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A review by liberrydude
The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick
4.0
Why do we need another book on the Little Big Horn? I've read Connell's and Donovan's books on the subject and enjoyed them. Nevertheless, I was curious to see how Philbrick would immerse himself in a non-nautical theme, although you could argue this environment is just a sea of grass.
Philbrick does a superb job. The soldiers and Indians come alive in this narrative and you want to keep turning every page. He tries to be even handed and impartial but it's hard not to make judgments. He singles out Terry particularly as a conniving person full of duplicitous orders. Terry was a lawyer and comfortable commanding a desk. He basically set up Custer for success or failure. According to Philbrick Terry's personality was such that he could even get the imperturbable skipper of the Far West, Grant Marsh, into a funk of self doubt. Philbrick highlights the contributions of Marsh to the expedition. Marsh is truly a man that I need to read more about. I never realized either the unique capabilities of the Far West in hauling itself over sandbars. Philbrick points this out; how the ship was equipped with winches, etc and would look like a bug hopping down the river. Marsh was the lynchpin to the Army's logistical operations in theater. We also read more about Benteen, who never served a commander who was worthy of him and his love for the game of baseball. We see Reno as the vacillating drunk who would only exert his leadership when shamed by junior officers. Some real lessons in leadership here.
Philbrick tells the Indian side of the story too. Sitting Bull actually was ready to talk rather than fight. Philbrick makes the point that Custer had a chance to win and almost pulled it off too.
And the maps!! Can't say enough about the great maps in this book. Lots of them and they are located appropriately. Great pictures in color of the battlefield as well as black and whites of the soldiers and Indians.
Glad I purchased this book.
Philbrick does a superb job. The soldiers and Indians come alive in this narrative and you want to keep turning every page. He tries to be even handed and impartial but it's hard not to make judgments. He singles out Terry particularly as a conniving person full of duplicitous orders. Terry was a lawyer and comfortable commanding a desk. He basically set up Custer for success or failure. According to Philbrick Terry's personality was such that he could even get the imperturbable skipper of the Far West, Grant Marsh, into a funk of self doubt. Philbrick highlights the contributions of Marsh to the expedition. Marsh is truly a man that I need to read more about. I never realized either the unique capabilities of the Far West in hauling itself over sandbars. Philbrick points this out; how the ship was equipped with winches, etc and would look like a bug hopping down the river. Marsh was the lynchpin to the Army's logistical operations in theater. We also read more about Benteen, who never served a commander who was worthy of him and his love for the game of baseball. We see Reno as the vacillating drunk who would only exert his leadership when shamed by junior officers. Some real lessons in leadership here.
Philbrick tells the Indian side of the story too. Sitting Bull actually was ready to talk rather than fight. Philbrick makes the point that Custer had a chance to win and almost pulled it off too.
And the maps!! Can't say enough about the great maps in this book. Lots of them and they are located appropriately. Great pictures in color of the battlefield as well as black and whites of the soldiers and Indians.
Glad I purchased this book.