T. J. Stiles' 'Custer’s Trials' offers a nuanced portrayal of George Armstrong Custer, framing his life within the broader context of 19th-century America's transformation. The book highlights Custer's complex personality, his romanticized view of war, and his struggle to adapt to modernity, while also providing a vivid depiction of his wife Libbie and their complicated relationship with their household's enslaved manager, Eliza Brown.
T. J. Stiles' 'Custer’s Trials' delves into the life of George Armstrong Custer, presenting a fresh perspective by situating his story within the tumultuous period of the Civil War and Reconstruction. This approach allows Stiles to explore Custer's multifaceted character, his romanticized and sometimes contradictory views on war, and his inability to fully adapt to the modernizing world around him. The book also shines a light on Libbie Custer, offering a three-dimensional portrayal of her as a highly educated and tough individual who managed her own complexities while supporting her husband's career. The relationship between the Custers and Eliza Brown, the escaped slave who managed their household, adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the appalling views held by both Custers. Stiles' decision to avoid a detailed description of the Battle of Little Bighorn is notable, as it shifts the focus to the broader impact and mystery surrounding the event.
Quick quotes
The idea of a historical period being apocalyptic fascinates me, because that’s exactly how I see the United States in the mid-nineteenth century.
Custer was flamboyant, and that’s a problematic concept for us today.
Libbie’s writing about her complicated, often tense, sometimes mutually supportive relationship with Eliza brought a kind of literary depth to the story that I relished as a writer.