As the late Irish writer, scholar and philosopher, Iris Murdoch, observed, early Greek history 'is a game with very few pieces, where the skill of the player lies in complicating the rules'. It is the nature of this 'game' which underlies William Armstrong Percy's detailed examination of the origin and spread of pederasty in ancient Greece. Sparse and fragmentary evidence together with the consequent difficulties of interpretation pose particular problems for the objective historian: speculative play is inevitable, and to some extent, the juggling of sources as a means of furthering the author's historical predilections.

It is nonetheless an impressive study in which the technicalities do not obscure - for the less informed reader - the enjoyment of a closely argued and richly diversified discussion. Percy's espousal of the theory of a seventh century Cretan origin of institutionalized pederasty subsequently spread by the Spartans to Greece, is persuasive rather than compelling. As is clearly acknowledged in the Introduction, the Archaic period provides virtually no evidence: reliance is placed on later writers such as Plutarch, Lucian and Athenaeus. Historical texts survive in many versions about which scholars disagree more often than not: 'almost every detail of early Greek history, especially of Greek sexuality is open to doubt and indeed is hotly debated'. Repeated references to Aristotle's observation about the curbing of overpopulation by encouraging male sexual relations does little to advance the argument.

Percy is an enthusiast for his subject, though in no sense an apologist. The book is outstanding by virtue - as the author points out - of the paucity of works which treat fairly and without distaste of the topic of Greek pederasty, a term which he defines unequivocally from the outset as a love-bond (whether spiritual or sexual) between men and adolescent boys. The Greeks, it seems, showed little sexual interest in adult males, and indeed 'would be quick to condemn our prevalent androphilia as extremely distasteful and even reprehensible in that it serves no pedagogical purpose'.

This then is the crucial element in Percy's thesis: the link between pederastic custom and the rise of Hellas and the 'Greek Miracle', in spite of the acknowledged absence of surviving documents giving more precise testimony to that link. At the outset, he stresses that 'the Greeks we most admire almost always practised pederasty, at least before marriage.' The list is impressive, embracing poets, statesmen and philosophers. The Epilogue which looks forward to the 'Golden Age of Greek love' seeks to underline the argument that the intimate bonding of youths and older males transcended mere eroticism, quoting the Platonic dialogues, Aristotle and others who debated the spiritual versus the physical aspects of the 'erastes' and 'eromenos' relationship. In the wide, though detailed overview offered by this book, the argument is palpable.

The place of women in Greek society is perhaps understandably neglected in this study, except to argue a causal link between 'seclusion of women' and the proliferation of male love. The description of Spartan marriage customs and the attempt by Sparta 'to correlate marriage patterns and birthrates with population pressures' introduces a wider perspective, as does the reference to the 'love poetry' of Alcman and his 'sensual glorification of beautiful Spartan girls'. To the Greek mind, pederastic desire and heterosexual love were clearly not incompatible, on which point the author chooses to reserve comment. A brief reference to Sappho's poetry as 'a clear parallel in the world of females to cardinal features of Greek pederastic practice' has the odour of a starkly irrelevant concession to contemporary sexual politics. Similarly, the chapter entitled 'Situational Homosexuality and Demography' in its descriptions of 'womenless colonists', comradeship on voyages, and the 'parastates' (battle companion) smacks of modern sexology in its attempt to establish 'elements in the background to institutionalized pederasty'. Nevertheless, the case for the 'uniqueness' of Greek pederasty is well made.

The author intends the book for a wide audience and not just specialists or homosexual sympathizers in the hope 'that a true understanding of Greek institutionalized pederasty will at long last permit the educated world to confront the accomplishments of that practice honestly, without embarrassment or outrage'.

I'm both surprised at and in admiration of just how much Percy's study relies on ancient texts, and considering the trickiness of doing just that, he's pulled off a wonderful work. The arguments for a Cretan institutionalization of pederasty/pedagogy are compelling, but equally of interest are the associated discussions of different cities, regions, and customs throughout archaic and classical Greece.

if this book is anywhere near true, men have been missing out on a lot of action for almost two thousand years

mind boggling if true

jimmy

Finally a book devoted to the Croatan! The tales of the brave who sacraficed themselves to the Eater-of-Souls. This book gives detailed, informative descriptions about the tribe, history, and present (if there is one). Basically required for anyone that is truly interested in the STORY of Werewolf, not just the hack-and-slash that so many make it.

