My Life on the Plains

This first person account is very well written and consistently interesting. I cannot praise Custer enough having read in his own words what his thoughts were in conjunction with his actions. It is a crime how this man has come to be depicted in our time, based on pure ignorance and the fact that his troops were wiped out by overwhelming force in the end. Those who categorize this man as arrogant or stupid are themselves quite simply ignorant on the subject, and this statement is from far more study on this subject than based solely on Custer's own book. Custer demonstrates a great sense of humor, self deprecating, high praise for others, high integrity, utter fairness, and unquestionable courage. Probably a surprise to many would be his high respect for Indians, which he many times praisesd, although he does not hesitate to also point out negatives in some. He was strongly against the continual taking advantage of the Indians by our nation. The fact that he fought them when necessary was due to his being an army officer charged with protecting the settlers. This man admired the indians in general and their tactics and courage in particular. Much further reading brings out how the Indians with whom he delt had consistently high respect for Custer, and this is from their own accounts. With many he was very good friends. Even those who were involved at the final Little Big Horn battle praised the leadership of the troops who were wiped out, that they were obviously led by a great leader. It was not until after the battle that it was learned that it had been Custer, the leader of those troops. One cannot come away from this book without having learned a great deal about the reality of those days, and that it is not all as is currently depicted.

Apparently this book, 'My Life on the Plains' was taken from magazine/newspaper articles Custer wrote on himself. As such, it is clearly self-appreciative but, still, it's an invaluable document written by one of America's most controversial figures. He descibes himself as an Indian figher par excellence...but...he relates nothing of his courtmarshal following the raid on an Indian village. Despite the success he describes in the raid, an isolated troop was abandoned and died to the man. This is reminiscent of the fight at the Little Big Horn where he reportedly told Reno that he would ride to Reno's support once Reno struck the south end of the village. He didn't. Custer's troop rode north, probably to cut off what he thought would be the retreating Sioux. Reno quite probably was used as an unknowing diversion. Reno managed to extracate himself with heavy casualties. Custer, of course, road into 'glory.' A very telling story embedded in Custer's chronicle is one that he, quite amazingly, tells on himself. In his first encounter with a buffalo he is determined to shoot it. He abandons his soldiers in a wild ride over the plains drawing close to the panicked animal. Several times Custer has the opportunity to shoot but doesn't because he's having so much fun. Finally, miles from his troop, he decides to shoot the buffalo. At the moment his pistol fires, his horse jerks his head in front of the barrel and the horse--not the buffalo--fall dead. I think this story tells everything we need to know militarily about Custer. He was a big kid, unfit for command. Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

No one can read My Life on the Plains without coming away with a changed view of Custer as a military leader and an important historical figure. I often tell people that Custer was a great writer and direct people to read this book. I am occasionally met with laughter and suspicion--except by those who take my advice and read it. Amazingly well-written, and very descriptive.

This book lets the reader into the mind of one of America's most fascinating military men, George A. Custer. He shows his talent for writing and vividly paints a picture of what life was like on the Western Plains. This book is a MUST for any student of the Old West or military historian.

Called by Frederick Benteen, "My Lie on the Plains" this is Custer's personal description of his adventures on the Plains. Of necessity it minimizes his Court Martial and other acts of ommission and commission because of Custer's self-view. Notwithstanding this the book gives insights into the psychology of a man who wished to become a legend and did. Any student of Plains History and Custer's part in it, must certainly read the man's own words.