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Product Reviews:
Lakota Noon: The Indian Narrative of Custer's Defeat |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Lakota Noon: Per Oral Tradition
Comments: The Custer myth is addressed by the eye witness accounts of those native warriors who engaged in the battle known amoung almost all US citizens as "The Battle of the Little Bighorn," or to the Lakota as "The Battle of Greasy Grass." The US army and government could not tolerate this defeat and the myth of Custer arose. This battle was fought by the Indians using the Calvary's own rules - kill the enemy - and they did so in the defense of their wives, children and families.
These accounts by the actual combantants were archived, however dismissed due to the oral tradition of NOT speculating on events not directly witnessed, as is often done in the dominant society. These acocunts sat in files since the battle and have finally seen the light of day. The battle is stitched together in a series of 15 minute increments detailing what was done directly and who was involved. This book is definetely not "They Died With Their Boots On." This battle was a head's up even event against the best light horse fighters in the world and the Lakota and their allies won!! The victory held it's own consequences, however that's for another book.
It is time to learn some real history for a change. This book is a beginnig.
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Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Thorough and detailed analysis of the Little Big Horn battle
Comments: This book is a thorough and detailed analysis of the Little Big Horn battle built based upon the Indians' viewpoint. Although the book can be tedious at times, the reason that I gave it4stars, it is probably the best analysis of the battle written to date.
The layout of the book helps the analysis. The book is laid out in chapters that cover 10 minutes in length on that date and cover the period on June 25, 1876 from 3pm (with Reno's attack) to after 6pm with the final destruction of Custer's command. Also, there are excellent maps accompanying each 10 minute period (probably the best of any book cover the battle) showing where each Indian was and where Custer's and/or Reno's commands where at this time period.
The book shares the specifics of each Indian's comments in each of the 10 minute increments (the author estimates where these should go) and then has a summary discussion of that 10 minute period. As the author states, he tries to stay with the facts. Consequently, there is little conjecture with this book. And, the book challenges other sources, e.g. David Miller's Custer's Fall especially, in their conjectures.
However, there are some interesting conclusions from this book that make sense. (1) Calhoun's company, with the continual volleys at the Indians, was not effective, as few Indians were killed by their action (which is contrary to even recent books comments, e.g. The Last Stand by Philbrick). (2) There is no proof that Custer was killed at the start of the battle and in fact, the source White Cow Bull of that comment contradicated other sources about what happened at the river crossing.
If you are a real aficionado of the battle, this book is highly endorseed for you. However, casual readers will probably not be interested. |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: What the Indians reported
Comments: I read this after reading "A Terrible Glory" and was amazed that so much Native American testimony of the battle is available, even if it is fragmentary, contradictory, and often given decades after the events they describe. Some of the Native veterans of this battle were still alive in the 1940s and 50s and still offering views of what happened. Of the thousands of people in that village that was attacked by Custer, it seems a shame that only 40 or so seem to have ever had their memories recorded by historians or military or civilian interviewers. Why were many of the others neglected? This is a compelling account of the battle and, along with the archaeological record and Army records up to the time that Reno's unit split from Custer's, is basically all that is available. Unless something else turns up. |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: The important 10 minutes in time
Comments: Michno's work is excellent, with the exception of his failure to include the reports of the Crow scouts. The main question that plagued me (and historians) is: Did Custer or any main body approach or cross the LBH? Michno partly answers the question: By focusing on the stories of the4to8defenders at the river, Michno proves an Army force went to the river and was repulsed. He also supplies strong analysis that it was not Custer, nor were there2deaths at the river. The best book on the incident by far. |
Rating: 3 (out of 5)
Summary: great Effort, Contoversial, however Contradictory
Comments: Author Greg Michno put a valiant effort into reconciling the multitude of Native American testimonies that surround the Little Big Horn battle. I personally wish he would have quoted their exact testimony, THEN supplied his interpretation of their statements. It would have saved me time in looking up their actual statements in my collection. Obviously, there is much dispute over what a particular warrior was trying to say and in almost all cases, Mr. Michno's views are as valid and thoughtful as almost all. I did find some of his "Discussions" contradictory however. For example, when discussing the "Henryville" archeological finds, Mr. Michno states that these shots could not have been fired at the soldiers on Calhoun Hill. In support, he states that the Native Americans did not shoot it out with the soldiers at close range, preferring instead to snipe from long range. Thus, this position "had to be" occupied later in the battle. He also states in that discussion that the warriors did not close for hand-to-hand combat. This is contradicted by his interpretations that 1)they did charge in this battle,overrunning the soldier positions 2) that in the earlier stages of the battle they primarily used bows and arrows ( short range weapons, especially when firing uphill), 3) in order to reach positions to charge they had to close to short range, & 4) that tests proved that the effective range of the Henry and Winchester rifles was only about 100 yds, with hits dropping off dramatically at greater ranges.
Overall, however, his book supplies food for thought and helps fill a niche that has been too often overlooked. |