Very well written. Adds an great new avenues to both Werewolf history, and the White-Wolf universe in general.

Find out; was their sacrifice worth it?

This book is a very useful source for storytellers. It provides a different look at the triad as well as a lot of good information about how to play members of DNA. I would recommend this only for storytellers and not players. I beleive almost all of the information is not covered in other books which is why I gave it 5 stars.

Croatan song is an expansion to werewolf the apocalypse. This book contains detailed informatin on how to create and play a Croatan AND Kinfolk characters. It also contains a format for how to create new monsters. This book is a great source of information of the fictional croatan's history, as well as the non-fictional people of north america (navajo, hopi, apache, cherokee, gwich'in, and many, many more) Even if you just want new abilities, rites, gifts, fetishes (magical items), totems -including the lost totem of turtle... this book is for you! This book contained much more information than I had expected, a pleasant surprise.

I felt the author was a little too uncritical of the Amish. Although she herself is not a member of the Amish faith, she seemed to have no questions about whether any of their customs might not be the best (ending their children's education at the eight grade for example, to insure the children will not question the Amish way of life). Instead, everything is perfect. And in fact, if mothers would just act like childbirth is no big deal, like the Amish do (doing housework while in labor--what virtue!!!) they would be much better off. While I enjoyed this book, and found it interesting and well written, I would have ejoyed a more balanced portrayal of the Amish lifestyle.

Imagine studying midwifery in Scotland, then going among the Amish of Pennsylvania to practice your trade. That's what Armstrong did and her stories about her adventures are riveting. She writes with charm and sensitivity of the joys and pains of birthing, living, dying among the quiet and unassuming ways of a community of simple, God-fearing folk who come to return and appreciate her love and care.

As she strives to be accepted by local doctors and the local hospital she struggles with her own doubts about institutional births as opposed to home ones.

A moving, lovely and loving book that respects and cherishes a people and a way of life, A MIDWIFE'S STORY will make you laugh and cry. Best of all, you can find a new understanding and respect for America's Pennsylvania Dutch Amish if you look for it. I do hope you don't miss this one.

reads like fiction, but it's all true! (sometimes those books are the best kind.) very well written -- compared the harsh, cold, uncaring environment of hospital care & delivery & contrasted it with the warm, caring, personalized care & delivery that you can expect from a midwife like penny. also gave a charming portrait of the amish & insights into their way of life. someone sent me this book as a gift &, although it took me a long time to get around to reading it, once i picked it up, i had a hard time putting it down!

(it's hard to believe that anyone would want to level harsh criticism toward a community of people as stable & caring as the amish -- as another reviewer has suggested! i've visited the amish (very SHORT visits, i'll admit) & saw nothing that would even suggest the harsh & brutal treatment of women that one has come to expect of a community, say, like the taliban, for instance. but the review in question was written before 9/11, so maybe the reviewer was unaware of how good we women here in america have it, INCLUDING the amish? even so, can the reviewer point out another group amongst the godless, familyless, communityless, materialistic, selfish & self-centered, believe-in-nothing-&-stand-for-nothing-but-one's-own-selfish-&-self-centered-self "english" that fares better overall than the amish? it's not like they aren't free to leave any time they want & live another way (unlike the way conditions were under the taliban!) like yeah, who in their right mind would want to live in a beautiful rural community, be constantly surrounded by people who love you & who are really there to help you, including a HUSBAND (fancy that!) & still have the natural strength to create beautiful surroundings (& delicious food -- yummy!) while at the same time creating a new life to share this beautiful world with? duh. as for me, i could easily skip a few more boring years of grade school for this. & college? that's where you get your values, beliefs, strength & character ripped away by dishonest, liberal, left-wing professors & that entire rotten-to-the-core establishment. but i digress.)

the amish rock & so does this book.

if you think you want to have your baby in a hospital, read this book. (did you know that maternity wards were originally established to give homeless women a place to give birth? it was meant to be a poor substitute for what homeless women didn't have -- namely, a loving HOME to give birth in!)

if you think you want to have your baby at home, read this book. (it'll just make you feel better about what you already know & arm you with some more ammo to lob toward the people who think that you're crazy!)

if you think you want to be a midwife, read this book. (you'll be glad you did!) :)

& that's all i have to say about that.

