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Post by elisabeth on Apr 9, 2007 1:05:33 GMT -6
A post on another forum gives the welcome news that the 1903 manual, The Cavalry Horse and his Pack, by Jonathan Boniface, has now been reissued in paperback -- it's available from Amazon.
This book won't throw any light on our tactics discussions, but should at least fill in some of the background practicalities. Should be fascinating. Although it's post-LBH, I'd guess that much of what it prescribes is stuff that would have been common sense to any competent horseman in "our" 7th Cavalry ... Anyway, I've ordered a copy, and will report on whether or not it is useful for the likes of us.
On a more frivolous note: someone's also brought out a new two-volume paperback edition of Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dragoon! So anyone who wants to get a taste of the formative influences that shaped Custer, Keogh, et al. -- and enjoy a rollicking good yarn -- can now do so without having to scour the second-hand bookshops for some ancient and musty copy of it. Hooray!
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Post by Montana Bab on Apr 14, 2007 22:08:47 GMT -6
Elizabeth, I just spotted your post on this reprint, sounds like something I'm looking for. Thanks for the heads-up. Just purchased some books from Amazon, and was pleased with them. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg to "Book Up". Bab
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Post by Melani on Apr 24, 2007 0:44:05 GMT -6
Re: Charles O'Malley--I did a search a couple of years ago on bookfinder.com, and found that it was in continuous publication for 100 years, literally--1835 to 1935, and there are about a gazillion copies available in all price ranges. After some consideration, I selected a circa-1890 leather-covered edition in good condition, for which I paid the whopping sum of $8.00, plus shipping.
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Post by elisabeth on Apr 24, 2007 0:51:45 GMT -6
Congrats -- you did better than me! I bought a cloth-bound edition from, I think, 1903 or thereabouts for slightly more; but the print's so small that I could only read it with a magnifying glass in bright sunlight, which does rather hamper one's enjoyment. So I'm very pleased to have this new 2-volume edition. Much easier to read.
Hard work, though, Charles O'Malley. Even with this edition, I have to take a break every hour or so ... because I'm laughing so much that my face aches!
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Post by Scout on Apr 24, 2007 7:21:21 GMT -6
Bab...check out Alibris books at Alibris.com they are a book broker for used books and have tons of Custer Books starting at $2.95 and going up to $1000 for rare and signed books. I've gotten to the point where I have no problems with buying used books and if you want lots o' books this is the place! I've had really good service with them and you can't beat the prices. I very rarely buy off Amazon anymore.
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Post by Montana Bab on Apr 24, 2007 11:21:37 GMT -6
Thanks for the heads up, Scout. I have no qualms about buying used books as long as they are still presentable and readable. I just feel fortunate when I can find them at a reasonable price. I made my first purchases from Amazon, but I will check out the Alibris.com site. The libraries have some good books still available also, and they are pretty much free. The quandry I have is that I have not yet found an author that I completely believe. They ALL seem to have their leanings, theories, and agendas. Truth is, NO ONE knows the real truth about LBH and never will! So I'm somewhat of a skeptic. There are those on these boards that are so knowledgeable, and it doesn't take long to figure the ones who know what they are talking about. (I have my favorites!) And I have learned a lot . But you sure run into some cooky ideas, too. It's amusing.
Bab
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Post by Scout on Apr 24, 2007 18:17:47 GMT -6
Bab...well their are many you can 'trust' even they would admit to not knowing the real truth. I think the agenda for most is to present the truth but that, of course, always clashes with someone else's theories. Frustratin' ain't it?
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Post by Montana Bab on Apr 24, 2007 19:43:56 GMT -6
Scout, Name me a few authors that you 'trust'. You do make a good point in the theories 'clashing' with those who strive for the truth. Fortunately, there is one fellow I genuinely trust on these boards and have learned a great deal from him.
I was thinking earlier today how much Custer would enjoy these boards and the 'battles of words' that go on here. There seems to be something about military men. If they can't fight, they can definately argue. Bab
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Post by Scout on Apr 24, 2007 20:16:25 GMT -6
Well Bab as I said before book authors only give you their opinions based on hopefully, research, I find the use of the word 'trust' rather strange and out of place in talking about writers of books.
