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Bugles in the Afternoon
From back cover:
The is the big novel of the war for the west. Here are frontier men and their women, caught up in the raging passions of the day, living hard and dying violently. Here is the gusty excitement of those crucial years when the Sioux nation made its heroic and desperate last stand against the westward drive of American empire.
The is the big novel of the war for the west. Here are frontier men and their women, caught up in the raging passions of the day, living hard and dying violently. Here is the gusty excitement of those crucial years when the Sioux nation made its heroic and desperate last stand against the westward drive of American empire.
375 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1943
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 8, 2019
I came across this old book and noticed one on my fellow Goodreaders gave it five stars. I don’t normally read westerns but this story was actually pretty good. It was first published in the 1940s but you would never know it. The writing was descriptive: it was atmospheric with a deep sense of place. I came to care about Josephine and Kern and wanted only good things for them.
March 21, 2012
Let me start this review with a disclaimer. I do not read Westerns, ever. However, this was my father's favorite book, and I got curious as to why so I decided to give it a try. Believe it or not, I'm glad I did. Not that I've become a Western fan, in fact I will probably never read another one. Nothing against the genre, it's just not my thing. However, I did make a discovery.
Ernest Haycox was a very good writer.
The book relays a vivid picture of the reality of what it would have been like to live in the Old West. Really, you can almost feel the research that must have gone into this book. It begins with a description of a stagecoach ride where you can almost feel how uncomfortable it would have been. Think mountain bike ride without shock absorbers and being in constant fear of turning over. However, the point he really pulls you in is when a Sioux is seen in the distance. He looks at the stagecoach then pretends to shoot an arrow at them. However, the driver is not overly concerned. Winter is coming on, the Sioux are heading to the reservation so there won't be any trouble. Yet.
Bugles In The Afternoon consists of two plots, one fictional one factual intersecting and both are compelling. The fictional plot involves the conflict between Kern Shafter, a man of mystery who has enlisted in the 7th Calvary as a private, and Edward Garnett an officer of dubious reputation and uncertain character. These two have a past together and Haycox skillfully guides you through the events that turned what had been the best of friends into the bitterest of enemies without being cliche about it. This situation is only made worse when both men manage to fall in love with the same woman. I know it sounds cheesy, but Haycock manages to make you care about all people involved in this romantic triangle, even the bad guy.
The secondary plot, I just can't call it a sub-plot it's too good for that, relates the events that led up to The Battle of the Little Big Horn. Anyone who knows history knows what's going to happen, but the story of how they got there is fascinating and inevitable. Of course the central character has to be George Armstrong Custer. Without making judgments the author paints a picture of a man who peaked too soon in his career and spent the rest of his life trying to recover what he saw as his lost glory. This fatal focus causes him to inspire blind devotion by some under his command while others doubt his competency and anticipate the disaster that is to come.
Also I was impressed by the depiction of the Sioux in the story. Although not represented by a major character they are imperative to the plot, and the author treats them with respect. Surprising for a book that was written in 1943. In the book the military recognizes the Sioux have been wronged by the U.S. government, but there is a nation to be built and they are in the way. For their part the Sioux are determined to protect their sacred lands and are not backing down. Haycock does not tell this story as a battle between good and evil, but of two cultures with opposing viewpoints violently colliding with catastrophic results ultimately for both. The depiction of the battle, mostly from Major Reno's part in it, is not sugarcoated but not overly graphic, and the fictional plot is resolved in a logical manner, but with few surprises. If like me Westerns are not your genre think of Bugles in the Afternoon as a Historical novel. It is well researched and entertaining by a great writer who knew his stuff. What could be better than that?
Ernest Haycox was a very good writer.
The book relays a vivid picture of the reality of what it would have been like to live in the Old West. Really, you can almost feel the research that must have gone into this book. It begins with a description of a stagecoach ride where you can almost feel how uncomfortable it would have been. Think mountain bike ride without shock absorbers and being in constant fear of turning over. However, the point he really pulls you in is when a Sioux is seen in the distance. He looks at the stagecoach then pretends to shoot an arrow at them. However, the driver is not overly concerned. Winter is coming on, the Sioux are heading to the reservation so there won't be any trouble. Yet.
Bugles In The Afternoon consists of two plots, one fictional one factual intersecting and both are compelling. The fictional plot involves the conflict between Kern Shafter, a man of mystery who has enlisted in the 7th Calvary as a private, and Edward Garnett an officer of dubious reputation and uncertain character. These two have a past together and Haycox skillfully guides you through the events that turned what had been the best of friends into the bitterest of enemies without being cliche about it. This situation is only made worse when both men manage to fall in love with the same woman. I know it sounds cheesy, but Haycock manages to make you care about all people involved in this romantic triangle, even the bad guy.
