A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Big Horn -- The Last Great Battle of the American West by: James Donovan

This is a book that is an excellent source of information of the entire time period of the issues between the United States, and the Native American Tribes. This book provides a tremendous source of information, and is well documented -- but at times it could be burdensome, with information overload.

The book does an excellent job of exploring the man behind the persona of George Armstrong Custer, and it looks into his rise in the military, and how he became the man he was. It explores all of his weaknesses, as well as his strengths, and is honest in it's presentation. It provides an element of reality in the presentation of Custer as a man -- with all of his foibles, prejudices, and many of his driving motivations that ultimately led to this great battle between the 7th cavalry and the Sioux.

This book also explores many of the problems that led to the rebellion of the Sioux nation, and how those problems developed. It explains all of the treaties, and background history -- and provides an easy to understand look into the Native Americans perspective of their loss of land they considered sacred.

The book is good at providing a setting of the stage for the upcoming battle that would ultimately lead to the downfall of Custer. It also explores the ramifications of this battle, and how it altered the relations between the Sioux Nation, and the United States.

This book is a must read for anyone that is a true historian of the Native American cultures. As well as for those that study the development of the American West -- and how it became the stuff of legends.