How do you arrive at mistrust? Bab, this whole Little Big Horn thing is based to a large degree on interpretation. Where does trust come in?
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Post by Montana Bab on Apr 25, 2007 0:28:30 GMT -6
Bab...well their are many you can 'trust' even they would admit to not knowing the real truth. I think the agenda for most is to present the truth but that, of course, always clashes with someone else's theories. Frustratin' ain't it? Scout, I was quoting you when I used the word 'trust' (see your post above). You make good common sense, and while it may be a misnomer to use the word 'trust' in relating to authors and their interpretations, it's the only word that fits my meaning. If I don't agree with their theories or interpretations, then I don't 'trust' them. The bad part of that is, you have to buy an author's book to get their interpretation or theory, and if you don't agree with it, you've wasted your money. No one ever accused me of being 'strange' before. My husband would thank you for that! Bab
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Post by Scout on Apr 25, 2007 7:23:45 GMT -6
Bab...I stand corrected on the trust wording. I was addressing your skepticism on who to 'believe' regarding LBH books. My advice, none and all. It's all piece mill I believe.
I've paid full price for a number of books and ended up saying to self, what was I thinking? I still can't believe I paid full price for the Billy Heath book. Add that one to your 'don't buy list.' And the recent so called Luce book which should have come with pictures and a box of crayons.
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Post by harpskiddie on Apr 25, 2007 10:32:00 GMT -6
Bab:
The best person to trust is yourself. My advice, for what it may be worth, is to use the books you read as pointers to the original sources, and get to those sources if you can - not the intermediate sources, but the originals. Too often you will find articles or entire books which cite only other articles or books as sources, rather than the original. It gives the author the air of accuracy and truth without having to back it up with actual "facts.'
Every writer of history has a tendency to put his own spin on things, even if he didn't start out that way - with an agenda. It is very difficult not to come to conclusions about people as you research and write about them, and that always will influence the final 'product' to one degree or another.
I keep repeating: find the evidence and let the evidence take you to the conclusion rather than starting off to prove a point and sifting through the evidence to find something to help you prove it. Too many writers start off with a preconceived idea of what happened and are bound and determined to get to that conclusion however arduous the journey. Some others want to, or have to, hang their hats on some new and startling theory, because that is the only way they can see to make a name for themselves. Or to sell their product.
When it comes to whom you can trust or believe, it all depends on your own point of view. Try to get back to the original sources yourself, so that if anyone ends up selling you a bill of goods, it will be you that both sold and bought it.
Don't believe me, either [at least so far as my theories go] - follow the evidence.
Gordie, paying tribute to our dead, with empty words we never said.........................................
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Post by Montana Bab on Apr 25, 2007 12:42:46 GMT -6
Without realizing it, that's just what I've been doing. Looking for authors who would substantiate MY pre-concieved notions of what happened. Thanks for the good advice, Gordie. Time to start over with an open mind.
Bab
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Post by harpskiddie on Apr 25, 2007 20:57:59 GMT -6
Bab:
Try Abebooks and also check the Custer auctions on EBay. You can usually find a gem or two on the latter, and sometimes a terrific bargain on the former [which has about everything you'd ever want, but couldn't afford]. I've bought about seventy or a hundred books on EBay in the past year at prices from 3.99 to 50.00 [and missed out on many more that I should have gone higher on].
Some day, when I have time, I'll PM you a list of the "necessities" from my point of view, most of which you probably already have.
Gordie, and he cries for the misery, and he sighs, seeking harmony............................................
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Post by Montana Bab on Apr 25, 2007 21:16:11 GMT -6
Gordie, (and Scout)
I deeply appreciate your advise. I guess I have been going about this the wrong way. I have been trying to compile all the information I could on the subject WITHOUT reading a bunch of books (I LOATH reading smaltzy stuff about Custer). I'll take your advise and try to approach the subject with a more open mind.
I really already have changed a lot of the things I believed about Custer, due mainly to the perspective from the military minds on these boards (selectively.)
Thank you BandB
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