I like historical non-fiction, and I like reading about interesting characters. Custer is certainly that. He was courageous and flamboyant; smart and politically unsavvy. He was a great general in the Civil War, without doubt. After the war, in the cavalry, he struggled to find his greatness.
His time at West Point as a young man was particularly interesting. The Civil War battles got a little boring for me, but they were well written and thorough. Those who like that kind of thing would like how the author handled them.
I thought his relationship with his wife was one filled with much love and devotion. As in everything--Custer went into love with both feet first--and conquered.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn is the tragic climax of the book, of course. Since no one survived, the author admits that the details are sketchy and gives the most honest account, possible.
I liked the book. Now the big question that I always have with biographies--did I like the man? If I met him, I don't believe we could have been friends--he was just way too different then me. Seriously, would anyone call me flamboyant?
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