The Other Custers: Tom, Boston, Nevin, and Maggie in the Shadow of George Armstrong Custer

by Bill Yenne

Not one, not two, but three Custer brothers died at the Little Bighorn—and so did their only sister's husband. Most do not realize that not one, not two, but three Custer brothers died with the 7th Cavalry at the hands of the Sioux and Cheyenne at Little Bighorn in 1876. So too did their nephew and the husband of their only sister. Less than half the immediate Custer family would survive the massacre. This is their story. This book is a must for all those interested in the enduring Custer legend. Where other Custer literature focuses solely on George Armstrong, The Other Custers is the only volume to explore the lives of the Custer siblings in depth. War hero Tom Custer earned two Medals of Honor during the Civil War before riding into the West with his brother. There was the bashful and enigmatic Nevin Custer, and the young Boston Custer, whose one desire in life was to share the adventures of his idolized older brothers. Margaret Custer married into the 7th Cavalry and was widowed at twenty-four when her husband, James Calhoun, was among the dead at the Little Bighorn. The Other Custers traces the upbringing of the family and follows Nevin and Margaret as they carried the Custer name beyond Little Bighorn. The book also uncovers much more detail about the ancestors and descendants of the Custer siblings than is to be found in other Custer biographies.

Genres: Biography, American History, History, Nonfiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2018

About the author

Bill Yenne is the author of several novels and over three dozen books on historical topics. He has also been a contributor to encyclopedias of both world wars.

The New Yorker wrote of Sitting Bull, his biography of the great Lakota leader, that it "excels as a study in leadership." This book was named to the number 14 spot among Amazon's 100 Best Books of the Year.

Library Journal observed that "enthusiastic World War II readers will be drawn to" his dual biography, Aces High: The Heroic Story of the Two Top Scoring American Aces of World War II.

Recently, his book Convair Deltas was named as Book of the Month by Air Classics, while his book Tommy Gun was named Pick of the Month by Shooting Illustrated.

His book Guinness: The 250 Year Quest for the Perfect Pint was listed among the top business books of the year by Cond Nast Portfolio Magazine, which rated Yenne's tome as its TOP pick for "Cocktail Conversation."

Yenne's Rising Sons: The Japanese American GIs Who Fought for the United States in World War II, was praised by Walter Boyne, former Director of the National Air & Space Museum, who called it "a fast moving... page turner," and the "best book yet written on the saga."

The Wall Street Journal wrote, when reviewing his Indian Wars: The Campaign for the American West, that Yenne writes with "cinematic vividness," and says of his work that it "has the rare quality of being both an excellent reference work and a pleasure to read."

The author lives in San Francisco, California, and on the web at www.BillYenne.com

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Reviews

[Wayne Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

There has been a lot of books regarding George Custer especially with the Battle of Little Big Horn so I was curious about a book regarding the other Custers related to George. Although the author states that this is a book will not focus on George, it was difficult to do as the Custer Family was quite close and interacted constantly.

This is a story of George and his military career.
Nevin - The only brother who did not join Autie in the Military or Travel West. The only Custer to have children
Tom - who had a much more remarkable Civil War Career Than George. Died at Little Big Horn
Margaret Calhond - who's husband ventured out West and he Died at Little Big Horn
Boston - the youngest and a civilian contractor - who died at Little Big Horn

It is not fully detailed on every event but a general overview of the Custer family.
They were quite practical jokers.....And enjoyed their togetherness

[Michael Duchaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author states in the beginning his intention to not focus on George Armstrong Custer, but that's not totally true. That's because you learn just how close the Custer family was and how devoted the younger brothers were to George. It's hard today to comprehend just how much of a rock star The Boy General was. It's even harder to understand knowing his brother was a recipient of the nation's highest award for valor - the Medal of Honor - not once, but twice!

More than likely you know their fate before reading this. I did and yet I found myself hoping for a different outcome as I approached the ending.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Informative and an Excellent background on the lives of the Custer brothers and surviving family members . It really gives you unprecedented insight into the background and thinking of George Armstrong Custer during the Civil war and leading up to the Battle that took his heroic life . I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants more information or just to fill in the blanks of a life well lived .

[Al Lock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. It makes an effort to focus on the family of George Armstrong Custer - not just the brothers and sisters, but the parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews and in-laws. In fact, all the people who would end up in that extended group known as the Custer clan. It is an interesting story, definitely told from a Custer perspective. Worth reading.

[Dixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I liked Custer, but didn't quite understand the why of him going to that fateful day. this helped a lot and I had no idea about this brother's and all his relatives that were killed that day either. a real shame.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

And, they're still in the shadow of their brother. Very little about the siblings, other than Tom and even that info is very surfaced based.
Maggie and Nevin are mostly afterthoughts, which is disappointing, as they both lived long lives after the loss of their loved ones.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually I would give it a 2.5 if I could, but not a 3. It was ok, nothing special. I've read so many books about Custer I think they are making me numb. Still fascinated by the history of it though.

[Tom Sells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family is important

Brothers enjoy being together. The Custer kids were brave and patriotic. It is a pleasure to be acquainted with the family and their contributions to the USA.