The late James Welch is ranked among American Indian writers like N. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko and Gerald Visenor. His skill as a writer is evident in KILLING CUSTER: THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN AND THE FATE OF THE PLAINS INDIANS which was published in 1994.

Paul Stekler, a talented filmmaker from Massachusetts is listed as the co-author. He persuaded Welch to write a documentary about Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Stekler hoped to make a film about the battle from "the Indian point of view." Welch, a member of Montana's Blackfeet Tribe from Browning, was "the Indian."

In fact, Welch used to refer to himself that way. He eschewed phrases like "Native American" or "Amerindian" in favor of "Indian." I rather liked that about him.

Welch didn't know much about Custer, or the Battle of the Little Bighorn and he never seemed especially interested in them. He resolved that issue by writing another classical James Welch book. His works were being translated into French and most other European languages and he was even Knighted in France. Sir James was made a Chevalier de l' Ordre des Art et des Lettres of France in 2000.

I have always suspected that Sir James put one over on us unwashed commoners in KILLING CUSTER. The book is well written and, if you like Welch's literary style, you'll like this book. It does not, however, really describe either General Custer, his death, or the battle in which he fell.

So, if you actually want to know something about the General and the Battle, this is the wrong book. That doesn't make it a bad book, just a misleading one. I like KILLING CUSTER, but it impresses me more as another of Sir James' novels rather than a work of history.

If you have never read an account of the Sioux Wars and Custer's defeat at the Little Big Horn, you will probably enjoy this weak attempt at history. Very early in the book it will become obvious to the trained reader that the author is not well versed on this topic. To students and scholars of this event and time period, you will be very disappointed as there is nothing new in this volume, but much has been left out and slanted for the author's own agenda. For much more objective history I recommend The Custer Reader edited by Paul Hutton and Robert Utley, Centennial Campaign: The Sioux War of 1876, Custer's Luck by Edgar Stewart and for a solid biography on Custer, try Cavalier in Buckskin by Robert Utley.

Unfortunately, this book misses the mark and is of little value. Some of the information on the making of the documentary might be of remote interest to those interested in such things but the author is too enmeshed in the politics of the present and therefore fails to shed light on the past. For that reason, this book will probably have more value many years from now as people look back at the politics of the battlefield in the 1990s but even with that, it is limited as it lacks objectivity. My hardback edition has nice maps on the inside covers and a nice layout of photographs but that is hardly a reason to buy this book.

For those interested in Indian primary source accounts on the Little Big Horn as a means of better understanding them and the battle, see the following:
W.A. Graham, THE CUSTER MYTH, a classic, no Custer library is complete without it.
Greg Michno, LAKOTA NOON, c. 1997, an excellent effort at bringing about a coherent synthesis of testimony and matching it to a plausible timeline of events. Testimony summarzied and augmented by an excellent narrative that keeps everything on track. Maps galore that are highly useful.
Walter Camp, CUSTER IN 76, contains his notes on various interviews he conducted with Indian as well as soldier survivors.
Richard Hardorff and his numerous and excellent books that contribute to our knowledge, especially CHEYENNE MEMORIES OF THE CUSTER FIGHT; LAKOTA RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CUSTER FIGHT; INDIAN VIEWS OF THE CUSTER FIGHT. With the recent placement of markers appproximating the places where Lakota and Cheyenne warriors fell, his book entitled HOKAHEY! INDIAN CASUALTIES OF THE CUSTER FIGHT is essential to have when visiting the battlefield.

Unfortunately, this book misses the mark and is of little value. Some of the information on the making of the documentary might be of remote interest to those interested in such things but the author is too enmeshed in the politics of the present and therefore fails to shed light on the past. For that reason, this book will probably have more value many years from now as people look back at the politics of the battlefield in the 1990s but even with that, it is limited as it lacks objectivity. My hardback edition has nice maps on the inside covers and a nice layout of photographs but that is hardly a reason to buy this book.

For those interested in Indian primary source accounts on the Little Big Horn as a means of better understanding them and the battle, see the following:
W.A. Graham, THE CUSTER MYTH, a classic, no Custer library is complete without it.
Greg Michno, LAKOTA NOON, c. 1997, an excellent effort at bringing about a coherent synthesis of testimony and matching it to a plausible timeline of events. Testimony summarzied and augmented by an excellent narrative that keeps everything on track. Maps galore that are highly useful.
Walter Camp, CUSTER IN 76, contains his notes on various interviews he conducted with Indian as well as soldier survivors.
Richard Hardorff and his numerous and excellent books that contribute to our knowledge, especially CHEYENNE MEMORIES OF THE CUSTER FIGHT; LAKOTA RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CUSTER FIGHT; INDIAN VIEWS OF THE CUSTER FIGHT. With the recent placement of markers appproximating the places where Lakota and Cheyenne warriors fell, his book entitled HOKAHEY! INDIAN CASUALTIES OF THE CUSTER FIGHT is essential to have when visiting the battlefield.

The author perhaps should confine his efforts to Blackfeet history ---rather than stretching to include them in a theatre in which they had no part.

If anything was interesting in this book, it would have to be how Custer continues to shape the identities of those who have agendas to push and paradigms to sell. Certainly, the historical perspective was biased to the point that it became just more stereotypical static.

During WWII, they were called "Einsatzgruppen." Long a student of both WWII and 19th Century US history, the parallels in some respect stand-out clearly - and Custer buffs don't like it.