Although "The Custer Companion: A Comprehensive Guide to the Life of George Armstrong Custer and the Plains Indian Wars" is an invaluable collection of source materials on the life lived by the flamboyant and enigmatic General George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876), the book once again reminds us that the life of one man came down to ONE battle waged on a Montana hillside on June 25, 1876. If you were hoping to find a narrative of Custer's life, I would recommend Jeffry K. Wert's "Custer" as a first source and using Hatch's book as a source to garner further information.

Although the Battle of the Little Big Horn and Custer's remarkable failure there has seared the youngest general in United States' history image indelibly on the American imagination, the "myth", to the average 19th Century American was created long before that tragedy. It is the life lived during the American Civil War that provides fodder for the tragedy we recognize as a life cut short, a promise unfullfilled, and it is Custer's early life which is lacking in Hatch's narrative. I found an almost Custer-like impatience by the author in "The Custer Companion. . ." to get to the "big" story and it is this impatience that may contribute to some historical inaccuracies and a noted thinness in Custer's life story before the Plains Indian Wars.

The information on the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the numerous personalities that were factors in Custer's life story is, without a doubt, wonderful. But if you seek to "know" the man on his swift climb to prominence, "The Custer Companion. . ." would not be my first choice.

Use "The Custer Companion. . ." as a warehouse of bibiliographic material, but do not use it as a foundation for an introduction to one of the most fascinating figures in American history.

The Custer Companion: A Comprehensive Guide To The Life Of George Armstrong Custer And The Plains Indian Wars by historian and Custer expert Thom Hatch combines an informative biography of George Armstrong Custer with a vividly presented history of the Plains Indian Wars. The Custer Companion covers The Surrender Flag Controversy; Custer's Mad Dash across Kansas; Wild Bill's Showdown with Tom Custer; Red Cloud's War; The Sand Creek Massacre; The Russian Grand Duke's Buffalo Hunt; The Arrest and Revenge of Rain-in-the-Face; The Midnight Ride of Charley Reynolds; and a wealth of other aspects of "Custeriana". Solid, straightforward text enhanced with numerous sidebars going into little-known details, as well as a profusion of black-and-white photographs coupled with the results of an exhaustive research, makes The Custer Companion an indispensable resource for anyone studying one of America's most colorful (and controversial) military figures of the 19th century -- a man whose turbulent character and impact on American frontier history evokes renewed interest in every new generation of Americans.

This is a well detailed overview of the life of General Custer from his roots to the aftermath of the LBH. The book is interlaced with a 100 or more biographies of all the key people associated with from family, soldiers, scouts, and politicians to Native Americans. The bios are outstanding and they fill in some holes even for the seasoned Custerphile. One example is the bio on Dr. Coates, the surgeon who served with Custer in Kansas and. Coates was a key witness on Custer's behalf in reference to the charge that he denied medical treatment for deserters. The bio covers Coates' short army career before and after the incident including his post army life. Another is Colonel Sturgis, the actual Colonel and actual commander of the 7th, who typically was on assignment or administrative duties deferring field command to Custer. In addition, when referencing a particular individual or place or battle, Hatch provides a detailed bibliography on the person or topic. When I read of the controversy regarding Custer's 1867 court-martial, the listed references led me to Lawrence Frost's detailed book on the subject. In addition to the bios sprinkled throughout the book are quotes by the General himself, which are highlighted outside the regular text, which adds depth to what Custer was feeling at that point in his history. It's also quite clear that he and Libby had one of the closest relationships in history. Although there may be more detailed works on the various prime subjects of Custer's life, this book captures it very well and closes ranks on information with people that intersected Custer's life from Reno, Benteen, Tom Custer, Belknap, Crazy Horse, Two Moons, Keough, Calhoun, Weir, Godfrey, Sitting Bull, Gall, Crazy Horse, Curley and on. The biographies sometimes seem a little redundant since they often overlap the text but they are well worth it. My only criticism was that there was not more on Lt. Wallace who was the timekeeper during the LBH command. Wallace appears to have aided and abetted Benteen and Reno at Reno's Court Martial. The fun part is at the conclusion of the LBH the author adds a little argument by critiquing other authors' views in what happened to Custer's brigade and he comes up with his own plausible theory. In Hatch's book, Reno and Benteen are held accountable for their wrong actions or inactions. A very good perspective and well worth reading as it even includes a review of the final Plains Indian campaigns.

