5 comments about Touched by Fire: The Life, Death, and Mythic Afterlife of George Armstrong Custer.

1. Even though the book is 400 pages, there is very little of it dealing with Custer's life. The author will mention substantiating evidence, but then never provide it. For example, she refers to archaeology work done at Little Bighorn but never says what it is. The book focuses way too much on Custer's wife...for a biography of him. There are 100 pages dealing with her widowhood. After reading the book, I don't know any more about Custer than I did before reading it. I had expected some sort of biography since the title reads "the life & death" & then meaning of the myth from that, but the book didn't deliver. I didn't get anything from the book to change my preconceptions of him from history class. The writer puts forth a victim defense...nothing was his fault, the army failed him, etc. Bottom line is 270+ men died at Little Bighorn.



2. Sometimes overlooked in this book are Louise Barnett's fascinating sidebars on women on the frontier. She could make another book out of her research in this area.



3. I adamantly disagree with the reviewer, below, from San Francisco. This is one of the best biographies of Custer's life with his wife, Libbie. Their relationship comes to life in Barnett's book.
   
   The reviewer mentions the "New Explorers" program on the History Channel and its reference to Reno and Benteen not coming to Custer's aid when they knew he was under attack was a sham to historical research. Frankly, I was embarrassed for the History Channel when I viewed this program. It has always been understood by historians of the Battle of the Little Bighorn that the men under Reno and Benteen's command heard firing to the north coming from the Custer Battalion. Reno had just got whipped soundly by the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in the river valley forcing him to retreat to the high bluffs overlooking the river (now known as the Reno/Benteen defense site); it was from this position that they heard firing to the north. Reno had lost over 30 men during the valley fight and retreat. His men were demoralized and there were many men wounded. Custer was five miles to the north beyond the hills; it might as well been a 100 miles. The "New Explorers" premise is that it's some great mystery whether the soldiers' heard gun firing or not. So, they conduct a makeshift "experiment" with a tape recorder on the Reno/Benteen defense site. Over the hills, to the north, they have a few guys waiting to fire some carbines. So, the guys with the tape recorder are talking through walkie-talkies to the men who are waiting to fire their carbines and they begin to countdown to zero. At zero, the men fire their carbines and it's recorded on the tape. Wow! The "researchers" got all excited and said this was proof that Reno heard the firing and, because, he didn't come to Custer's aid, Custer met his death. What a joke! This "experiment" was conducted on a quiet afternoon. The "researchers" didn't take into consideration that the Reno/Benteen site, during the battle, would not have been so quiet. Most importantly, their premise is nothing new. It's their conclusions that are subjective and childish.
   
   Barnett doesn't stoop to such stupidity like these "researchers." She portrays the life of Custer and Libbie as one of genuine caring. After Custer's death, Libbie resolves to spend the rest of her life protecting her husband's reputation. Libbie was ahead of her time; she was a strong, independent woman who faced all kinds of hardships with courage and strength.
   
   And, Custer? He was a man like some people today. He was ambitious and wanted to move forward with his career, yet he didn't let his ambitions affect his decisions on the battlefield.
   
   Once you start reading TOUCHED BY FIRE, you will find it hard to put down. It is a moving story.



4. I agree with Bob Reece on that score. At the time _Touched By Fire_ was published, we also saw publication of another Custer biography by Jeffery Wert. Barnett's bio was by far and away the better of the two. Custer comes to life for modern readers in a way few authors have made him come alive. My personal favorite Custer "bio" is still Evan Connell's _Son of the Morning Star_, but Barnett's work is also one that I refer to regularly.

   Bob Reece spends a lot of his review addressing the issues raised by "a reader from San Francisco" covering the "experiment" that was illustrated in the A&E (and possibly the History Channel as well) documentary in "The New Explorers" series. The New Explorers documentary was seriously marred, I think, in swallowing hook, line, and sinker author Robert Nightengale's almost paranoiac ravings against Benteen and Reno. Any reader interested can refer to Nightengale's _Little Big Horn_ for details there. What I want to note about the "experiment" mentioned is an interesting fact, namely that it appears that those in the Reno-Benteen contingent who claimed to hear firing in the distance were also those who were younger officers who were not Civil War veterans. It is very probable that Reno and Benteen simply did not hear any firing in the distance owing to partial hearing loss induced by their Civil War service.

