"A Terrible Glory" by James Donovan

"A Terrible Glory" by James Donovan explores the graphic and chilling events leading up to the "Battle of the Little Bighorn" or if you prefer, "Custer's Last Stand," and its heartbreaking aftermath.

In the weeks following the "Battle of the Little Bighorn," rumors and stories were circulating on the East Coast, and all were looked on with skepticism.  Enemies and admirers alike could not believe such a huge figure like General George Armstrong Custer could be dead.  But it was true, Custer and the 210 men under his command were dead.  There were two survivors; Captain Myles Keogh's horse "Comanche" and another horse called "Nap," and they weren't talking!

The losses sustained by the U.S. Calvary were terrible, and someone had to be held accountable.  General Custer wasn't there to defend himself, but his grieving widow Elizabeth (Bacon) Custer spent the rest of her life painting a brave and noble portrait of her husband.

James Donovan's book shows us that it was Margaret (Custer) Calhoun who suffered the worst losses.  In a single day, this woman lost her husband, Lieutenant Jimmi Calhoun, her three brothers and a nephew.

With each telling of the battle, the number of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors grew from 1,500 to as many as 9,000, but their glory was short-lived.  The relentless pursuit of the remaining "non-agency" bands caused much suffering and starvation among the Native tribes.  The downfall of Custer's 7th Calvary was also the downfall of the Lakota and Cheyenne nations.

There have been many books written about the "Battle of the Little Bighorn," but none have done the superb job of putting flesh on the bones of the people involved and affected by this horrific two days in our nation's history, nor done such a thorough job of explaining what led up to the battle and what happened after it was over as "A Terrible Glory."