When my friend Kathy handed me this book as something to amuse myself while she was on the phone long-distance I was immediatly sucked in and had to take it home with me to finish. The combination of historical fact with creative writing gave me the feeling that I was right there with American Woman through her many adventures and I was loathe to say goodbye at the end of the novel. In my opinion the fantasy does work and I didn't balk at the transition into the spirit world. I particularly enjoyed Coyote and his shifty nature. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Native Americans or someone just looking for a good read. American Woman always moved along at a good clip and didn't get bogged down, a rarity in historical fiction.

I thought that this novel was well written. I am not usually taken in by spiritual or magical worlds that often appear in novels, sometimes out of nowhere. However, I feel that Robertson did an extremely good job in painting a vivid portrait of how this magic "medicine" and spirituality surrounded and weaved through the culture of the Native Americans. Robertson's eye for detail and precision is very apparent; I felt that he explained details of battles and battle discussions in a concise manner. I felt that since Native Americans were very respectful of animals and their importance in the chain of life, it was extremely important for Robertson to incorporate that into his novel along with the principles of Quakerism, as told by Sarah Kilory.

American Woman is a double edged historical novel of dual cultures' experiences filtered through a gritty perspective of irony and wit. Set at the time of the battle of the Little Big Horn, told by a blonde, Quaker second wife to a Shyenna warrior named Yellow Leg, American Woman weaves the fabric of myth and history simultaneously. Humour, acerbic wit, and slanting perspectives lead to unforeseen levels of involvement. Humanity is both reduced and elevated. Sarah, the witch who does not know she is a "bruja" has vivid and relentless visions. Lakota and Shyenna customs presented are well researched by the author. One of my favorite chapters deals with the naming ceremony for Nothing, Sara's sister-wife Raven's daughter. Raven invites Sara to the ceremony, which is for women only.

"We stood our daughter up, so everyone would know what a fine child she was. Firelight danced in her dark eyes. It was a grave moment. She was about to lose her baby name forever and get the one she would carry into womanhood. Shyenna women did not collect and discard names like a Lakota brave. Many carried their adult name throughout their lives.

Raven recited Nothing's story....And what a story it was. Once I would have dismissed it as extravagant superstition - but if any of these women disbelieved it, they were polite enough to sit on their doubts. I stared at the little girl, thinking about that first day in the Center of the World when I had been enraged at her bare existence. Now I wanted to hug her. But it would have been disrespectful - too Wasichu. This was her moment, not mine...Raven announced, 'She shall be named for the mother who cared for her when she was sick, who cradled her when I could not, and who called for the Southern Herd to save her. From now on my daughter will be American Woman.'

I was as stunned as anyone. You could have heard a feather fall in the lodge.

Raven continued in her flat, cool way, 'Her mother does not need that name. She has the one given to her in the Spirit World. She is E-hyoph'sta, Light Haired Woman.' It was the first time any Lakota Eater had called me that. That triumph alone would have choked me - but it was trivial compared to seeing a little black-eyed girl standing straight in her white deerskin, beaming because she bore my cast-off name.

I pulled my blanket up over my face and cried. Through the tears and blanket I could hear women approving. It was wonderful, strange, and awesome. When I recovered, we ate until the lodge was littered with gnawed bones (pp. 312-313)."

Vivid and heartrending, American Woman tells a tale of blood by mixing bloods and perspectives. A new truth emerges, washed with the broken refractions of human tears.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

This was fun to read for the most part. There really is nothing new and I do take issue with the claim that this is" the first major illustrated work" on Custer. Lawrence Frost's book, The Custe Album, holds that distinction

