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Title: In Custer's Shadow: Major Marcus Reno by Ronald H. Nichols, Brian C. Pohanka ISBN: 0-8061-3281-7 Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd) Pub. Date: November, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.67 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A Much Needed Biography
Comment: I have read reviews of this book and have found it to be
split on opinions of Reno. I feel it should be the definitive
work on Reno. For better or worse this book is the best on Reno,
considering the limited amount of literature available on Reno.
I admire Ronald Nichols for devoting twenty years for researching
this book.
Being an avid amateur Custer historian this book will add
another view of Little Bighorn and the author's insight into the
battle. I especially like the attention given to letters written
in defense of Custer and blaming Reno by former Confederate General Thomas L. Rosser. Rosser, a classmate and friend of
Custer's at West Point was a true friend of Custer even after the
Civil War.
One cannot help to feel for Reno and his quest for reinstatement to the Army. When he was finally reinstated many
years later it had to be a relief for his descendants. Reno was
truly one of the more unfortuanate characters in American Military History along with Confederate General John Bell Hood.
A very good book indeed and my congratulations to Mr. Nichols
for writing it.
Rating: 2
Summary: hokabahhumbug
Comment: sorry for the title there, but I generally have to agree with the chula vista reader and Hurley; this is just basically a story baselined from the rehash of Reno testimony, and as such, at least in terms of the actions of Reno et al., really sheds no new light, and tends to continue the Custer vs. Reno/Benteen polarization... which is fine, if that is really the tack that the author wishes to adhere to.
What I did find interesting, especially in terms of some of the Reno/Benteen apologists, is the very subtle absolution given Reno: his rout/retreat was not carried out properly due to the failure of the troop commanders. Isn't that the other side of the coin that so many argue over regarding Reno and Benteen's support (sic) of Custer; it's okay to excuse Reno for his subordinates alleged lack of performance, but not Custer?
I mean no disrespect to the relatives of Reno, but the wealth of data available in the historical record probably is even too lenient in "judging" the actions of Reno and Benteen on that day. This is NOT to say that any different outcome would have necessarily occurred; the United Tribes were truly better-positioned, better-armed, and effective that afternoon. The appearance of collusion by Reno and Benteen to not effect even a demonstration of lawfully-ordered military support to Custer cannot be dismissed, rationalized, nor wished away. It certainly was obvious to Captain Weir what Reno and Benteen were up to.
Rating: 2
Summary: Nope. No good.
Comment: A critical, penetrating biography of Marcus Reno would be a welcome addition to Little Bighorn (LBH) devotees. You will not find it here. The chapters concerning Reno's actions during the Little Bighorn battle (two chapters out of a total of 17) most certainly break NO new ground. Mr. Nichols sources for Reno's actions come virtually entirely from the testimony given at the Reno court of inquiry. As LBH fans know, the reliability of much of the testimony from the Reno court of inquiry is open to question. Many feel much was withheld, actions shaded, and even perjury committed. To base the single most important event in Reno's life essentially on this one source is not good biography writing. There is such a wealth of research devoted to this battle, it perplexes me why Mr. Nichols did not make any use of it. I disagree with a previous reviewer of this book, as nothing is "proved" here. Simply regurgitating old testimony from that court of inquiry is not proof. Ronald Nichols is, as you may know, the editor of the complete version of the preceedings of the Reno Court of Inquiry.
The only reason this book is of interest is the account of Reno's years prior to LBH, especially his troublesome years at West Point. Reno's life after LBH was decidedly dull. This "besotted mediocrity", as Robert Utley called him, spent many fruitless years trying to get re-instated into the Army after his dismissal, while working as a clerk in the Pensions Bureau. Not very interesting reading.
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Title: We Trailed the Sioux: Enlisted Men Speak on Custer, Crook, and the Great Sioux War by Paul L. Hedren ISBN: 0811700623 Publisher: Stackpole Books Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn: An Encyclopedia of the People, Places, Events, Indian Culture and Customs, Information Sources, Art and Films by Thom Hatch ISBN: 0786409649 Publisher: McFarland & Company Pub. Date: November, 2000 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Encyclopedia of Indian Wars: Western Battles and Skirmishes 1850-1890 by Gregory F. Michno ISBN: 0878424687 Publisher: Mountain Press Publishing Company Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
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Title: The Mystery of E Troop: Custer's Gray Horse Company at the Little Bighorn by Gregory Michno ISBN: 0878423044 Publisher: Mountain Press Publishing Company Pub. Date: June, 1994 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: Morning Star Dawn: The Powder River Expedition and the Northern Cheyennes, 1876 by Jerome A. Greene ISBN: 0806135484 Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd) Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
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