Reviews
THE LAST DAYS OF GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER
From the Publisher:
In this thrilling narrative history of George Armstrong Custer’s death at the Little Bighorn, award-winning historian Thom Hatch puts to rest the questions and conspiracies that have made Custer's last stand one of the most misunderstood events in American history. While numerous historians have investigated the battle, what happened on those plains hundreds of miles from even a whisper of civilization has been obscured by intrigue and deception starting with the very first shots fired.
Custer’s death and the defeat of the 7th Calvary by the Sioux was a shock to a nation that had come to believe that its westward expansion was a matter of destiny. While the first reports defended Custer, many have come to judge him by this single event, leveling claims of racism, disobedience, and incompetence. These false claims unjustly color Custer’s otherwise extraordinarily life and fall far short of encompassing his service to his country.
By reexamining the facts and putting Custer within the context of his time and his career as a soldier, Hatch’s The Last Days of George Armstrong Custer reveals the untold and controversial truth of what really happened in the valley of the Little Bighorn, making it the definitive history of Custer’s last stand. This history of charging cavalry, desperate defenses, and malicious intrigue finally sets the record straight for one of history’s most dynamic and misunderstood figures.
GLORIOUS WAR
Praise for Glorious War
“A lively and very readable account of the
early career of George Armstrong Custer.”
-Larry McMurtry, Pulitzer Prize Winner and
Author of Lonesome Dove
“Finally, instead of the zoom lens focus on
George Armstrong Custer at the Little Big
Horn, we are treated to a wide angle portrait
of Custer the Civil War hero. The ‘Boy
General’—promoted to Brigadier General at
23—receives from acclaimed author Thom
Hatch a rich portrait that is no hagiography,
but rather painted in a multitude of colors
befitting the swashbuckling adventurer with
his yellow curls and red ties. Both those long
fascinated by Custer, and students of the
Civil War, will find new insights to enliven
the Custer conversation.”
-Ronald C. White, Jr., The New York
Times bestselling author of A. Lincoln
“George Armstrong Custer is remembered for
a single, spectacular defeat, yet he was one
of America's most successful soldiers. Thom
Hatch explores that historical contradiction in
this exciting tale of Custer's forgotten Civil
War career. Hatch's prose, as fast-paced as a
cavalry charge, sweeps the reader along
through many of the Civil War's greatest
battles, while also creating deft portraits of
Custer and his contemporaries. Solid history
and good reading.”
-Paul Andrew Hutton, University of New
Mexico
"Hatch’s research and knowledge are
formidable; his prose, clear and accessible,
even when he’s describing the chaotic
intricacies of battle – and of human
relationships… A considerable achievement."
-The Plain Dealer
“The deftly detailed narrative undergirds
Hatch’s emphasis on the importance of
Custer’s early military career while delivering
the drama of the larger swirl of the Civil
War.”
-Publishers Weekly
“An admiring, fast-paced, thoroughly
readable account of Custer at war.”
-Kirkus Reviews
"Custer's legendary pluck, luck, and sheer
audacity shine throughout the narrative.
VERDICT Recommended as a lively read for
Civil War history buffs during the 150th
anniversaries and beyond."
-Library Journal
"[Glorious War] ought to serve as a
treatment for Hollywood to make a
blockbuster film about Custer's early
career...a compelling story, one that has
been for the most part ignored by recent
popular culture."
-The Daily Oklahoman
THE LAST OUTLAWS
Praise for The Last Outlaws
"'It has always been a difficult task,' writes Mr.
Hatch, 'to trace those Old West characters who
crisscrossed the line separating respectable
work and banditry.' But I can't imagine a writer
doing a more scrupulous job of it than he does
in his history of Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid... Mr. Hatch carefully sketches the
backgrounds of the men, and any reader who
plans to hold up a railroad should start with his
book. The Last Outlaws is eloquent of not only
the Old West that we think of when we see a
photograph of a butte or a mustang or a Colt
revolver but also of the implacable forces of
time and change that extinguished it."
