Touched by Fire

The Life, Death, and Mythic Afterlife of George Armstrong Custer

Louise Barnett author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:University of Nebraska Press

Published:1st Oct '06

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Touched by Fire cover

A comprehensive and balanced biography of the controversial George Armstrong Custer.

For more than a century, Americans have been captivated by the legend of General George Armstrong Custer. But, the various truths of Custer's life and last stand prove elusive. Custer's life spans two great eras of American history. This work offers an account of life and legend of this controversial figure.For more than a century, Americans have been captivated by the legend of General George Armstrong Custer. But the various truths of Custer’s life and last stand prove elusive. Why are we so taken with the myth and the so-called mystery behind the man?

In a field teeming with highly partisan and wildly speculative treatments of Custer, Louise Barnett enters with a volume widely acclaimed by both military and cultural historians as the most balanced account of his life and legend. Custer's life spans two great eras of American history, and Barnett's commanding work pushes beyond the existing literature to a comprehensive view of this controversial figure.

"Provocative, boldly theoretical, marked by often keen analysis, and beautifully written... No one who writes on Custer in the future will be able to ignore [Barnett's] book."--Paul Andrew Hutton, Civil War Times "There is much unusual and useful information about life on the plains, Indian warfare, the danger and fear of captivity by Indians, and especially, the relationship between Custer and his wife."--New York Times Book Review "The fine account of his 'mythic afterlife' makes Ms. Barnett's book unique."--Byron Farwell, Washington Times "A sharp, original, and engaging study of Custer's life and myth which ... includes a first-rate account of the Little Bighorn."--Plain Dealer

ISBN: 9780803262669

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 771g

540 pages