The publication Book by David Cornut is an event in the French historiography as it relates to an area seldom explored: the history of the nineteenth century in the USA. Moreover, he dares to attack a character wholly discredited in France: General Custer! If you want to laugh, so type Custer in the search of Herodotus. Net. It is true that Herodotus, Greek historian was known since ancient times for its approximations, exaggerations or inventions, unlike a Thucydides, a total rigor and who invented the story by recounting the Peloponnesian War .
racist, killer Indian incompetent, arrogant, rebellious ... Here is the list of "qualities" that are generally given to Custer in France but also in the USA in the media called "progressive." Not only the book scans through all these ideas, but above all it gives a complete overview of the battle, alternating point of view of soldiers and the Indians. The amount of work on the evidence is staggering and we feel is the work of an enthusiast, not a vague argument out in a hurry to make money!
The first part is a sincere and passionate biography of Custer. We discover a young soldier, unwilling to any authority, but whose charisma and military qualities will quickly make it one of the heroes of young America. David Cornut the opportunity to portray the lives of U.S. soldiers from the cavalry. It is a far cry from John Ford (although I think his westerns are true masterpieces. Review therefore Stagecoach!) And we find a motley army, lacking everything but holding fast to protect any young democracy. The very special atmosphere of the 7th Cavalry is made. These early chapters also emphasize the role of Custer during the Civil War and we now understand better the aura which will then mark and despite his obvious lack of discipline. The glories (and failures one of which earned him one year without pay after an initial failed Indian countryside) of Custer, his sometimes brutal attitude towards the unlike him, refused to put themselves completely at the service of young democracy, make a character so unusual but representative of the legendary Wild West.
In a second part, the author also takes the opportunity to blast preconceptions about Indians and shows that beyond the romantic idealism, the tribes were composed of men, neither more nor less and that they were equally capable of exceptional cruelty as a limitless courage. And portraits of Crazy Horse or Sitting Bull describe the two Indian chiefs with all their ambiguities. We see Sitting Bull's become a real fantasy alive for the beautiful American. It also shows how these tribes were organized, as conveyed by the romance westerns new age is not really the full truth. Like Custer, Cornut not dodging the black faces and refused to write hagiographies. Written in a clear (the style is direct and never bombastic), this first act that the youth of Custer on the eve of battle passion through the psychology of the Plains Indians would be the basis of an excellent western. Finally, to understand the situation, Cornut explains the importance of the Black Hills, their openness to colonization, the failure of negotiations with the Indians .... Briefly, then all it takes to understand the significance of the battle.
The third part is about the battle itself: it then enters a narrative almost to the minute where the strategy, explained by several maps, allows us to understand how Custer was trapped and eventually found the death. Again, the author sweeps all the ideas (the thousands of Indians, the so-called incompetence of General ..) and does not hesitate to point out the real culprits of the disaster, General Reno in mind. Drawing on Archaeology, the testimony of survivors and American Indians, Little Big Horn is unfolding before our eyes, alternating viewpoints of both sides. Again, a writer would have no trouble making a good western. Cornut been talking all actors, sometimes even in different Indian languages. The work of scholarship is enormous and the imposing mass of notes (which we would have preferred to find the bottom of the page and not at the end of each chapter). Expressions in Indian languages and English are all obviously translated.
The fourth part deals with the repercussions of the massive defeat but also to attempts to smear Custer. That, of course, one that will do the most controversy, even if in France, it is clear that the subject does not passion. The author then re-trial, highlights the lies of Reno and Bentheen before the commission. Again, work on the evidence, paralleling reports and hearings are considerable. No line is really unnecessary and we understand even better the black legend that now surrounds the General Custer.
Then the author concludes his story: he is interested in the late Indian wars, restore the truth about the massacre at Wounded Knee, recounts through an impressive series of little biographies the end of life of the protagonists of Little survivors Big Horn.
Finally, an extensive glossary concludes the book with a flourish.
icing on the cake, the book is a beautiful thing, enhanced with previously unpublished photographs (some taken by the author on the site of the battle) and appear prominently in the library of any lover of history who respects himself. Little Big Horn, the younger guard university has not said its last word and more importantly, it means thinking outside the boundaries of political correctness. It was time!
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