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CUSTER: The Controversial Life of George Armstrong Custer
written by Jeffry D. Wert
Studio : Simon & Schuster
by Simon & Schuster
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Released : 1996-06-12
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780684810430
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 12 reviews)
List Price : $27.50
Our Price : $7.83
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Product Description |
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A noted Civil War historian draws on previously overlooked documents, including personal letters of Custer and his contemporaries, to probe the puzzles that have continued to mark the legendary general's life and career. 25,000 first printing. |
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Americancivilwar.com Review |
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The outlines of Custer's life are familiar to all: After graduating last in his class at West Point, he rose to become the Union's youngest general on the strength of his flamboyance and military genius. Next came 12 years of checkered service in the American West, ending with the famous massacre at Little Bighorn. The most interesting unanswered question about Custer has less to do with his history than ours--why, more than a century later, are we so captivated by the man and his story? Wert believes the answer lies in the fact that Custer is a "symbol of the nation's guilt over its sad history of continental conquest." |
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Excellent |
This was my first autobiography to read about the life of Custer and it was well worth the time spent reading it.
Mr Wert's research was very extensive so he was able to bring to light some fasinating things about Custer's life, and particularly his love affair with his wife Libbie.
If there is a negative about this book it is the great amount of time spent covering the Civil War battles, but the Civil War is Mr Wert's area of expertise and I do enjoy reading about that period of American History.
Both the positives and the negatives are discussed about this very controversal figure leaving the reader to decide for himself what history will ultimately have to say about George Armstrong Custer. |
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Thorough |
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The best review of Custer I've read. Better than Monaghan's read. A must read for those interested in his life. |
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Gray for facts, Wert for flavor |
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This book incorporates many of the rather recent findings by Gray and others into a well told narrative. Wert "broke new ground" for me, by threading the begining of the division among Custer's officers into two camps, all the way back to the Civil War. Benteen served as a Lt. Col. under Custer's rival, Gen. James Wilson. Benteen carries the rivalry into their first meeting and it is reemphasized throughout their almost 10-year association. The chapters between the Civil War and the Little Big Horn add texture and dimension to the story. Wert quotes from some naughty letters to Libbie to demonstrate their genuine affection. While Wert's treatment of Custer's final battle may have differed with one reviewer, his assessment of Custer in the final paragraph of the Court-Martial chapter is harsh, accurate, and no "white wash" I like Gray for facts and Wert for flavor. |
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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. |
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nothing truly new but very readable |
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Jeffry Wert's biography on George Custer adds another book on already heavy load on this historical military leader whose main claim to fame was that he got himself and his command wiped out by the Indians. Wert's book proves to be well written, nicely researched and very readable. But I think Wert feel bit too sympathetic toward his subject, mildly whitewashing many of Custer's gross sins both as a man and as a commander. Outside of that, the book doesn't add much to the Custer lore. For novice Custer reader this would be a good start (first of many). For veteran Custer reader, it won't add much more then what you already know so you can let your money make your decision on if this book is worth your while. |
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