By Evan S. Connell

My paperback copy of Son of the Morning Star is battered, stained, and scratched. The spine is broken, and several pictures from the center of the book have come loose. These are the sure signs of a well loved and often read book. This was the book that rekindled my interest in history. If you have even a slight interest in this time period you should read this book. There are many books available that cover the same ground: George Custer and the Little Big Horn campaign. But Evan Connell is a brilliant storyteller. Every character, major and minor, is brought to life with great detail. This focus on character brings new vitality to the oft-told tale of Custer's disastrous campaign on the plains. The Indians turn out to be at least as interesting as the colorful rogues riding with Custer. You can open the book to any page and start reading, and become enthralled. What a wonderful quality in a work of nonfiction. The book has been made into a very good TV movie starring Gary Cole as George Custer.

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