Posted by Jayne on November 16, 1999 at 10:02:58:
In Reply to: Re: posted by Rich on November 16, 1999 at 04:32:43:
: : Timely mention of the new Little Bighorn book,Rich. I'm just finishing "Son of the Morning Star" and have "Killing Custer" waiting. Have you read either of those?
: Yes, Jayne ... both.
: "Son of the Morning Star," is, I think, an excellent work that is most suited to the uninitiated. It's written by a skilled novelist and so reads very well. If someone knows nothing about Little Bighorn, that's a great first read ... a good story telling job.
: "Killing Custer" is also a good read ... I disagree a bit on some of the conclusions, however. I feel one must be careful with the "Indian side of the story" books for several reasons - and I'm not discounting Indian testimony AT ALL, for it is one of the most valuable resourses available in assessing what happened on that field - It's just that to gain a true perspective, one must read it all, particularly the more recent archaeological studies that shed ENORMOUS light on things & helps to make first-person accounts much more understandable. There is SO much Indian testimony, much of it apparently contradictory, that you can pretty much write any account you choose based on that alone ... I'll stop there before I get into trouble!
: On my "Against All Odds" web site, I list some of my favorite works on the subject ...
Hi, Rich.
Thanks for your input on the two books. I understand what you are saying about the contradictions. In "Son of the Morning Star" there are many contradictory testimonials on both soldier and Indian sides. I find it interesting how the author tries to wade through it all to come up with the most probably explanations. I wonder as I read how the truth could ever be known about what happened there. I'm sure many mysteries will remain just that. Perhaps further reading, especially regarding the archaeological studies,will help in that respect. And I will be sure to visit your link when time permits.
Have a great week!
Jayne