-The Wall Street Journal
"An absorbing and entertaining read...Hatch is
excellent at rooting out the available facts about
the men's early lives, which he then uses to
suggest, in a wisely light-handed way, the
components of their psychology...A yeoman's
job of tracking down and assembling the
dossiers and stories."
-USA Today
"The author has collected an amazing amount
of data and written authoritatively on Butch
and Sundance’s last, twisting trail... Hatch, like
Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the
celebrated 1969 film, catches the infectious
spirit of the two men and their exploits."
-Dallas Morning News
"Hatch covers the duo's evolution from ranch
hands to robbers with a reporter's eye and a
novelist's sense of drama. Some escapades have
been told before, but Hatch's enthusiasm for the
material and empathy for his subjects makes
them seem new."
-Publishers Weekly
“Mr. Hatch is an accomplished historian with a
journalist’s eye and a novelist’s touch.”
-The Washington Times
"'The Last Outlaws' is extremely well-written
and feels more like a novel or work of fiction
compared to a factual biography. It's a must
read for any fan of the Old West and the outlaw life."
-Salt Lake City Deseret News
"Hatch, the acclaimed western historian,
succeeds in sifting out the film’s
embellishments in this excellent dual biography."
-Booklist
"Hatch achieves what most historical writers
fail at, engaging their readers while giving a
full-untainted history of their choice material...
Beautifully creating a vivid image of who these
men truly were and what motivated them."
-Latinos Post
"Hatch does a fine job of telling this story. It’s
an interesting and entertaining read. Butch and
his sidekick would probably have enjoyed it."
-Buffalo News
"In this dual biography of celebrated bandits, a
specialist in the Old West deftly separates fact
from fiction."
-Kirkus
"'The Last Outlaws' offers a compelling look at
two of history’s most famous outlaws."
-Cowboys & Indians
"The author tells a story every bit as interesting
as the Hollywood film about the outlaws. And
when you have a well-told tale read in an
engaging manner, you have a most enjoyable
audio experience. In all, the book is a fun and
informative listen."
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
-AudioFile Magazine
OSCEOLA AND THE GREAT SEMINOLE WAR
At the time of his death in 1838, Seminole warrior Osceola was the most famous and respected Native American in the world. Born a Creek, young Osceola was driven from his home by General Andrew Jackson to Spanish Florida, where he joined the Seminole tribe. Years later, President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which was not only intended to relocate the Seminoles to hostile lands in the West but would force the return of runaway slaves who had joined that tribe. Osceola—outraged at the potential loss of his people and homeland—did not hesitate to declare war on the United States.
Osceola and the Great Seminole War vividly recounts how one warrior with courage and cunning unequaled by any Native American leader before or after would mastermind battle strategies that would embarrass the best officers in the United States Army. Employing daring guerilla tactics, Osceola initiated and orchestrated the longest, most expensive, and deadliest war ever fought by the United States against Native Americans. With each victory by his outnumbered and undersupplied warriors, Osceola’s reputation grew among his people and captured the imagination of the citizens of the United States. At the time, many cheered his quixotic quest for justice and freedom, and since then many more have considered his betrayal on the battlefield to be one the darkest hours in U.S. Army history.
Praise for Osceola and the Great Seminole War
“Sitting Bull, Geronimo and Crazy Horse are well known
to every schoolchild. Hatch deftly brings Osceola to the pantheon
of legendary Native American leaders.”
--Kirkus Reviews
“His story, stirring and sad in equal measure,
is now told by Thom Hatch in this new history of the Seminole ordeal.”
-Thomas Powers, Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner and
National Book Critics Circle finalist for The Killing of Crazy Horse
“With admirable scholarship and fresh and exciting detail,
Thom Hatch tells the epic story of young Billy Powell,
who embraced his Native American heritage and entered history as Osceola,
leader of the Seminoles. Telling of his fight for his people,
Hatch demonstrates convincingly why Osceola deserves a
place in the pantheon with Cochise, Tecumseh, and Sitting Bull.”
