|
Post by Moderator1 on Jan 22, 2016 18:39:00 GMT
What books do you find the most useful LBH or the Centennial Campaign? Which would you recommend for a beginner? What about a more advanced researcher?
|
|
|
Post by yanmacca on Jan 22, 2016 20:54:48 GMT
I could not be without these books;
The March of the Montana Column (Lt. Bradley Drawing Battle Lines (Donohue) Custer’s Last Campaign (Grey) Fred’s two books (obviously)
Yan.
|
|
|
Post by quincannon on Jan 22, 2016 21:20:07 GMT
Since the question asked was "most useful", I would choose Caesar's Commentaries.
Had Custer read it and heeded the lessons contained therein, he would have beaten the pants off the hostiles. That I find useful, especially since we often go down the trail of WHIFF and golden Dreams.
|
|
|
Post by deadwoodgultch on Jan 22, 2016 22:07:31 GMT
No particular order, not listed above:
Archaeology(Fox) Fighting Cheyenne's(Grinnell) Stricken Field(Green) Mystery of E Troop(Michino) Godfrey Diary(Godfrey) RCOI Custer's Best (MacLean) Vanishing Victory(Liddic) A Terrible Glory(Donovan) The Story of The Little Bighorn(LT.Col. W.A. Graham) JSIT(Liberty) Wooden Leg: A Warrior Who Fought Custer(Marquis)
|
|
|
Post by Beth on Jan 22, 2016 22:47:08 GMT
I love my books by Scott Douglas as well as Fox. My interest in LBH has always come from my interest in the battlefield itself and the evolved into an interest in the battle and finally the personalities.
I find Fred's book good references--nothing wrong with references--same for the RCOI. I just use reference books differently.
A Terrible Glory and Son of Morningstar are good for general story telling--after all it's good storytelling that leads to further exploration of the subject. I don't think I would recommend Philbrick's book as highly. It was readable but in a light beer sort of way when you really want a stout.
I would probably recommend Godfrey's Diary and JSIT to anyone as a next read after Donovan, Philbrick or Connell. I am a firm believer in getting as close as you can to primary sources as soon as you have a general overview
|
|
|
Post by quincannon on Jan 23, 2016 0:15:38 GMT
I do like "Custer's Luck" by Stewart for the narrative. Dated, but I believe well written.
An important book on Custer is "Glory Hunter" by Van de Water. I think its importance lies though in that it is the first to my knowledge that strips away the patina of the Custer hero persona, and starts to look at him with a more critical eye. I think it a sea change in the telling of the Custer/LBH story.
People are attracted to LBH for a variety of reasons. Professionals are attracted to LBH as a case study of what not to do, and what caused the what not to do's. In the end though it all comes back to leadership, tactical competence, training, and organization for combat. In this Custer failed miserably in all four areas, and no matter who tells the tale, no matter the slant or agenda, those conclusions are inescapable to all but the completely insane.
|
|
dave
Brigadier General
Posts: 1,679
|
Post by dave on Jan 24, 2016 4:18:42 GMT
Some of my favorites that have been most enlightening and informative:
The Custer Myth (Good primer for new students and a valuable resource) The Strategy of Defeat at the Little Big Horn Participants in the Battle of the Little Big Horn Son of the Morning Star The Benteen and Goldin Letters
Touched by Fire
A Terrible Glory
Killing Custer
To Hell with Honor
They Died with Custer (Great source of information about the bodily injuries of soldiers) Sixty-six Years in Custer's Shadow (written by a land owner who studied the battle) Little Big Horn Remembered
Drawing Battle Lines
Where Custer Fell
Custer's Last Campaign (The first real effort at a time line) Fights on the Little Horn
Michael Bonafede's map
I am sure I have others I just haven't looked. Regards Dave
|
|
|
Post by quincannon on Jan 24, 2016 18:12:53 GMT
I have looked at all the books listed, and as far as a bibliography of LBH goes it is right on target.
What surprises me though, except for my backhanded mention of "Commentaries" there is no listing of Caesar, Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Jommini and others. These were, except Sun Tzu, widely known and read in the west. The ACW shows the direct influence on thinking and actions taken based upon the works of C, C, and J, thus an expression of contemporary military thought. How can a battle be understood without a firm basis for that understanding?
|
|
|
Post by yanmacca on Jan 24, 2016 18:59:49 GMT
Did I ever post this before? linkThen how about this one; linkIf so then please forgive me. Yan.
|
|
|
Post by Beth on Jan 25, 2016 0:25:02 GMT
I have read a couple translation of Sun Tsu--most of it is applicable to about anything in life, not just war. I was surprised to find that Commentaries isn't available as a Kindle but did find it here
|
|
|
Post by Beth on Jan 25, 2016 0:31:46 GMT
I started Custer's Trials before Christmas but had to shelf it--it just was not conductive to a festive Christmas mood. I need to go back to it. I found a very good read but aggravating in parts.
|
|