A large book well armed with pictures of not only Custer, his family, but also of key major military personnel, Forts, leading confederates and best of all, great Indian leaders. Besides the large presence of photographs, the book provides a nice compressed history of Custer from Birth to his postmortem. It's an accelerated read with direct references to historical events without gratuitous detail. In reference to his CW career, Donovan is a little light on Custer in the valley in 1864 as Custer has some conflicts with colleagues over such things as who earned the captured flags versus who actually took them. In addition, Custer's role at Five Forks is a bit large in contrast to the infantry's 5th Corps who crushed the isolated Confederate left. Overall, it's a pretty good overview of Custer's Civil War and pre- LBH western career. I do note that pictures sometimes fill in voids such as the destruction of Lt. Kidder's command and Custer's meeting with Satanta, which are missing from the narrative. The best part of the book deals with the LBH and the author pulls no punches in explaining what he thinks happened. His theory reflects Michno's "Lakota Noon" primarily in that he theorizes that Custer held his battalion on the east side of the river waiting for Reno and Benteen to rally to him to squeeze the Indians his battalion and theirs. But of course that does not happen and the command is destroyed. The author captures all the personal conflicts in command such as Reno's fitness and Benteen's pouting causing his leisurely stroll. The after the LBH evaluation is also quite good recognizing that several elements caused Custer's defeat, not just Custer's brashness, Reno's ineptness or Benteen's bitterness but the loss of surprise, the pressure to attack, the confidence of the Indians, their stubborn resistance capitalizing on the fractured commands and collapse and the primary fact that they didn't run like everyone perceived. Other elements include Crook's stepping out of the campaign with his 1300 men after the battle of the Rosebud the week before against smaller numbers then Custer. But also it's noted that Custer preferred the standard morning surprise attack but after discivering Indians on his back trail, he felt the need to attack immediately with reconnaissance done while on the move. Many forget that Colonel Reynolds inder Crook was nearly Court Martialed for botching the March Powder River attack. Although not mentioned directly, all commanders were under pressure to attack before the Indians dispersed. Terry's and Crook's subsequent post LBH campaigns attest to the Indian mobility challenge. The latter part of the book deals with the Custer legend based on writings, movies and historical hindsight that are based on the culture at the present, WWII era versus post Vietnam. This latter portion reminds of Hutton's great book the "Custer Reader" which is also worth a very good look since it also deals with participant' writings and fellow historians. This is a good book for those looking for a pretty good capsule on Custer that includes excellent pictures and an argument. Then they can venture into the books with greater analysis and detail and of course a greater feel for why the battle is so controversial.

The most thorough and well-researched book I've ever read on Custer. The beautiful illustrations, supporting historical documents, and Dononvan's insightful analysis evoke the myth that is our American West. Custer embodies that myth. Donovan succeeds in humanizing this compelling, tragic man while celebrating his immortality. The author does an exceptional job of establishing and explaining the legend of Custer and why his last battle seized the imagination of the American public. Securing not just a place in American history, but in our culture.

There are two sentences on page 59 that sums up this book. They are, "Begin by deciding how much risk is comfortable and then seek the optimum level of return at that point. ... An advisor can then construct a portfolio that has the highest possible expected return within that risk criteria." The book touches on basic concepts and theories, but does little to help you figure out how to implement those theories. I found this book to be no help at all. I don't know if these other reviewers are friends of his, but I just don't understand giving this book 5 stars.

For the uninitiated investor, The Informed Investor, provides a solid grounding in the basics of investing in index funds and mutual funds using an asset allocation approach. Armstrong does not provide earth shattering revelations or trade secrets of the markets, but does provide a methodical way of evaluating your investment needs and then showing you how to put together a practical mutual fund-type diversified portfolio.

Most individual investors have no game plan or written investment goals. They may have a lofty goal of obtaining 10 - 20% annual returns over the long-term. Now that we've experienced a significant bear market-which may get worse - the investor needs to sit down and realistically assess his/her financial needs and use a time-tested investing approach.

Armstrong's book offers a systematic approach to understanding the investment scene. He covers long-term trends and returns in the various investment categories from 1926 - 2000 and shows that stocks were the way to go - especially small company stocks. He then provides a 32-page informative discussion on assessing the risk of investing - a subject that many investors don't know too much about. Unfortunately, most investors pay little attention to this vital subject and end up losing their shirts because they don't understand the elements of risk.

Armstrong then covers modern portfolio theory, the efficient frontier, and the overwhelming importance of proper asset allocation (e.g., stocks, bonds, and cash) compared to individual stock selection or market timing. Other topics covered include: whether managers add value (not really), benchmarks, controlling costs and taxes, and some investing horror stories.