-A. J. Langguth, author of
Driven West: Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears to the Civil War
“After reading Thom Hatch’s fine biography of the Seminole warrior, Osceola,
readers will wonder, 'How did Americans forget this impressive Native American?'
We now have a written portrait that suits the complexity and significance of the man.”
–History Book Club.
“Engaging, well-researched study. This important book adds
to our understanding of the shameful mistreatment of
Native Americans and their resistance.”
-Joseph Vallely, Flaming Star Literary Enterprises.
BLACK KETTLE
Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Geronimo. Their names ring down through history as symbols of noble defiance against overwhelming odds. These great warrior chiefs challenged the might of the U.S. Army in desperate and doomed attempts to end white encroachment on their land and preserve their traditional ways of life. We honor their memories not for their success, but for their courage. There was another great chief, no less courageous, who believed that the only way to save his people was by waging peace instead of war. His name was Black Kettle. This is the first biography of one of the most intriguing figures in the history of the American West. It traces the life of Black Kettle from the days of his youth, when he proved his courage and leadership skills in battles against enemy tribes, through his elevation to chief of the Cheyennes—and his realization that, for the good of his people, he must become a statesman rather than a warrior.
The book documents his ceaseless efforts to achieve just treaties with the United States, even in the face of death threats from members of his own tribe, and describes his ultimate betrayal by the very authorities with whom he struggled to make peace. Black Kettle survived one betrayal, the notorious Sand Creek Massacre, but the controversial battle at Washita Creek four years later cost him his life. This fascinating journey through the life of Black Kettle and the early days of the Cheyennes explores the social, political, cultural, and historical factors that shaped every interaction between the Cheyennes and white settlers.
Praise for Black Kettle: The Cheyenne Chief Who Sought Peace but Found War
“A thorough picture…Hatch cares about Black Kettle
and the things he attempted to accomplish.”
-The Oklahoman
“A fresh and comprehensive reassessment of Black Kettle…
A welcome addition to studies of the American West.”
-Booklist
“Thom Hatch brings us the complete life of Black Kettle—his analysis
of the man’s life and the events surrounding it is fresh, bold, and
provides new challenges for future researchers.”
–Bob Reece, President, Friends of the Little Bighorn.
In 2005, Black Kettle: The Cheyenne Chief Who Sought Peace But Found War received the Spur Award for literary excellence as the best biography of the year from the Western Writers of America.
THE BLUE, THE GRAY, AND THE RED
This controversial work was the first book to fill a void in Civil War and Plains Indian history by presenting those bloody conflicts fought by Union and Confederate soldiers and local militias against Native American tribes in the desolate, untamed territories west of the Mississippi River, 1861-1865. While the country (and later historians) were focused on the war in the East, these noteworthy--often notorious and occasionally little known--engagements were relatively ignored, but each one directly led to decades of unrest and conflict on the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountain West, and the American Southwest.
Publishers Weekly wrote that “The author has added to this clear and even-handed account a scholarly apparatus that adds considerably to its value;” American Studies Resources Center: “well-documented, straightforward, and accessibly written;” Civil War Magazine called it “superbly presented, much-appreciated and strongly recommended;” and The English Westerners’ Society: “an invaluable resource.”
THE CUSTER COMPANION
This 200,000-word compendium of information, with 80 photographs and 22 maps assists the casual reader or the serious researcher in better appreciating and placing in perspective the military campaigns; the vast number of colorful characters; the significant social, political, cultural, and historical events; recommended reading; and other relevant facts, while debunking legends and myths, associated with the conflicts between the United States Army and Native American tribes that occurred on the Great Plains from the late 1700s to the late 1800s.
The Library Journal: “This book does exactly what its title claims...a reliable and impartial guide... highly recommended;” the Amarillo Globe-News called it “compelling reading;” and the Topeka Capital-Journal wrote: "(The author) can teach all readers a thing or two or, more likely a lot."