   But that's irrelevant to Barnett's biography. Don't ignore Connell's _Son of the Morning Star_ in your Custer researches, but for an excellent introduction to the life of one of the most colorful Army officers in U.S. History, you can't beat _Touched by Fire_.




5. I just re-read this biography, after several years, and I was reminded again what a great book it is. Barnett's Custer is not Custer-the-awful or Custer-the-hero -- but Custer-the-human. She is solid on her sources, and tells a story about Custer that develops his relationship with his wife in ways that I find fascinating. You get a sense from this about a person who was three-dimensional. Her description of the battles are solid, though if you want more detail, you will need to find that in other books. If you want to learn about the person behind the fighting, though, this is the book for you.

5 comments about Naples '44: An Intelligence Officer in the Italian Labyrinth.

1. When I was younger I knew an Italian-American veteran who spent time in Naples at roughly the time covered by this book. His stories while entertaining always seemed a bit exagerated to me. Now, after reading Norman Lewis' account of those days I owe my long departed friend an apology for having doubted him.
   This is a remarkable account from a gifted observer. Lewis as a British intelligence officer assigned to the Area occupied by American forces immediately following the expulsion of the Germans was in a unique position to observe many aspects of the struggles and adaptations of the locals under these extraordianry conditions. The ingenuity and superstition of the Italian people is displayed from a point of view that is neutral in it's judgements while sparing the reader nothing of the darker side of the stuggle to survive at the same time.
   As somone who has read extensively about WWII I was surprised this one got by me for so long. I stumbled on it while browsing Amazon and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the War ,Italy or just a good entertaining read.



2. Naples 44 is a beautifully crafted account of allied occupation in Naples. Norman Lewis describes, with his usual gentle irony, the unique lifestyle of Neapolitans and how they survive abject poverty.
   He has an eye for the absurd whilst retaining his compassionate love of humanity.



3. Can a foreign military "successfully" occupy another country? Where can we look for historical lessons to our clusterf**k in Iraq. What are our boys reading in West Point? Is there large scale prostitution and venereal disease..Are there markets openly selling stolen U.S. military items.. Where are ordinary Iraqi's getting $ to survive with their economy is shambles? Lots of questions.



4. I group this book with Eric Newby's "Love and War in the Appenines" for unsentimental and direct views of the corrupting power of war that use Italy as examples. Liberation seems such a romantic idea that one can hardly resist it, and yet here we can easily read and understand that true liberation takes a lot more than military objectives and shouting in congress.
   
   Lewis's eye was remarkable in one so young. I hope that both these books have found their way to the library at West Point. It is perhaps too much to ask that they should be read anywhere inside the beltway.



5. This wonderful book is as powerful as it is wonderful and it is as applicable to today and to all wars as it is wonderful and powerful. This book has deep insights as to how war is really fought, how huge bureaucracies are ugly blunt instruments of war, how occupied people cope, survive and live, and how naive well intentioned souls are awakened in the ugly reality of it all. This is a book for life.

3 comments about On Wits and Wind.

1. Unbelievable! When reading this book, the stories and anticipation as to what is going to happen next will leave you questioning whether your reading fiction or non-fiction... yet the story is true! I loved the book since it depicted a crew of 6 relatively inexperienced sailors who embarked on a circumnavigation knowing they did not have sufficient money to complete the voyage. These men were truly risk takers when it came to finances, storms, cannibals, etc... If you like adventure, you'll love this book! Five stars!



2. We now live in a very different world than that which existed following the end of World War II. After six years of unimaginable tumult, chaos and destruction, there was a short period of time when much that survived the war but which has now passed forever away was still available to be explored and experienced.
   
   William Ward Vickers and a small group of companions - having served in the military but having never seen combat and knowing that the world and they would soon change forever - were determined to see as much of the world and learn as much as they could about themselves before the forces of change reshaped the world and themselves.
   
   In his book, "Of Wit and Wind", Mr. Vickers tells the story of an unforgettable voyage put in motion by desire and audacity and sustained by an unquenchable spirit of adventure and resourcefulness. He tells it in the first person - and in his telling of his story - it is easy to forget that you are reading words on a page and to feel instead that he is there with you as his tale unfolds - a master storyteller spinning a yarn that enthralls and ultimately exhilarates as you realize that every word of the yarn is true.
   
