The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Written by Nathaniel Philbrick
Narrated by George Guidall
4.5/5
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Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
The bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea (Winner of the National Book Award) the forthcoming Valiant Ambition (May 2016), sheds new light on one of the iconic stories of the American West
Little Bighorn and Custer are names synonymous in the American imagination with unmatched bravery and spectacular defeat. Mythologized as Custer's Last Stand, the June 1876 battle has been equated with other famous last stands, from the Spartans' defeat at Thermopylae to Davy Crockett at the Alamo.
In his tightly structured narrative, Nathaniel Philbrick brilliantly sketches the two larger-than-life antagonists: Sitting Bull, whose charisma and political savvy earned him the position of leader of the Plains Indians, and George Armstrong Custer, one of the Union's greatest cavalry officers and a man with a reputation for fearless and often reckless courage. Philbrick reminds readers that the Battle of the Little Bighorn was also, even in victory, the last stand for the Sioux and Cheyenne Indian nations. Increasingly outraged by the government's Indian policies, the Plains tribes allied themselves and held their ground in southern Montana. Within a few years of Little Bighorn, however, all the major tribal leaders would be confined to Indian reservations.
Throughout, Philbrick beautifully evokes the history and geography of the Great Plains with his characteristic grace and sense of drama. The Last Stand is a mesmerizing account of the archetypal story of the American West, one that continues to haunt our collective imagination.
Nathaniel Philbrick
Nathaniel Philbrick is a historian and broadcaster who has writen extensively about sailing. He is Director of the Egan Institute of Maritime Studies on Nantucket Island, and a research fellow at the Nantucket Historical Association. He was a consultant on the movie ‘Moby Dick’. He has lived on Nantucket with his wife and two children since 1986.
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Reviews for The Last Stand
26 ratings18 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Although his book includes many helpful maps of troop and Sioux movements, Philbrick focuses on the personalities of the men who led and fought the Battle of the Little Bighorn. His descriptions of the various actions are based on eyewitness accounts and later research; this is a very readable and very comprehensive and sympathetic book on Custer's last stand. What more can one ask for?
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I have the book but I listened to te audio edition. I found it quite interesting and very complete. A nice historical account of the epic Custer's last stand from every source possible. Also a history of Custer the man and all the events that preceded and followed the great plains indian wars. Great insight into the indians including Sitting Bull and Crazt Horse. There are tons of books on Custer and the battle and I would think this is one of the best.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is about the battle of "Little Bighorn" also known as "Custer's Last Stand", fought between combined forces of Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army of which George Armstrong Custer was an integral part. The book details the account in such a way that it seemed to me as if i was there watching the battle unfold infront of my own eyes. As far as the authenticity of the book is concerned, or whether the writer is biased or not, or who should be considered as a hero (Custer or Sitting Bull) is not for me to decide. I think it should be left to you or to some serious researcher. But writer's narrative style is excellent and he touches each and every aspect of the battle. Like how the soldiers were really frightened and yet at the same time some of them were very brave, how some of the officers like Reno were drinking during height of skirmish and how some of the soldiers were really coward, how cruel were sometimes both sides including Indian warriors and 7th cavalry soldiers, how Custer's lust for gaining or attaining the Glory all by himself led to incorrect decision of dividing the soldiers into small groups, and how personal conflicts between two persons, especially during war/fight can create difficulties for the rest of group. Overall it was an excellent book. I enjoyed it a lot and really recommend this book. It is certainly going to be one of the best books you will read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5One of the best accounts of the battle I have read. Fair unbiased, for Custer, the Indians and all involved, Still makes you wonder was it a blundering attempt at fame or a calcuated battle time decision that went wrong with no fault on Custer.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book looks at Custer's defeat at the Little Bighorn and the events leading up to this defeat, a week before the nations centennial celebrations. Philbrick tries to gather information from both sides to recreate the days before the battle. Difficult since the Native American participants use an oral tradition to hand stories down from generation to generation with very little written information to collaborate the stories. If you are interested in Custer's Last Stand this is a good book to start to learn about a tragic day for the American forces and the last great moment for Indians involved.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great job of reenacting what hapened at the Little Big Horn
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I read this after reading The Bounty, and the stories truly parallel one another. Just as we have only a partial knowing of Fletcher Christian and why he did what he did, so is the case with Custer. A flamboyant, distracted man (would probably be labeled ADD in this day & age, along with narcissistic personality disorder), there is no way to know what Custer's last thoughts and actions were. Philbrick provides both a character study and a well-defined history in this attempt to unlock Custer's Last Stand.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5As he did previously to the Pilgrims in 'Mayflower' and to Moby Dick, 'In the Heart of the Sea', Philbrick has once again taken one of our cherished national legends and exposed it to the harsh glare of truth. Whether you believe that Custer was a national hero or a vain, strutting popinjay whose actions doomed those in command, you are probably largely ill-informed. He also ably points out that the title 'The Last Stand' applies equally to those who fought on both sides of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This is an excellent study of one of the most famous battles in our nation's history.