CLASHES OF CAVALRY
This is the story of two remarkable men, both natural-born cavalry leaders of great courage, whose Civil War legacies were destined to be connected. The book takes an innovative approach by following the Blue and the Gray cavalries through the eyes of Custer on the North and Stuart on the South, and examines the role of each in their various battles, many of which were waged against each other. A highlight of Clashes of Cavalry is the author’s meticulously researched detailed account of the skirmish between these two legendary generals during the Battle of Gettysburg that heretofore had been overlooked by historians and is now thought to have changed the course of that battle and perhaps even the entire war.
The History Book Club featured this book with full-page inserts in a variety of national publications. Booklist called it “well-written, engrossing, and accurate;” Civil War Times: (Hatch’s) narratives are as spirited as a cavalry charge;” and Southern Partisan wrote: “it's good history and good reading.”
THE ALAMO AND THE TEXAS REVOLUTION
This comprehensive volume provides thorough coverage of the people, places, events, and issues spanning the pre-revolution period and the settlement of Texas by Americans to the forming of the Republic in 1836. A dramatic day-by-day account details the famous 13-day siege of the Alamo, and the climactic battle is chronicled moment by moment. Biographies of every Alamo defender is included, as well as those individuals, whether famous or obscure, who had a major impact on events. American and Mexican sources have been used to assure a well-rounded picture of this often-misunderstood event. Maps and an extensive bibliography complement the text. This book sold out in hardbound, and was released in soft cover.
It was called by Choice “the classic reference source on the subject,” and by ARBA 2000 as “a first-rate book...accurate, readable, and comprehensive.”
CUSTER AND THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN
Every aspect of the controversial Battle of the Little Bighorn is covered in this handy volume, as well as other major events of the Plains Indian Wars. Custer and the people around him and his Native American counterparts are profiled, as are related military campaigns, battles, historical events, equipment, terminology, Plains Indian customs and culture, artists and artwork, movies, and other subjects associated with the battle and that period in history.
American History called it “definitive, compelling;” Outside Magazine suggested reading this book before visiting the battlefield site, and called its content “Comprehensive;” and Janes Defence Weekly wrote: “Fascinating...highly recommended.” "A work that is readable by itself, meticulously researched and clearly written.” --The Tulsa World
From the Publisher:
In this thrilling narrative history of George Armstrong Custer’s death at the Little Bighorn, award-winning historian Thom Hatch puts to rest the questions and conspiracies that have made Custer's last stand one of the most misunderstood events in American history. While numerous historians have investigated the battle, what happened on those plains hundreds of miles from even a whisper of civilization has been obscured by intrigue and deception starting with the very first shots fired.
Custer’s death and the defeat of the 7th Calvary by the Sioux was a shock to a nation that had come to believe that its westward expansion was a matter of destiny. While the first reports defended Custer, many have come to judge him by this single event, leveling claims of racism, disobedience, and incompetence. These false claims unjustly color Custer’s otherwise extraordinarily life and fall far short of encompassing his service to his country.
By reexamining the facts and putting Custer within the context of his time and his career as a soldier, Hatch’s The Last Days of George Armstrong Custer reveals the untold and controversial truth of what really happened in the valley of the Little Bighorn, making it the definitive history of Custer’s last stand. This history of charging cavalry, desperate defenses, and malicious intrigue finally sets the record straight for one of history’s most dynamic and misunderstood figures.
GLORIOUS WAR
Praise for Glorious War
“A lively and very readable account of the
early career of George Armstrong Custer.”
-Larry McMurtry, Pulitzer Prize Winner and
Author of Lonesome Dove
“Finally, instead of the zoom lens focus on
George Armstrong Custer at the Little Big
Horn, we are treated to a wide angle portrait
of Custer the Civil War hero. The ‘Boy
General’—promoted to Brigadier General at
23—receives from acclaimed author Thom
Hatch a rich portrait that is no hagiography,
but rather painted in a multitude of colors
befitting the swashbuckling adventurer with
his yellow curls and red ties. Both those long
fascinated by Custer, and students of the
Civil War, will find new insights to enliven
the Custer conversation.”