   The book is handsomely illustrated with photographs that document the various - and at times unbelievable - stages of the voyage and is a wonderful history of places and peoples that are now long gone.
   
   Do yourself a favor and sign on for a weekend with the crew of The Cal - you will be very glad that you did.



3. A true adventure story of a round-the-world voyage by four men and a dog on a three-masted schooner. With many ports of call and stays ashore of varying lengths to earn money to continue their journey, provision and repair the schooner's wind-battered sails, have fun, see the sights and explore remote and dangerous areas, William Ward Vicker's account of this epic voyage is a fascination. Lavishly illustrated with 161 photographs, the majority memorably captured by crew member Art Teets, "On Wits and Wind" is a unique five-star treasure.

No comments about An Uncompromising Secessionist: The Civil War of George Knox Miller, Eighth (Wade's) Confederate Cavalry.

1 comments about Bravo Fortissimo Glenn Gould: The Mind of a Canadian Virtuoso.

1. Many performers have the talent to master their instrument and to play it well - but very few carry with them the magical power of charisma alongside that talent. "Bravo Fortissimo Glenn Gould: The Mind of a Canadian Virtuoso" is a look at, agreed to by many pianist critics, the most influential Canadian piano player in history and the power he held over crowds during his performances and the quirky and eccentric behavior that followed him off the stage. A thoroughly well researched biography and psychological examination of a mad genius to the classical music world, "Bravo Fortissimo Glenn Gould: The Mind of a Canadian Virtuoso" is a must for any collection looking at music and the people who perform it.

1 comments about In Perfect Formation: Ss Ideology & the Ss-Junkerschule-Tolz (Schiffer Military History).

1. This book discusses the philosophical basis of National Socialism, as a rejection of principles common in Western thought since the Renaissance. It focusses on the intended nature of relations of Germans among themselves, rather than the usual emphasis on relations between the German people and enemies of the state. The role of the Junkerschule Tolz in furthering this philosophy is discussed, along with a brief discussion of military training at Junkerschule Tolz. There is a nice collection of photographs of the Junkerschule Tolz.

2 comments about A Question of Honour: The Life Of Lieutenant General Valentine Baker Pasha.

1. the authour appears to be a distant relative of the subject of this book. I gave the book four stars, not because of any real "depth" to the biography, but solely because of the relative dearth of biographies of this ill-served man, Valentine Baker. for a general outline of valentine baker's life, this is a good read. however, one hopes that someone will do some serious research into the man's life and write the definitive biography of a sad, unsung hero of the late 1800s.



2. This fascinating little book tells the life of Valentine Baker, once British General but exiled into the service of the Turkish and Egyptian governments. The story of Baker's family (his brother Samual was a famous African explorer) and his own personal travails is told against a backdrop of life in the British Army from the Crimea to Khartoum. Readers of other works on the individual battles will the find the whole story told here with a unique sense of continuity. The various adventures of British forces in the Crimea, Turkey and Egypt were not unrelated events but part of a foreign policy as complex and tortured as our own today.
   Baker's own personal story is also fascinating, and his interaction with other famous figures of the time (the Prince of Wales, General Wolseley, Gordon, Gladstone, etc.) shows them in a very revealing light. Their relationship with Baker reveals their personal side, something lacking in most history books.
   The only unfortunate thing about the book is that the author does not identify her relationship with the Baker family. One assumes she is somehow related to the subject of the book, based on it's dedication to her husband "Valentine Edward Baker". It would help to put the tale in perspective if we knew a bit more about her point of view.

1 comments about Edward A. Wild And the African Brigade in the Civil War.

1. General Edward A. Wild was one of the more controversial officers of the Civil War. A staunch abolitionist, after losing an arm at South Mountain (prelude to Antietam), Wild aided Massachusetts governor John Andrews in raising all-black fighting units. A number of black regiments were created and together were known as the African Brigade. Sent to South Carolina, Wild and his men arrived only weeks after the action at Battery Wagner that saw the heroism of 54th Massachusetts Volunteers (Colored) and the death of its leader, Robert Shaw.
   
