December 21st, 2009

It’s difficult to write about a subject that has so much information to pour over. George and Elizabeth Custer’s lives have been well covered in many publications, but in the book I’m working on I’m focusing on Elizabeth’s devotion to her husband. Today I’ve been reviewing George’s journal and all he had to share with his wife about the Plains Indians. Prior to working on this book I assumed he was completely unsympathetic towards Native Americans. I was surprised to learn how he felt about the Indians being forced onto reservations. “In making this change,” he wrote in 1869, “the Indian has to sacrifice all that is dear to his heart; he abandons the only mode of life in which he can be a warrior and win triumphs and honors worthy to be sought after; and in taking up the pursuits of the white man he does that which he has always been taught from his earliest infancy as degrading to his manhood – to labor, to work for his daily bread, an avocation suitable only for squaws.” History is fascinating! I received some good news from my editor today. Good news has been in short supply the last six years. Outlaw Tales of California and The Many Loves of Buffalo Bill were the #1 and #4 on Globe’s bestseller’s list last week. Seems like a good way to kick off the Christmas break. I’ll be back again soon with more news. Merry Christmas!