-Ronald C. White, Jr., The New York
Times bestselling author of A. Lincoln
“George Armstrong Custer is remembered for
a single, spectacular defeat, yet he was one
of America's most successful soldiers. Thom
Hatch explores that historical contradiction in
this exciting tale of Custer's forgotten Civil
War career. Hatch's prose, as fast-paced as a
cavalry charge, sweeps the reader along
through many of the Civil War's greatest
battles, while also creating deft portraits of
Custer and his contemporaries. Solid history
and good reading.”
-Paul Andrew Hutton, University of New
Mexico
"Hatch’s research and knowledge are
formidable; his prose, clear and accessible,
even when he’s describing the chaotic
intricacies of battle – and of human
relationships… A considerable achievement."
-The Plain Dealer
“The deftly detailed narrative undergirds
Hatch’s emphasis on the importance of
Custer’s early military career while delivering
the drama of the larger swirl of the Civil
War.”
-Publishers Weekly
“An admiring, fast-paced, thoroughly
readable account of Custer at war.”
-Kirkus Reviews
"Custer's legendary pluck, luck, and sheer
audacity shine throughout the narrative.
VERDICT Recommended as a lively read for
Civil War history buffs during the 150th
anniversaries and beyond."
-Library Journal
"[Glorious War] ought to serve as a
treatment for Hollywood to make a
blockbuster film about Custer's early
career...a compelling story, one that has
been for the most part ignored by recent
popular culture."
-The Daily Oklahoman
THE LAST OUTLAWS
Praise for The Last Outlaws
"'It has always been a difficult task,' writes Mr.
Hatch, 'to trace those Old West characters who
crisscrossed the line separating respectable
work and banditry.' But I can't imagine a writer
doing a more scrupulous job of it than he does
in his history of Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid... Mr. Hatch carefully sketches the
backgrounds of the men, and any reader who
plans to hold up a railroad should start with his
book. The Last Outlaws is eloquent of not only
the Old West that we think of when we see a
photograph of a butte or a mustang or a Colt
revolver but also of the implacable forces of
time and change that extinguished it."
-The Wall Street Journal
"An absorbing and entertaining read...Hatch is
excellent at rooting out the available facts about
the men's early lives, which he then uses to
suggest, in a wisely light-handed way, the
components of their psychology...A yeoman's
job of tracking down and assembling the
dossiers and stories."
-USA Today
"The author has collected an amazing amount
of data and written authoritatively on Butch
and Sundance’s last, twisting trail... Hatch, like
Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the
celebrated 1969 film, catches the infectious
spirit of the two men and their exploits."
-Dallas Morning News
"Hatch covers the duo's evolution from ranch
hands to robbers with a reporter's eye and a
novelist's sense of drama. Some escapades have
been told before, but Hatch's enthusiasm for the
material and empathy for his subjects makes
them seem new."
-Publishers Weekly
“Mr. Hatch is an accomplished historian with a
journalist’s eye and a novelist’s touch.”
-The Washington Times
"'The Last Outlaws' is extremely well-written
and feels more like a novel or work of fiction
compared to a factual biography. It's a must
read for any fan of the Old West and the outlaw life."
-Salt Lake City Deseret News
"Hatch, the acclaimed western historian,
succeeds in sifting out the film’s
embellishments in this excellent dual biography."
-Booklist
"Hatch achieves what most historical writers
fail at, engaging their readers while giving a
full-untainted history of their choice material...
Beautifully creating a vivid image of who these
men truly were and what motivated them."
-Latinos Post
"Hatch does a fine job of telling this story. It’s
an interesting and entertaining read. Butch and
his sidekick would probably have enjoyed it."
-Buffalo News
"In this dual biography of celebrated bandits, a
specialist in the Old West deftly separates fact
from fiction."
-Kirkus
"'The Last Outlaws' offers a compelling look at
two of history’s most famous outlaws."
-Cowboys & Indians
"The author tells a story every bit as interesting
as the Hollywood film about the outlaws. And
when you have a well-told tale read in an
engaging manner, you have a most enjoyable
audio experience. In all, the book is a fun and
informative listen."
