What would Custer say about the battle that made him a legend? We will never know of course, but Mari Sandoz, in her beautifully written and deeply felt story of his legendary and much disputed battle, provides a suitable coda to that drama of a century ago.

The encounter was scripted for tragedy. Custer failed to wait for a supporting column. He divided his command. He took on an enemy 20 times his size. He fought them in open terrain. Ironically the massacre inflicted by Sioux warriors hastened their own destruction. There's enough desolation for everyone.

"The author's style sings like one of those Seventh Cavalry bugles...she makes the scene come alive." (The Saturday Review)