Which historical details in the novel surprised you or were new to you?
Created: 08/22/18
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I was surprised at the extent of brutality and mutilations in general and particularly of innocents by both parties and that the cavalry killed horses as well (almost 900 at Washita.). This was understandably very difficult for them to do as cavalrymen, plus the process was overwhelming and time consuming. Also, I always thought of camps and forts as being much smaller than they actually were -- but the number of soldiers, horses, supplies, and furniture that traveled on the train to Dakota Territory, as an example, was described as enough for "a whole town.'
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I didn’t realize the “Indian Wars” not only referred to the US troops vs the Indians but the various tribes warring vs each other for territory especially as the Eastern tribes kept getting pushed further West. There was also a philosophical and ideological fight between the elders of the tribe and the younger warriors who refused any negotiations.
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I didn’t realize the “Indian Wars” not only referred to the US troops vs the Indians but the various tribes warring vs each other for territory especially as the Eastern tribes kept getting pushed further West. There was also a philosophical and ideological fight between the elders of the tribe and the younger warriors who refused any negotiations.
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As I had mentioned in another post, I have read many books about this time in our nation's history-both about the various Native tribes and the US treatment of them. This book gave me more insight on Custer more than anything else.. I was unaware of how needy Custer was-he depended on Libby more than I expected he would. He also became very dependent on Monahsetah. And in spite of all his swagger, he struck me as a rather insecure person who really needed others' attention, compliments and praises.
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I did not know much about Custer to start with so the entire book was a learning experience about him, his wife and his brother. I have seen enough movies and read enough books that I wasn't surprised by how the inhumane treatment of each other. As stated by others, I didn't realize they killed all of the Indian's ponies. It seems like such senseless slaughter - well it all was.
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I became fascinated with Custer. All I knew of him previously was 'Custer's last stand' and 'The Battle of Little Bighorn'. His personal life, relationship with President Grant and the Washington elite were all new to me. That he graduated last in his class of 34 at West Point was a shocker. As the book indicated, he was in the right place at the right time to achieve the military status that he did.
Join Date: 08/26/17
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The history of women's fashion fascinates me & I appreciate that Soli mentioned how restrictive and confining it was to be a stylish woman in the mid 1800's. Although the women looked graceful and delicate, they could not move well or even work with their tight corsets and awkward hoop skirts. Just as we criticized the Chinese practice of binding girls' feet, western culture equally used fashion to constrict the freedom of its women.
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None surprised me. As a student of history I’ve learned to accept the past, learn the lessons provided, and hope to avoid making the same mistakes. As humans, we are flawed. Humans have committed terrible atrocities in the belief they were acting for the greater good. It is easy as armchair historians to hold those who came before us accoyntable for what we now perceive as wrongdoing. However, we cannot judge by our 21st Century ideals. Civilization continues to evolve, and what is acceptable evolves as well. Time. Place. Context. It matters.
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