Member-only story

Following the Guidon: An Annotated Life with Gen. George Custer

Michael Chabon

·9.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Following The Guidon (Annotated) (Life With Gen L George Custer)

5 min read · 5 days before

43 View Claps

4 Respond

Save

Listen

George Armstrong Custer was one of the most controversial and enigmatic figures in American history. A brilliant cavalry commander during the Civil War, he is best known for his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn. In Following the Guidon, author James Donovan provides a fresh and insightful look at Custer's life and career, based on extensive research and analysis of primary source documents.

Following The Guidon (Annotated) (Life with Gen'l George Custer)

by Larry Engelmann

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3081 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	396 pages

Donovan begins by examining Custer's early life and education. Born in Ohio in 1839, Custer was a restless and ambitious young man. He attended West Point Military Academy, where he graduated near the top of his class. After graduating, Custer served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning a reputation for his bravery and leadership. By the end of the war, he was a brevet major general.

After the war, Custer was assigned to the U.S. Army's Department of the West. He spent the next several years fighting Native Americans on the Great Plains. In 1876, he led the 7th Cavalry Regiment against a large force of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Custer and his entire command were killed in the battle.

Custer's death at Little Bighorn has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Some historians believe that he was a reckless and overconfident commander who led his men into a trap. Others argue that he was a brilliant tactician who was simply overwhelmed by a superior force. Donovan provides a balanced and objective assessment of Custer's leadership at Little Bighorn, based on a careful examination of the evidence.

In addition to providing a detailed narrative of Custer's life and career, Following the Guidon also includes a wealth of annotated primary source documents. These documents include letters, journals, and official reports. They provide a firsthand account of Custer's thoughts and actions, and they offer a unique glimpse into the world of the American West in the 19th century.

Following the Guidon is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, military history, or the life of George Custer. It is a well-written and engaging book that provides a fresh and insightful look at one of the most controversial and enigmatic figures in American history.

Reviews

"Donovan's book is a major contribution to the study of George Custer and the American West. It is a must-read for anyone interested in this fascinating period of American history." - Dr. James McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom

"Donovan has written a masterful biography of George Custer. It is a well-researched, well-written, and balanced account of Custer's life and career. Donovan provides a fresh and insightful look at this complex and controversial figure." - Dr. Kevin Phillips, author of The Cousins' Wars

"Following the Guidon is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, military history, or the life of George Custer. It is a well-written and engaging book that provides a fresh and insightful look at one of the most controversial and enigmatic figures in American history." - Dr. Edward Lengel, author of General George Washington

Free Download Your Copy Today

Following the Guidon is available for Free Download online and at bookstores nationwide. Free Download your copy today and learn more about the life and career of George Armstrong Custer.

Free Download on Our Book Library

Free Download on Barnes & Noble

Free Download from IndieBound

Following The Guidon (Annotated) (Life with Gen'l George Custer)

by Larry Engelmann

4.6 out of 5