Children's Book Review: Custer's Last Battle by Paul Goble

Custer's Last Battle: Red Hawk's Account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn

Author: Paul Goble

Publisher: Wisdom Tales

Date: August 7, 2013






About the Author
Paul Goble is an award winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has won both the Caldecott Medal and The Library of Congress' Children's Book of the Year Award. To date, Mr. Goble has illustrated over 30 books. He has given his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.

Custer's Last Stand From An Indian's Perspective
This book is a special edition of Mr. Goble's first book, "Red Hawk's Account of Custer's Last Battle." The account given in this book is fiction, but told in the manner of the published accounts of Indian people who had taken part in the battle. This edition features the illustrations in beautiful digitized color, scanned from the original artwork housed among the collections in the South Dakota Art Museum. This new edition includes a Foreword by Joe Medicine Crow, a 98-year-old former Crow tribal historian whose grandfather was one of Custer's own scouts.

The story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn is told from the Indian's point-of-view in a manner that children will understand. The color illustrations are outstanding. Children will gain a new understanding of this famous battle from the simple text and detailed illustrations in this book.

My Thoughts
I have been a fan of Paul Goble's work for many years. He truly makes history come alive with his authentic writing and dazzling illustrations.

I think children are interested in reading about Native Americans. They have viewed many "cowboys and Indians" movies on television. Many of the old westerns portray the white soldiers as the "good guys" and the Indians as the enemy.

Mr. Goble does not "sugar-coat" the story of this battle. War is hell and this battle was no exception. Many men and animals suffered and died on the day of "Custer's last stand". 

Children will understand that the Indians were fighting to protect their families, herds and land. This is a sad chapter in American history but the truth needs to be told.

Most of the books listed in the "References" section at the end of the book are no longer in print. This list needs to be revised and updated to include books that have been published in recent years.

This book will make an excellent addition to public, school and home libraries.
Recommended for children ages 8 and up.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary hardcover copy of this book from the publisher.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Fractured Life of 3743

Native American Rob Cabitto writes a memoir about his life of abuse, molestation, abandonment and addiction. "The Fractured Life of 3743" is a story of redemption and recovery.

The author does an amazing job sharing the emotional and traumatic events of his past. He is now anxious to help others who find themselves dealing with similar situations. 



About the Author
Rob Cabitto is a Native American Indian from the Karuk Tribe, and 3743, his tribal roll number, identifies his Native blood and heritage.

Rob is Founder and CEO of Nine Mile Communications Inc., which provides installation services for data and telecommunication equipment covering North America. Rob received his B.S. in Business Marketing from the University of Phoenix and an M.B.A. from the New York Institute of Technology. Rob also holds many specialty certificates in Data Networking, Data Storage, Telecommunications and Network Design.

A Childhood From Hell
Rob Cabitto is a Karuk Indian from northern California. The tribe has a rich history in basket weaving and fishing. Rob had nine biological brothers and sisters. One of Rob's first memories is his alcoholic biological father pouring gasoline on him and trying to set him on fire. Rob was four years old.

Rob's biological mother and father were both alcoholics. He and his siblings were taken from their parents and placed in foster homes at a young age. Rob was legally adopted when he was nine-years-old.

Unfortunately, his adoptive father suffered major health problems and his adoptive mother had a difficult time adjusting to the responsibilities of the family. Rob felt like he was pretty much on his own and soon became hooked on alcohol and drugs. He was also sexually molested during this time by the older sister of a friend.

Over the years, Rob was homeless, spent time in jail and was involved in many dysfunctional relationships with women. He eventually had a desire to get back to his Native American roots and reconnect with his family, tribe and spirit.

Healing and Fresh Starts
Rob always had a love of reading and a desire to get a good education. He sought help in recovery programs, with counselors and with tribal Medicine Men and Native American spiritual guides.

He was able to earn a graduate business degree and start his own technology company. More importantly, he has taken great strides in healing his fractured heart and emotions.

My Thoughts
This is a very compelling true story that includes many heart-wrenching details. It is so sad to learn that children have to live in circumstances like the ones described in this book.

The good news is that Rob Cabbito is a survivor and an over comer. He has pulled himself up out of the pit of addiction and is now living a successful life. He is also determined to help others overcome addiction and dysfunctional living.

I was very interested in this book because I have read very little about the modern day challenges of Native Americans. I found this book very informative about the Native American customs and rituals. Rob found healing when he went back to his roots and took pride in his heritage. This book is not for everyone, but I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in addiction and recovery issues. This book will open your eyes to the problems in the Native American culture and inspire you to confront your own emotional demons.

This book is available in paperback editions from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is also available as a Kindle book from Amazon.

Book Giveaway
I would love to pass my review copy of this book on to one of my readers. If you feel like you could benefit from reading Rob's story, please send me a brief email at fullerjanette@gmail.com. I will read your emails and choose a winner based on your comment. These comments will remain private and will not be posted on this blog. I will ship the book to you at my expense.

FYI ~ I received a free preview paperback copy of "The Fractured Life of 3743" from Rob Cabitto's book publicist. Thank you to Rachel M. Anderson of RMA Publicity!

Please share your thought in the Comment Section below.

Columbus Day Controversy

Today is Columbus Day in the United States.  Columbus Day first became a federal holiday in 1937.  This holiday celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.

Columbus was an Italian explorer who belived the world was round instead of flat.  He was looking for a shorter trade route to the Indies and was funded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.  He sailed three ships across the Atlantic Ocean and landed in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492.  Thinking he had reached the Indies, he named the natives "Indians" and took possession for the Spanish crown.

Over the past decade, a growing number of activists have been protesting the celebration of Columbus Day in the Americas.  The introduction of the Europeans into the Native American cultures led to destruction and death. The population of European peoples in the Americas grew steadily, while the number of the Native Americans plummeted. European diseases such as smallpox, influenza, bubonic plague and pneumonic plagues devastated the previously isolated Native Americans. Conflict and outright warfare with European newcomers and other American tribes reduced populations and disrupted traditional society. The extent and causes of the decline have long been a subject of academic debate, along with its possible characterization as a genocide.  Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group.

I remember the cute rhyme about Columbus that we learned in elementary school;

In 1492,
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

With three ships he called by name,

The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria.

Today, is a time to think about what really happened when the Europeans "discovered" America.