Written by Pete Panzeri, this book cuts through the traditional legends and myths surrounding the battle at the Little Big Horn. It is a clear, concise, and eminently readable account. This book is a must for anyone who wants to know the truth about what happened at arguably the most controversial battle in American history.

Hand picked by David Chandler (the series editor) for this project, Panzeri has certainly done his homework. This is not just an echo of previous accounts; based on recent research, historical analysis, and indisputable archaeological evidence, this is not just another rewrite of the same old story.

After the battle, a great body of myths, intentional misinformation (by Custer's wife and those who wished to exonerate themselves of blame), and unfounded legends have shrouded any attempt to discover the truth. Most accounts of the battle have drawn from these early unscholarly accounts; providing no new insights, these accounts tended to reinforce the misconceptions that have persisted for more than 100 years.

Recently, two books have been published that break from the traditional accounts: Richard A. Fox's Archaeology, History, and Custer's Last Battle, (1993) and Roger Darling's A Sad and Terrible Blunder, Generals Terry and Custeron the Little Bighorn: New Discoveries (l990).

Based heavily on these accounts, and with a soldiers eye for pertinent detail and analysis, Panzeri lucidly traces the operational and tactical blunders that made the result inevitable. Unlike many accounts of the Indian Wars, Panzeris book discusses the actions and motivations of the various Indian leaders (chiefly, but not exclusively, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull) as well as those of the Army officers involved.

The production of the book is excellent. Little Big Horn contains more than 100 black and white and color photos, many gathered from obscure sources. The color maps are particularly good. There are several of the beautiful, color birds-eye-view three-dimensional maps that have come to characterize the Osprey campaign books.

Captain Panzeri is a U. S. Army Infantry officer who has served in Desert Storm. Formally Chief of Military History at the U. S. Army's Infantry Center and School, Ft. Benning, GA, he is currently attending graduate school in preparation for an instructor assignment at the United States Military Acaclemy, West Point. Panzeri's no nonsense writing style is clear and engrossing.

Whether you are a student of military history, the Indian Wars, military disaster, or war gaming, you will find what you are looking for in Little Big Horn 1876 Available for $12.95 from better hobby AND book stores. - BUCK SURDU

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