Reviews
"A fine book . . .. Gray gives us the whole story in an integrated package . . .. In the twenty-two chapters that comprise the background and the campaign narrative, the author is at his best when he moves away from the Washington scene to detail the field operations. But it is the second part of the book - seven chapters labeled "facets" - that moves Centennial Campaign into the realm of the exceptional. Here Dr. Gray combines impressive research, careful analysis, and sound deduction to reconstruct Indian movements, locations, and concentrations." --- Western Historical Quarterly, "I have no hesitation in labeling this the best single volume ever published on the Custer Battle and the Sioux War of 1876." - Robert M. Utley, "A fine book . . .. Gray gives us the whole story in an integrated package . . .. In the twenty-two chapters that comprise the background and the campaign narrative, the author is at his best when he moves away from the Washington scene to detail the field operations. But it is the second part of the book - seven chapters labeled "facets" - that moves Centennial Campaign into the realm of the exceptional. Here Dr. Gray combines impressive research, careful analysis, and sound deduction to reconstruct Indian movements, locations, and concentrations." - Western Historical Quarterly, "In his soundly documented and absorbing book John Gray manages with cumulative power what few have attempted: a total view of the U.S. Army campaign against the Sioux in 1976 - that strange wilderness war whose centerpiece was the Custer 'massacre.' There's no nonsense here, no romantic pseudo-history. Gray uses authentic sources with critical insight, calls his shots clearly and bluntly." - Publishers Weekly, "[Gray's] views are occasionally controversial, but are based on a careful consideration of the primary material. By avoiding the many garbled secondary accounts, he brings some fresh insights to the issues. A series of good maps helps the reader follow campaign activity. This is a thoughtful study of a tragic, unnecessary war." - Roger L. Nichols , Journal of American History, "In his soundly documented and absorbing book John Gray manages with cumulative power what few have attempted: a total view of the U.S. Army campaign against the Sioux in 1976 - that strange wilderness war whose centerpiece was the Custer 'massacre.' There's no nonsense here, no romantic pseudo-history. Gray uses authentic sources with critical insight, calls his shots clearly and bluntly." - Publishers Weekly, "I have no hesitation in labeling this the best single volume ever published on the Custer Battle and the Sioux War of 1876." --- Robert M. Utley, "In his soundly documented and absorbing book John Gray manages with cumulative power what few have attempted: a total view of the U.S. Army campaign against the Sioux in 1976 - that strange wilderness war whose centerpiece was the Custer 'massacre.' There's no nonsense here, no romantic pseudo-history. Gray uses authentic sources with critical insight, calls his shots clearly and bluntly." --- Publishers Weekly, "[Gray's] views are occasionally controversial, but are based on a careful consideration of the primary material. By avoiding the many garbled secondary accounts, he brings some fresh insights to the issues. A series of good maps helps the reader follow campaign activity. This is a thoughtful study of a tragic, unnecessary war." --- Roger L. Nichols , Journal of American History
