Road We Do Not Know: A Novel of the Little Bighorn

After reading the reviews here, I agree totally with the comparisons of Frederick Chiaventone's "A Road We Do Not Know" to Shaara's "The Killer Angels." This book is that good!Chiaventone's wonderful dramatization is simply the best fictional account of the Little Bighorn that I have ever read. The reader is taken from moment Custer's scouts spot the hostile village's pony herd in the pre-dawn darkness of June 25, 1876 to the burying of the torn, mutilated remains of 265 American soldiers on June 27. In between the men and events of that battle are brought vividly to life with terrific historical detail and well-thought out conjecture. Chiaventone goes into the thought processes of the commanders, both white and Indian, and the emotions of the average soldier or warrior. It is refreshing to see Lakota and Cheyenne leaders portrayed as able tacticians, and not just inspirational leaders without any thought of how to engage the enemy. Chiaventone shows Gall and Crazy Horse outthinking the 7th Cavalry as well as outfighting and outnumbering them.It is also refreshing to see Chiaventone trying to rehabilitate the military reputation of General Custer. Over that last fifteen years, many historians (Utley, Hutton, Wert, Barnett ect.) have tried to tear down the current popular image of Custer as a blustering, racist, glory-hunting fool, and some novelists, such as Chiaventone and Michael Blake, have followed suit. In "A Road We Do Not Know", George A. Custer is shown as a very capable and experienced commander. (You don't become a brevet major general at the age of 25 for being an idiot!) Is he portrayed as Errol Flynn? No! But he is also not portrayed as a one dimensional, cardboard villain like on "Dr. Quinn." However, Custer's image is so intertwined with our national guilt over the treatment of the Indian that I don't think his reputation will ever fully be rehabilitated, but I do take my hat off to Chiaventone for trying.It's a shame that Simon and Schuster really did not support this book when they published it, it deserves a far bigger following. It also deserves to be ranked with "The Killer Angels" as one of the finest pieces of historical fiction on the subject of men in combat.

Although fictional, this book is so uncannaly accurate in its attention to detail on the know facts and the characters that fought on that day, the reader does believe that they are finally uncovering the truth behind Custer's final moments. It is a thrilling read, both for a Custer buff or for a fan of Western/Military novels. The combatants on June 25th 1876, up to now one dimensional history book figures, become 'real'. The book should form the basis for a movie script, which would finally see the film studios complete an accurate portrail of America's most compelling battle.

Chiaventone's research had to be extremely thorough to bring the key historic characters to life from the LBH. Seen through the eyes of the young Chief of Scouts Lt. Varnum and major participants such as the acerbic Captain Benteen, Reno, Gall, Sitting Bull, Scout Mitch Bouyer, Crazy Horse, Captain Keogh, Charlie Reynolds, and on. Benteen's dialogoue particularly captures the spirit of Benteen for anyone that has read Benteen's sarcastic and bitter sounding letters in reference to Custer. The final battle scenes of Custer's battle ridge seem as probable as anyone else's theory. The portrayal of the actions of Keogh's company is particularly fascinating and could explain their unique groupings (headstones) where "I Company" fell. Recommend reading a few excellent Custer books first like Utley's or Gray's to fully benefit from this engrossing action oriented book that is framed with historical accuracy. As another reviewer stated, it's on par with "Killer Angels", the other best well researched and plausible historical fiction book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the footnotes to be very helpful. There were so very many more people involved besides Custer, Sitting Bull, etc. The Native Americans were families doing what families do - enjoying their day, grinding corn, cooking. They became "real," not just Lakota people. The "ordinary" soldiers also became real. I compare this book to "The Killer Angels" for "fleshing out" the participants. Again, these were real people. I believe that Mr. Chiaventone did an excellent job of creating dialog that is believable based on the situation and the times. I have recommended this book to many people and it is one that I intend to read again.

Even though this book was written by a wasichu, it is truly the best account of the Greasy Grass that I have ever read. True to the spirit of the times, this is a gripping and heartbreaking book. Even we Lakota find it without peer among the thousands of books written. My Great-Grandfather was the Wicasa Wakan of the Oglala and I believe he would agree. Hokahe! (Tatanka Ptcele