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
-AudioFile Magazine
OSCEOLA AND THE GREAT SEMINOLE WAR
At the time of his death in 1838, Seminole warrior Osceola was the most famous and respected Native American in the world. Born a Creek, young Osceola was driven from his home by General Andrew Jackson to Spanish Florida, where he joined the Seminole tribe. Years later, President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which was not only intended to relocate the Seminoles to hostile lands in the West but would force the return of runaway slaves who had joined that tribe. Osceola—outraged at the potential loss of his people and homeland—did not hesitate to declare war on the United States.
Osceola and the Great Seminole War vividly recounts how one warrior with courage and cunning unequaled by any Native American leader before or after would mastermind battle strategies that would embarrass the best officers in the United States Army. Employing daring guerilla tactics, Osceola initiated and orchestrated the longest, most expensive, and deadliest war ever fought by the United States against Native Americans. With each victory by his outnumbered and undersupplied warriors, Osceola’s reputation grew among his people and captured the imagination of the citizens of the United States. At the time, many cheered his quixotic quest for justice and freedom, and since then many more have considered his betrayal on the battlefield to be one the darkest hours in U.S. Army history.
Praise for Osceola and the Great Seminole War
“Sitting Bull, Geronimo and Crazy Horse are well known
to every schoolchild. Hatch deftly brings Osceola to the pantheon
of legendary Native American leaders.”
--Kirkus Reviews
“His story, stirring and sad in equal measure,
is now told by Thom Hatch in this new history of the Seminole ordeal.”
-Thomas Powers, Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner and
National Book Critics Circle finalist for The Killing of Crazy Horse
“With admirable scholarship and fresh and exciting detail,
Thom Hatch tells the epic story of young Billy Powell,
who embraced his Native American heritage and entered history as Osceola,
leader of the Seminoles. Telling of his fight for his people,
Hatch demonstrates convincingly why Osceola deserves a
place in the pantheon with Cochise, Tecumseh, and Sitting Bull.”
-A. J. Langguth, author of
Driven West: Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears to the Civil War
“After reading Thom Hatch’s fine biography of the Seminole warrior, Osceola,
readers will wonder, 'How did Americans forget this impressive Native American?'
We now have a written portrait that suits the complexity and significance of the man.”
–History Book Club.
“Engaging, well-researched study. This important book adds
to our understanding of the shameful mistreatment of
Native Americans and their resistance.”
-Joseph Vallely, Flaming Star Literary Enterprises.
BLACK KETTLE
Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Geronimo. Their names ring down through history as symbols of noble defiance against overwhelming odds. These great warrior chiefs challenged the might of the U.S. Army in desperate and doomed attempts to end white encroachment on their land and preserve their traditional ways of life. We honor their memories not for their success, but for their courage. There was another great chief, no less courageous, who believed that the only way to save his people was by waging peace instead of war. His name was Black Kettle. This is the first biography of one of the most intriguing figures in the history of the American West. It traces the life of Black Kettle from the days of his youth, when he proved his courage and leadership skills in battles against enemy tribes, through his elevation to chief of the Cheyennes—and his realization that, for the good of his people, he must become a statesman rather than a warrior.
The book documents his ceaseless efforts to achieve just treaties with the United States, even in the face of death threats from members of his own tribe, and describes his ultimate betrayal by the very authorities with whom he struggled to make peace. Black Kettle survived one betrayal, the notorious Sand Creek Massacre, but the controversial battle at Washita Creek four years later cost him his life. This fascinating journey through the life of Black Kettle and the early days of the Cheyennes explores the social, political, cultural, and historical factors that shaped every interaction between the Cheyennes and white settlers.
Praise for Black Kettle: The Cheyenne Chief Who Sought Peace but Found War
“A thorough picture…Hatch cares about Black Kettle
and the things he attempted to accomplish.”
-The Oklahoman
“A fresh and comprehensive reassessment of Black Kettle…
A welcome addition to studies of the American West.”
-Booklist
“Thom Hatch brings us the complete life of Black Kettle—his analysis
of the man’s life and the events surrounding it is fresh, bold, and
provides new challenges for future researchers.”