   Wild was an unyielding defender of his black troops and their ability to be the equal of any soldiers in the army. His outspokenness and, at times, disobedience of orders, on their behalf got Wild in trouble. He hated Southern sympathizers and especially guerrilla fighters; his treatment of them was at time horrendous. In 1864 he led a raid through northeastern North Carolina against these "land pirates" (Wild's words). Sometimes prisoners taken (these might include civilians, even women, and not just soldiers) would be tortured, even hanged. Authorities North and South became outraged at Wild's actions. Eventually he was court martialed and demoted (for disobeying orders and not for his treatment of others). Suspended from the battlefield for 6 months, he returned in time to lead the XXV Corps before Richmond in April 1865. After the war Wild stirred up more controversy with his confiscation of private property in Georgia as a member of the Freedman's Bureau. The last years of his life were spent silver and gold mining, first in Nevada, then in Canada, and finally in Colombia, South America, where he died in 1891.
   
   His wife probably summoned up Wild best: "He was very heroic, he would not give up, he had a very strong will and proved it all his life." Sometimes that "strong will" got him in a lot of trouble and prevented him from seeing how his actions might be misconstrued or outright wrong. But it also made him a hero to his black troops, who saw a man willing to fight for his convictions and their rights.
   
   Casstevens presents a thoroughly researched and detailed account of her subject's life (though 90% of the book deals only with his Civil War years). The information is presented in bullet fashion: short subsections within each chapter dealing with specific events or incidents. Style is not a concern with Casstevens, only presenting the facts in a clear, straightforward manner. In that she succeeds well. The notes, bibliography, and index are excellent; the book is definitely designed for the researcher in mind.

5 comments about Nothing Friendly In The Vicinity.

1. This is an interesting book for one reason in particular. It is the only first person account of submarine warfare I know that was written by an enlisted sailor in the navy. It's well written a good story and shouldn't take long to finish.
   
   This book centers more on the personal triumphs of the people on board the submarine and less on the strategy of submarines in the war. All in all, a great account of their war patrols.
   
   As a radio nut I think it's particularly interesting that the author was a radio man in the service. I can't think of a book written by anyone in the service who played a role in radio service. As a result of mission he was in a key position to observe everything that was going with the ship and its place in history.
   
   If you liked this book you might like to find War in the Boats, Wahoo, Clear the Bridge, and Silent Running by Calvert.



2. I try to read most of the submarine books that come along and in the case of this title, I'm glad I did. The author, Claude C. Conner, wrote it for his children,I bet he's surprised to find he has so many of them! Being aimed at those uninitiated to submarine lore, the book is quite easy to read and very easy to comprehend; certainly the glossary demistifies much of the goings-on of the diesel boats of bygone years.
   
   The book is also jam-packed with thrilling stories of The Guardfish's patrols both when the author served on her and when he didn't! The book is easily read in one or two sittings as a result of the author's knack for telling true submarine adventure tales.
   
   The title alludes to an unfortunate "friendly" fire occurence, the only one during World War II in which a US fleetboat sank another US Navy surface craft. Most of the last 4 or so chapters recount some of the slickest brass hat equivocating, obfuscating and ring-knockery to be beheld in naval literature, some things in life never change!
   
   All in all, this is a terrific book, not only for it's portrayal of naval history and heroism but also for it's depiction of human nature. Pick up a copy, and when you're finished, pass it along. Or make your friends buy a copy at Amazon dot com!



3. Highly recommend to any one interested in WWII sub warfare. Great stories that read well, easy book to follow, and very entertaining.



4. Mr.Connor's book is boring! He recalls his experiences on the "GARDFISH" which was no "experience" at all. That's 1/3 of the book. He then shares his memories on a repair ship. Another 1/3. Then devotes the final 1/3 to the mistaken sinking of a friendly ship..the rescue of the surviors and the boring trial which followed. Don't buy this book in expectation of reading exciting missions of an US submarine..there isn't any!
   I cannot encourage anyone to buy this book.



5. This was a gift to my submariner relative and to quote him "this was at least a 9 out of 10 good read. And for anyone interested in WWII subs and wasn't there, it is a definite 10."
   
   It's the story of the Guardfish, but much more. The day to day operation of the boat is explained, such as "blowing the head," (flushing the toliet) and "Qualification" (passing all the tests that earn you the right to remain on a submarine after a 6-month preliminary trial).
   
   Tragedy is blended with the comedic aspects of living on a sub and told in first-person that lends an immediacy to the action. The only complaint made by my relative "somebody should have told him (Conner, author) about the operations mistakes he made. But they were few.

No comments about Zigzag: The Incredible Wartime Exploits of Doulbe Agent Eddie Chapman.