Glory-Hunter: A Life of General Custer

The author's book about the life of General George A. Custer is a towering work, well researched, interesting and highly readable. Custer pursued Glory all his life until he finally embraced her on a lonely ridge in southeastern Montana in June of 1876. Custer's life's journey is here, from childhood and youth, his career at West Point and service in the Civil War, and Indian fighter. The author examines Custer impartially but honestly, his complex and contradictory personality, motives and grand designs, foolish pranks, cruelty and thoughtlessness during his career as an officer. A taskmaster with his men, Custer himself was insubordinate and headstrong but always had the backing of Generals Sheridan, Sherman and Terry whenever he found himself in trouble. Custer's triumphs and blunders are discussed here in equal measure with special attention given to his conduct at the Washita and his ill-advised testimony before the Congressional committee during the Belknap scandal. This book is probably the best ever written about General Custer.