–Bob Reece, President, Friends of the Little Bighorn.
In 2005, Black Kettle: The Cheyenne Chief Who Sought Peace But Found War received the Spur Award for literary excellence as the best biography of the year from the Western Writers of America.
THE BLUE, THE GRAY, AND THE RED
This controversial work was the first book to fill a void in Civil War and Plains Indian history by presenting those bloody conflicts fought by Union and Confederate soldiers and local militias against Native American tribes in the desolate, untamed territories west of the Mississippi River, 1861-1865. While the country (and later historians) were focused on the war in the East, these noteworthy--often notorious and occasionally little known--engagements were relatively ignored, but each one directly led to decades of unrest and conflict on the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountain West, and the American Southwest.
Publishers Weekly wrote that “The author has added to this clear and even-handed account a scholarly apparatus that adds considerably to its value;” American Studies Resources Center: “well-documented, straightforward, and accessibly written;” Civil War Magazine called it “superbly presented, much-appreciated and strongly recommended;” and The English Westerners’ Society: “an invaluable resource.”
THE CUSTER COMPANION
This 200,000-word compendium of information, with 80 photographs and 22 maps assists the casual reader or the serious researcher in better appreciating and placing in perspective the military campaigns; the vast number of colorful characters; the significant social, political, cultural, and historical events; recommended reading; and other relevant facts, while debunking legends and myths, associated with the conflicts between the United States Army and Native American tribes that occurred on the Great Plains from the late 1700s to the late 1800s.
The Library Journal: “This book does exactly what its title claims...a reliable and impartial guide... highly recommended;” the Amarillo Globe-News called it “compelling reading;” and the Topeka Capital-Journal wrote: "(The author) can teach all readers a thing or two or, more likely a lot."
CLASHES OF CAVALRY
This is the story of two remarkable men, both natural-born cavalry leaders of great courage, whose Civil War legacies were destined to be connected. The book takes an innovative approach by following the Blue and the Gray cavalries through the eyes of Custer on the North and Stuart on the South, and examines the role of each in their various battles, many of which were waged against each other. A highlight of Clashes of Cavalry is the author’s meticulously researched detailed account of the skirmish between these two legendary generals during the Battle of Gettysburg that heretofore had been overlooked by historians and is now thought to have changed the course of that battle and perhaps even the entire war.
The History Book Club featured this book with full-page inserts in a variety of national publications. Booklist called it “well-written, engrossing, and accurate;” Civil War Times: (Hatch’s) narratives are as spirited as a cavalry charge;” and Southern Partisan wrote: “it's good history and good reading.”
THE ALAMO AND THE TEXAS REVOLUTION
This comprehensive volume provides thorough coverage of the people, places, events, and issues spanning the pre-revolution period and the settlement of Texas by Americans to the forming of the Republic in 1836. A dramatic day-by-day account details the famous 13-day siege of the Alamo, and the climactic battle is chronicled moment by moment. Biographies of every Alamo defender is included, as well as those individuals, whether famous or obscure, who had a major impact on events. American and Mexican sources have been used to assure a well-rounded picture of this often-misunderstood event. Maps and an extensive bibliography complement the text. This book sold out in hardbound, and was released in soft cover.
It was called by Choice “the classic reference source on the subject,” and by ARBA 2000 as “a first-rate book...accurate, readable, and comprehensive.”
CUSTER AND THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN
Every aspect of the controversial Battle of the Little Bighorn is covered in this handy volume, as well as other major events of the Plains Indian Wars. Custer and the people around him and his Native American counterparts are profiled, as are related military campaigns, battles, historical events, equipment, terminology, Plains Indian customs and culture, artists and artwork, movies, and other subjects associated with the battle and that period in history.
American History called it “definitive, compelling;” Outside Magazine suggested reading this book before visiting the battlefield site, and called its content “Comprehensive;” and Janes Defence Weekly wrote: “Fascinating...highly recommended.” "A work that is readable by itself, meticulously researched and clearly written.” --The Tulsa World