Armstrong provides interesting statistics on building a portfolio first with an allocation of 60% in the S&P 500 and 40% in long-term bonds from 1975- 2000. This portfolio provided and annual return of 14.43% with a standard deviation of 11.42%. He then provides different portfolio mixes and ends with a portfolio of investment vehicles that provide an annual return of 14.71% with a standard deviation of 9.09% -- a significant improvement in lowering its riskiness. Armstrong provides guidelines in investing for retirement using a global equity exposure and bonds.

Once the allocation is determined the next step is to actually select the investment vehicles. Here, Armstrong focuses on selecting mutual funds, closed end funds unit investment trusts, REITs, variable annuities, ETFs, and index funds. He points out the differences of using investment advisors or doing it yourself.

There is an appendix with a sample investment policy statement for individuals that can serve as a model for most individuals with appropriate adjustments, as necessary.

In conclusion, Armstrong provides a practical, easy-to-implement asset allocation approach using no-load mutual funds and other vehicles. For individuals that need an advisor, he provides helpful hints in selecting one. The new and average investor will greatly benefit from the wisdom provided in this book.

I bought this after seeing it in a magazine and left it on the shelf for six months. I should have picked it up sooner.

This is exactly what I needed. I have no formal training with investing. I thought investing was opening a savings account, buying CDs and putting money into my company's retirement plan. I had a crude understanding of the way things work, but this book opened my eyes to options (like index funds) that I did not know about -- and for that matter, would probably never be told about by a broker or my company's 401k administrator. It is especially informative in light of the accounting and broker scandals of the last year and a half.

It is clearly written. No mumbo jumbo. The Informed Investor informs-as advertised.

_Paradise News_ concerns Bernard Walsh, a defrocked Anglo-Catholic priest who is teaching theology half-time at a depressing college in a depressing English town. His aunt contacts him from Hawaii with the news that she is dying, and that she would like him to convince his father (her brother) to visit her, at her expense, for one last time. They have not met since the '50s, for insufficiently explained reasons, though the scandal over Aunt Ursula first marrying, then divorcing, an American serviceman might have something to do with it.

Bernard's father is a disagreeable old man who is afraid of flying, but somehow, with the unexpected help of Bernard's scheming sister Tess, who is afraid of losing Ursula's fabled inheritance, he is convinced to go. Bernard lucks into a last-minute cancellation of a tourist package, getting the two of them a cheap flight, and more to the point of the book, allowing Lodge to portray a wide variety of English tourists, to a variety of comic effect. Some of the thematic center of the book is provided by an academic, an anthropologist of tourism, who has various cockeyed theories about the ritualistic place of tourism in human life, and who is much taken with the repeated motif of "Paradise" in the names of Hawaiian tourist traps. The other thematic center, of course, revolves around Bernard's own loss of faith, and the stories of his rigid Catholic upbringing, his seminary training, his years teaching, and his brief time as a parish priest.

In Hawaii, Bernard's father is almost immediately run down by a car. So Bernard's time is taken up with dealing with his father's hospitalization, and then with Aunt Ursula's situation, partly in a shabby nursing house, partly in hospital. Bernard must deal with finding a place for Ursula to live out her short expected term, and this in the light of her rather more straitened than expected circumstances. Bernard also meets and falls in love with the woman who ran over his father, a woman in the process of divorcing her husband, who hates Hawaii, but who proves just the right woman for an ex-priest whose only sexual experience has consisted of humiliating failure. We also get glimpses of the other English tourists, these functioning mostly as pretty effective comic relief.

I enjoyed this novel very much. It's both very funny, and quite serious at core. It's well-written, the characters are very well delineated, and their stories are involving and moving. The serious aspects -- the exploration of faith, and paradise, and, yes, tourism, are interesting and intelligent. The only quibbles I'd have would be the convenient resolution of some difficulties: some financial difficulties, and also the easy coincidence of Bernard's "meet cute" with an appropriate woman. But, to be sure, those are conventions of comedy, to some extent.

In Paradise News, David Lodge does something unusual. His main character is a forty-something virgin, sexually inhibited and celibate by force of habit. Perhaps more uncommon, Bernard is an honest man. He's even a somewhat boring, ordinary man, not particularly neurotic or troubled, and yet still cabable of growth over the course of the novel. More extraordinary still, Lodge gives us a sensible love story and sensible sex. How often do we see that? It makes a refreshing change. But for those who don't think an honest man with moral concerns getting a sensible--if much overdue--introduction to sex and falling in love in a sensible way doesn't sound interesting, think again. Lodge is always worth reading. He entertains (funny situations; the wish fulfillment story of how Bernard's aunt ends the book better off than she started it) and he provokes thought (among other things, vacationing as the modern-day pilgrimage, a pursuit of paradise).