The authors present a compelling synposis of the "cleansing" of the native tribes from the northern plains. Especially interesting is the presentation of the subjugation of the Blackfeet nation in the years prior to the Army's (Sherman and Sheridan's War Dept.) on the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho.

Custer was an instrument - a product of his time, but a willing instrument nonetheless. The shameful actions of this period can only be healed with honest accounting - and thats what the authors accomplish with this work.

The narative is highly readable, engaging, and written with a clarity and perspective of the Native peoples. Yes, it contains commentary - sometimes scathing. On the other had, I defy anyone to find a historical work on NAZI Germany in which such editorializing is absent.

The value of this book lies in the ability to present the Indians as humans rather than the evil savages ingrained into most American s during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Mr. Welch succeeds in showing the indecision and doubt that plagued Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse during the latter years of the Plains War. The passages explaining the negative aftermath of the Little Bighorn for the Plains Indian because it is overlooked or ignored by history books.

I thought Mr. Welch's decison to weave the Little Bighorn into the story of making the film about the battle made the book more interesting. It allowed the inclusion of unrelated items, such as the gravesite of Bill Thomas, which provided additional background to some of the major points of the book.

It is an interesting and easy read that would be enjoyable to anyone slightly interested in Custer, Little Bighorn or the Plains Indians.

It's a good day to die; the book was issued in France under this title.Looking for other books on this american site,I was surprised and shocked to read some of the reviews.I think this book is important . Of course, I guess that many books have been written about this subject, and I don't know if this one gives us more informations than the others.But what is important to me is the fact that this book has been written by an indian,a man who has more than anyone else, the right to speak about what happened to his people. The 20's century great democracies, including France,can't be proud of their foundations.America with indian and black peoples,France in the West Indies ,and North Africa.One thing surprises me in the reviews of this book:a reviewer only writes about the Little Big Horn battle,although the book goes from 1869 to Sitting Bull's death in 1890.He is sad not to have been able to see the Reno site while visiting the country; personnaly,I would have prefered (and hope I'll have the opportunity) to spend a few hours on the place,near the river,where the Sioux and Cheyennes were living with their families.Another reviewer complains about "the political subtones of the author".And so what? Senator McCarthy fortunately died,no? And I think Mr Welch ,like any other human being, can and has to have a political conciousness.YOu can agree with him or not,but you can't reproach him with telling what he thinks .I was glad to read this book,and I recommend it to you.

Killing Custer starts out lame and limps along like a horse with three shoes! The Author has a good opportunity to present a Native American viewpoint on a great battle (Native American vs the White Anglo) but choose to wander and bounces from personal grudges to mythical happening to political agendas! As this book progress, the reader is left with the feeling that the material being presented is inadequate to make a complete book and that the author adds side-bars to flesh out the copy. Little new information is added to the existing knowledge and most of the material presented is tainted with the political subtones of the author. To bad... as this book could have been a good one for the library!

Until the author mentions that he is a native american I thought he was just ignorantly biased. He laments the tourism of the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore while complaing and totally ignores the Crazy Horse Memorial which will dwarf Rushmore when completed. He concludes that it was just fine for Means to block access to important segments of "Custer Battlefield National Monument" while ignoring the rights of other Americans to visit the battlefield. (My family came all the way from Texas and were unable to see the Reno site because of the illegal blockade which had nothing to do with the Sun Dance.) Who wants to hear the usual park service inaccurate litanies when the real 'mccoy' is outside the door. There should be a rating lower than 1 star for tripe such as this book. Of the more than 97 books I have on the Custer Battlefield and Indian wars, this one is the second worst. The author omits anything that would detract from his agenda and ignores countless resources that would prove his hypothesis wrong at many key points. He doesn't even believe the winter count records apparently. I was most disappointed in this book. The title should be " My views or A Midsummer Nights Dream". I wonder how much of his royalties the author has donated to the Northern Cheyenne or to the various Sioux councils.

A very fresh point of view on an almost mythical historical figure. The author shows that Custer had been blessed with more luck than ability, and his luck ran out. The author also did a great job of telling how the death of Custer was also the death of the Souix nation.

A well researched book about Custer, Sitting Bull and the famous battle written from a slightly different perspective. A joy to read!

James Welch's KILLING CUSTER is one of the most interesting historical works I've read in a long time. Told from the Indian point of view, the book discusses the major battles and skirmishes leading up to the climactic piece, the "Battle of Little Bighorn." Along the way, Custer treats us to a glimpse of the lifestyles and mindsets of several Northern Plains tribes. The book offers historical information as well as personal thoughts, as the author tours the land where many of these battles occurred. We tag along on his journey, and meet many fascinating people, from descendants of battle participants, to current leaders among Native peoples. Although at times Welch's emotions spill over into his words, leaving the reader concerned that she may be reading a slanted version of events, his account is for the most part level-headed. The book is a wonderful account of the Battle of Little Bighorn, and a testimony to a modern Indian's thoughts on this monument to a white loser (Custer) rather than to Indian victors. It will not please Custer buffs, nor will it even begin to satisfy battle-strategy fanatics. But for those readers who like to see other sides of a story, this book will entrance you and even make you weep; for while the large gathering of Northern Plains tribes did manage to succeed in defeating the most famous Indian fighter of the age, they nonetheless lost the war -- and many modern Indians feel they are still suffering the consequences. If you love Plains history, battle histories, Indians or underdogs, you will love this book. If you are a raving Custer buff, you will have great fun tossing this book into the wall -- but you will go pick it up and continue reading it, and tossing it again and again. You just can't put this book down