The Battle of the Little Bighorn

Sandoz has given us a first hand version of the famous battle. Although written primarily from the viewpoint of the 7th Cavalry, Sandoz captures the emotion from all points of view. Obviously Sandoz has done extensive research into the various "eyewitness" accounts to piece together a story that grabs the reader from the very beginning and keeps you turning the pages. At some point the author has to make some assumptions and present her own theories as she follows the final minutes of Custer and his men. While there will be those that question the accuracy of these assumptions, if the reader suspends that doubt for the time being, you will feel the fear that Reno and his troops felt as death crept closer and closer. You will begin to picture the various stages of the battle unfolding as you follow the fate of the different companies of the 7th. Sandoz does a masterful job of crafting her words. To me it brought the battle to life in the best descriptive format that I have ever read. I came away not only feeling like I knew the battle better, but I also felt like I knew the people involved at a deeper level as well.

I'm not a Custer or Army or western Americana buff, but as many others have, I have been fascinated by this episode. What I found in Sandoz's book, moreso than in others, is that my visual cortex seemed to be working better, based on the vivid descriptions. I was able to picture the layout and scenery better than before, the visual imagery. That said, Sandoz does have a somewhat peculiar style of writing, in this work. Possibly, as someone else noted herein, it was ghost written based on her notes. Anyway, reading this book will chill anyone who can identify with the losing side, what it must really be like to stare death in the face, before actually dying. Diximus.

Mari Sandoz vividly re-tells the Battle of Little Bighorn. A must for all history buffs.