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A rare 5 star rating. Focuses on the days immediately prior to the Battle of the Little Bighorn (river), the battle(s), relationships between key players, Sitting Bull (his death is both shocking and hugely disappointing), letters between Custer and wife Libbie, travel for each side immediately before battle. There was also mention of previous battles and key events and decisions which led to the Battle, as well as themes of vengeance and career advancement. The book includes many, many very helpful maps, good photos, and a very good index. Even though I intended to just read this "straight-through", I found myself skipping all over the book, re-reading passages, re-checking maps, photos, skipping ahead to see what happens to certain characters - in short, studying the book instead of just reading it. I also went to Flickr and YouTube to get a better idea of the topography of the battlefield, very key to this event, and I will be visiting the battlefield soon. Like most Americans I came to this book with only a smattering of the facts, most of which were wrong. Some major aha's for me - everyone on the US side did not get wiped out, Custer's regiment was divided into 3 major battalions, and he commanded one, approximately 215 men all of whom were killed. But while the other battalions suffered key losses there many survivors. There is some controversy as to where and when Custer was killed. All three of the 7th Cavalry battalions hesitated instead of following the battle plan, and that contributed greatly to the outcome. The size of the Indian camp was humongous, 1000 lodges, 8000 Indians including women and children, spread near the winding river over a campsite 1/4 mile by 2 miles. Charges against much smaller such camps had been effective in 18 previous attacks by US troops, even though the troops were still typically outnumbered by 4-5 times. A few key officers (not Custer) were drunk during the course of battle and that caused many lost lives. I was also amazed to realize once again that at the time of battle (1876) one could ride trains from New York to San Francisco, and that this battle occurred the same number of years before my birth as the years I have lived (67)- not so long ago from my perspective. Finally, both Custer (my Life on the Plains) and his wife (Saddles and Boots) have written books, and I intend to read Libbie's about life at home during those years sometime very soon.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Last Stand is an utterly engaging historical novel about the battle of the Little Big Horn. What is fascinating about this work is that the focus is not entirely on George Custer, but instead the other commanders, such as Reno and Benteen are also given much scrutiny. Also analyzed at length are the actions and history of the Indian leaders, such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and others.Historical events leading up to the infamous battle are examined along with how the major participants on both sides interacted with their comrades. This analysis helped to humanize people who have become larger than life over the decades. History buffs will not be disappointed with this highly readable, well researched book.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Philbrick's skill at crafting a good story is on display. This detailed reconstruction of Custer's last campaign, as told from the perspectives of Custer, his fellow commanders and those who served under them, as well as from the point of view of their Indian opponents, is fast-paced, highly readable and very captivating.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5After reading 'The Last Stand' I can appreciate why Nathaniel Philbrick's works have all won prestigious recognitions. While it remains to be seen if his newest work will garner the same praise, I wouldn't be surprised if this eminently readable and researched book produces another feather for Philbrick's cap. Describing the egotistical personality of Custer is one thing, but it's quite another feat to get a grasp on the facts--and retell them so well--that were lost to time, the fog of battle, and the fact that all of the US military participants were slaughtered in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. While reading it I really began to regret not taking the time to visit the area while traveling through on our way to and from Yellowstone National Park this past year--but I would hardly begrudge a reason to make another trip out there.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very good! I've read Elizabeth Custer's memoirs, and enjoyed them. The Last Stand gave a very different perspective. I'm saving the book to give to my brother for Christmas.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is an interesting, well written account of the events we know as "Custer's Last Stand". Philbrick does an excellent job of presenting the diverging views of the participants of the battle who survived -- including the Native American combatants, scouts and many innocent civilians who are caught up in the conflict. He makes it clear that the actual events immediate to Custer's death are unknown and our understanding of this, like many other critical moments in history, is limited.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finally after a lifetime study of the Lakota, a writer who helpfully illustrates places and people within numerous first person narrative of events. "The Last Stand is popular history, and it's not fair to expect him to bring new evidence to light…The only fair questions are whether his account is well researched, his judgments reasonable and his writing engaging. The answers are yes, yes and yes. Moreover, the book is a model of organization, with lots of maps and photographs and extensive endnotes properly delineating Philbrick's sources much more clearly than is usual in this kind of work. " excerpt of Brian Hall review for Washington Post.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A well told tale with interesting digressions about the different characters and a comparison of Sitting Bull and Custer that is new; other than that Son of the Morning Star is the book about the battle.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The New Yorker said Philbrick gave Sitting Bull short shrift but, on the contrary, by having him always in the background as the judge of Custer and his incompetent superiors, he made Sitting Bull the judge of us all.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Stand is not only comprehensive well rounded study of The Battle of Little Big Horn, but author Nathaniel Philbrick also gives a near exhaustive study of the context surrounding the infamous battle. I was drawn to the novel due to my enjoyment of Philbrick's other works, but the subject matter itself was so engaging that I was surprised at how it held my interest. Deftly told in his characteristically gripping style, the details of the story never become tedious or overwhelming, but instead the story is engrossing throughout. Readers are treated to eye witness accounts and analysis, photos, appendices, and maps. The only complaint is that the sheer volume of information leaves little hope of any quality of retention. Many soldiers’ lives and battle roles are detailed, the ripple effects of the battles conclusions are thoroughly examined, and we get personal and details of the main player's lives and personalities, etc... However, in my opinion the author shrewdly balanced both sides of the battle without caving to opinion or sacrificing his narrative. Anyone interested in Custer, Sitting Bull or the Battle itself will not finish the book disappointed.