disobedient young Lieutenant' when he in fact was a 33 year old Captain whose reasons, motives and actions on the day of the famous fight remain a subject of debate to the present day. Sandoz, however, presents him as the immature cause of his own destruction, when even during the time frame the Battle of the Little Bighorn occurred, Fetterman's commander was the one blamed for the massacre as it was then termed, Fetterman recently having had a fort named after him.

First read from June 18 - July 22, 2001, which was before I was on Goodreads!

[Hal Issen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book answered for me the question: why would such a highly-regarded and (supposed) military genius stumble into such a disaster? In short, he was a military genius only in his own mind and valued by his superior officers for his unwavering faith in his abilities, but not as well regarded by those who served beneath him and as his equals. The details of the events from the US Military side are well researched and documented in this book. While the Native American perspective is presented, I would have liked alternating chapters with equal representation. This book is concise, well organized, with maps that help explain the course of the battle. Spoiler alert: Custer dies.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inkpaduta page 40 "Waist and Skirt People" page 145"inkpaduta and his small group of Santees who had fled to the Tetons after the troubles in the Spirit Lake region were probably the only practicing decapitators in the camp."

[Kyle Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written account of one of the most noted events in US history.

[R.a. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short but dense account of Custer’s failure at the Little Big Horn simply is wonderful.

In its beguiling 182 pages, this book provides a detailed account of the battles and individual men as well as the greater political ramifications: to both the United States at the time, and the Sioux Nation.

Here, we come to know Reno, Benteen, and McDougall as they struggle. We get a sense of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse as well.

And more than anything, we see WHY this engagement not only represented yet another broken contract but the most profane sacrilegious attack on Sioux culture.

Despite the description above, this is written history; and, the writing reflects this. Strict with the facts as well as the sources, Sandoz nevertheless brings us “there.”

My only small critique would be to enhance the maps, perhaps even add one more, so that the reader can see more clearly the geography and topography of the main charge and following operations.

A compact but great book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have visited Custer Battlefield with my family on many occasions, this is my first reading of the book recounting the battle by Nebraska author Mari Sandoz. The author obviously spent massive amounts of time researching all aspects of the battle. She has also included speculation regarding the reasons for General Custer's strategic and disastrous decision to split his division and miscalculated the sheer numbers of Indians that he faced.

Sandoz also takes an in-depth look at what happened to the men under the commands of Reno and Benteen. While they are treated as minor players in this tragedy, she treats these men and those who served under them as those who suffered terrific losses due to poor decision making by Custer.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is planning to visit Custer Battlefield in eastern Montana. While much has been discovered since this book was written, it will provide visitors with an introduction to the events that lead to this fateful battle in 1876.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of many books on the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Sandoz is more sympathetic to the Indian point of view. It is great for getting a balanced picture of the incident when read with other works.

[Cyndi Ries · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Nebraska author gives a clear account of the battle where Custer staked his life and lost. She tells of the 1876 massacre with accurate details which include characteristics of the Sioux, the personality of Custer, the opinions/comments of other soldiers/officers, and the Plains landscape. The reader experiences the Wild West, but also has the revelation of the Indians’ lack of trust with the government and the many broken treaties, their well-deserved revenge, the soldiers’ need for battles to advance their careers, and Custer’s desire to be the next Great White Father (President)—but only if he is considered a national hero.

[Chris Maddix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mari Sandoz has some well-founded, although in some cases extreme, views about Custer's adventure. Although it's hard to disagree with her conclusions, the level of certainty that she displays about the correctness of her opinions can be a bit off-putting. Still, this book is replete with detail and shouts familiarity with the topic.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical fiction book. This is how the author thinks the battle might have occurred. Gives a good perspective on what might have happened. Not a bad read.

[Mark Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you take into consideration when this book was written and the fact that it was a female author, this book is a landmark in historical literature. Sandoz has a way of making history both colorful and captivating because of her writing skills. This is one of the first books to address the Sioux side of the Plains Indian Wars.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What we have here is an account of the battle of the Little Bighorn, which to me seems like it was culled from the great many accounts that were out there rather than a historical fiction account one reviewer called it. I found it to be enthralling and the closing comments of the author in the last chapter interesting. I find this entire chapter in the history of the United States to be a sad and terrible time for the country. But being able to know the history and not repeat the mistakes is what is important.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was also assigned reading but amazingly well done and indeed a classic. The author does such a great job that it's hard to believe it's a fictional account. Although some will dispute her account which is okay as it
Is historical fiction most Tribal folks I've spoken with from the Sioux highly value the portrayal of the battle.

[Marshall Smiland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Custer, a Civil War hero, thought that a quick victory over the Sioux would elevate him to the Presidency. He went looking for a fight and he found one, but instead of victory he found death and his name became synonymous with foolish overconfidence.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most borrowed book from the library as a kid

[Donavyn Yerden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The battle of the little big horn was written by Mari Sandoz