The only strikes against this book are that it starts off a bit slow, focusing at first on characters you know will be minor. It picks up speed quickly enough, but the minor characters are perhaps not all they could be--a small concern really, when they are better than many writers would have managed. And the incest theme lacks punch. It may be a sad commentary on the cynicism and jaded sensibilities of my generation when one of us can say, "Ho hum, incest again", but that's the way it is. The incest serves its purpose in the novel, but that whole subplot just wasn't as interesting as the larger story of Bernard's renewal. And as that IS intersting, Paradise News is well worth reading.

David Lodge is one of the most gifted writers around and Paradise News is one of his best books.
Bernard is an ex-priest who who left the priesthood after realizing that he was and always had been an atheist. His decision to leave the priesthood (which he entered as an adolescent) leaves him with no real meaning in his life until his aunt calls him to her deathbed. With his father, Bernard travels half-way around the world (from England to Hawaii) in an attempt to reconcile his father and his aunt. In doing so, he discovers who he is and what he has been searching for.
The themes in this book (pedophilia/sex abuse, unresolved sexuality among young priests etc.) are especially timely right now but even without these themes the book has an incredible pull and power.

To read about Custer this is the best place to start. Utley gives a great frame work of Custer's life from his pre-cadet days, courtship, Civil War days (noticed by McClellan which starts it all) and captures his post war duties of reconstruction duties, Kansas-Nebraska-Oklahoma campaigns, court martial, Battle of Waschita, hobnobbing in New York and Washington, Yellowstone Survey of 1873, the Black Hills exploration, political conflicts, Washington and Grant episode and of course the LBH. Also reveals perhaps a weakness in frontier military life such as the remoteness followed by extended leave for officers including Custer. Objective in that Utley traces some questioning financial aspirations of Custer that may even have involved sutlers on a small scale while later he serves, perhaps as a patsy for the democrats, as a political foil against the Grant admnistration in reference to malfeasance with military supplies and sutler relations. Only wish their was even more material on Custer but you do get a good picture of the man including his racuous fun loving side. The book also demonstrates that Custer treated friends and family well and that those that were not were not fond of him. Supports the often quoted "loved or hated".

This biography of George Armstrong Custer devotes most of its pages to his post Civil War career. Most people only know that he died at the Little Bighorn battle; they know the legend or the symbol, not the real person. Chapter 1 discusses his legend from 1876 to the present. Before his last campaign Custer charged the Grant administration with fraud and corruption. So whether he was a "victim of Grant's Indian policy" or a "foolhardy glory hunter" depended on the politics of the beholder.

Custer's postwar career depended on the support of Sherman and Sheridan ("Custer never let me down"). Since the Indians kept far away from the railroads, building the Northern Pacific railroad would ethnically cleanse the northern Dakota territory. The railroads were given tens of thousands of square miles of land ("sunblasted in summer, frozen in winter" p.125). They could not be sold to settlers until Indians were removed and neutralized. Settlers would then buy railroad lands, then use the railroad to transport their produce and supplies. The army's task was to implement this political policy; they only followed orders. There were treaties such as at Medicine Lodge in October 1867. But the Indians had no idea that they were giving up the country they claimed as their own (p.59).

The announced purpose of the Black Hills Expedition of 1874 was to find a site for a new fort, and for scientific exploration. The discovery of gold meant that miners would flock to these Indian lands via the Northern Pacific. The chief geologist, and Lt. Col. Fred Grant, cast doubt on this report: it might have been planted (p.141)! These lands could not be developed while the Indians held title, unless a war was created to negate the treaty (p.147). The Interior Dept. issued an ultimatum to the Sitting Bull bands: move to the Great Sioux Reservation or be driven in (p.156). But the Indians were immobilized in winter! Their failure to migrate was used to start a war. The military campaign started in April 1876. Custer believed that the Indians should be civilized into Christian farmers, but "if I were an Indian I often think that I would prefer to adhere to the free open plains rather than submit to a reservation" (p.149).

Just before his last campaign Custer testified against the actions of Secretary of War Belknap. Was he looking for some heroic action to gain popular acclaim? Was he suffering from any ailment that could affect his judgment? Chapter 9 discusses the "Judgments" on the defeat. Utley wonders if Custer received his chest wound at the beginning of the battle, and this demoralized and confused their defense? This would account for much that is puzzling about the battle (p.199). Those paintings of "Custer's Last Stand" are imagined. The Sioux fired their rifles and arrows from long range while concealed (p.190). They were too smart for a "Charge of the Light Brigade".

I have been an avid reader of Custer related literature
through the years and this is simply the best book on the market
on George Armstrong Custer. As a graduate student at Mississippi
State University and taking a course on the American West I gave
a lecture on Custer and recommended this book to the class.
Mr. Utley gives great detail on Custer's life. As with any
reader of Custer the debate rages on about General Terry's orders
to Custer and if they were obeyed or not. The author brought
out something I had not read before and that being the affidavet
of a cook who overheard a conservation between Terry and Custer.
A great book on Custer and especially on the Battle of the
Little Bighorn. Also, being a Civil War buff I liked the way the author mentioned how former Confederate generals were some
of Custer's biggest defenders after the battle.
If one were looking for a starting place on Custer this book
would be the one.

I knew little about George Custer before reading Mr. Wert's book. I found it to be a well documented, balanced, but limited view of Custer's life and career. Wert provides a view of Custer that is different from the traditional found in average text books. This is the story of a fearless, and courageous American Cavalryman who possessed the traditional qualities that make a great military leader. It also tells the story of a man who has faults and vices like any other. What pleased me most about the book was the extensive documentation effort put forth by Mr. Wert, and the fact that he would always tell the reader whenever he was making an assumption that was not based on tangible documentation. I believe this is a must read for anyone wanting to learn about George Custer, especially his military experiences.

Most people know little of George Armstrong Custer except of his death on the Little Big Horn river on June 25, 1876. (Was he the last General to lead his troops into battle, and die?) In his 36 years he lived in very interesting times. He wanted fame and glory, and bought it on a Sunday afternoon. "Custer has been the subject of more books and articles than any American except Abraham Lincoln" (p.9). He was also controversial. This book covers both the Civil War and the postwar years, and is based upon recent scholarship and research. The Bibliography has seven pages of unpublished sources and twenty pages of published sources.

The Civil War meant an early graduation from West Point, and Custer was sent to the Second Cavalry and Bull Run. Brevet Captain Custer was promoted to Brigadier General in 1863. He was one of the youngest Union Generals in the Civil War. He adopted a brilliant crimson necktie that was copied by his troops (the 'red badge of courage'?). Custer and his 7th Michigan defeated JEB Stuart's Invincibles to help win the battle of Gettysburg. Custer gained the confidence and admiration of the entire brigade (p.101). There was no question of his bravery, leadership qualities, or skill in combat (p.102).

Thousands of square miles of land were given to the railroads. They would profit when white settlers bought this land, grew crops, and used the railroads for transportation. The Army was used to pacify the Indians on the Great Plains, and ethnically cleanse these lands. The Indians fought back in many battles, but lost. Peace treaties were made to place tribes on reservations. Forts were built to protect settlers and towns. Cavalry was used on these vast plains, but were limited by their wagon trains. The army's job was to keep the Indians on the reservation.

In 1873 the Northern Pacific sought military protection for its planned railroad thru Montana and Wyoming. On August 4, 1873 Custer and about 90 troops scouted the Yellowstone. They were attacked by 300 Sioux. The troops retreated to the cottonwood trees and held them off. When their ammunition ran low, Custer mounted a counterattack and the Sioux fled. The cavalry with discipline, fire-power (Spencer rifles), and leadership could oppose a larger force of warriors. Three years later Custer's luck ran out. The last chapters tell all about Custer's Last Stand.

I completely enjoyed this book. I have read it twice and keep a copy for reference. Mr. Wert tells an exciting story of possibly the most maligned military leader in American history. The reader gets a feel of what the real Custer was. Not a super-hero of the wild west and not the evil egomanic that has been put forth by some revisionist. Custer was above all a solider doing his duty and except for one fatal day in June 1876, he did it better than most. Great job Mr. Wert.