The secondary plot, I just can't call it a sub-plot it's too good for that, relates the events that led up to The Battle of the Little Big Horn. Anyone who knows history knows what's going to happen, but the story of how they got there is fascinating and inevitable. Of course the central character has to be George Armstrong Custer. Without making judgments the author paints a picture of a man who peaked too soon in his career and spent the rest of his life trying to recover what he saw as his lost glory. This fatal focus causes him to inspire blind devotion by some under his command while others doubt his competency and anticipate the disaster that is to come.
Also I was impressed by the depiction of the Sioux in the story. Although not represented by a major character they are imperative to the plot, and the author treats them with respect. Surprising for a book that was written in 1943. In the book the military recognizes the Sioux have been wronged by the U.S. government, but there is a nation to be built and they are in the way. For their part the Sioux are determined to protect their sacred lands and are not backing down. Haycock does not tell this story as a battle between good and evil, but of two cultures with opposing viewpoints violently colliding with catastrophic results ultimately for both. The depiction of the battle, mostly from Major Reno's part in it, is not sugarcoated but not overly graphic, and the fictional plot is resolved in a logical manner, but with few surprises. If like me Westerns are not your genre think of Bugles in the Afternoon as a Historical novel. It is well researched and entertaining by a great writer who knew his stuff. What could be better than that?
March 10, 2023
Ever since I saw Ray Milland be sensationally stripped of his rank as a cavalry officer in the opening of the 1950s film of 'Bugles in the Afternoon' I have been fascinated with the tale. I am sure I had this edition of this comic when I was young and here it is again, found at a car boot sale.
Lieutenant Kern Shafter is disgraced at the beginning after being found guilty by court martial of insubordination to an officer and he departs the army.
However, he decides to re-join the army 10 years later and he finds his way to Fort Abraham Lincoln where the famous Seventh Cavalry were stationed. En route he befriends an attractive young woman, Jospehine Russell.
As the story unfolds he meets up with soldiers from his past and between them they decide to make his life a misery, particularly after he was made a sergeant after just one day with the Seventh. After a series of thrilling events he is eventually accepted and sets out with the Seventh and their legendary leader George Custer to fight the Red Indians.
There are desperate events leading up to Custer's decision to attack the Indians at the Little Big Horn river. And it ends in disaster (as we all know) but fortunately Shafter is sent elsewhere and escapes the carnage. In addition he is pardoned for his supposed earlier misdemeanours, courts Josephine and ends up in her arms; he had found contentment and knew that he had been right in enlisting in the Seventh Cavalry although he did have flashbacks to Custer's last stand.
The book brought back happy childhood memories and was an exciting and enjoyable read ... I'll have to revisit the film now.
Lieutenant Kern Shafter is disgraced at the beginning after being found guilty by court martial of insubordination to an officer and he departs the army.
However, he decides to re-join the army 10 years later and he finds his way to Fort Abraham Lincoln where the famous Seventh Cavalry were stationed. En route he befriends an attractive young woman, Jospehine Russell.
As the story unfolds he meets up with soldiers from his past and between them they decide to make his life a misery, particularly after he was made a sergeant after just one day with the Seventh. After a series of thrilling events he is eventually accepted and sets out with the Seventh and their legendary leader George Custer to fight the Red Indians.
There are desperate events leading up to Custer's decision to attack the Indians at the Little Big Horn river. And it ends in disaster (as we all know) but fortunately Shafter is sent elsewhere and escapes the carnage. In addition he is pardoned for his supposed earlier misdemeanours, courts Josephine and ends up in her arms; he had found contentment and knew that he had been right in enlisting in the Seventh Cavalry although he did have flashbacks to Custer's last stand.
The book brought back happy childhood memories and was an exciting and enjoyable read ... I'll have to revisit the film now.
March 13, 2015
Bueno, y ¿qué puedo decir de este libro?... Cada vez me gusta más esta colección, cada vez disfruto más con este tipo de obras que me cuentan historias, historias mucho más complicadas y reales, interesantes y divertidas que un montón de basurillas modernas "super profundas" y "llenas de oculto significado"... Correctamente escrito, narra una compleja historia de desamor, de aventuras, de honor y de tragedia, y rememora con rigor histórico la "cagada" de Custer ante los sioux...
Se me cae la baba pensando en el próximo número de la colección Frontera.
Se me cae la baba pensando en el próximo número de la colección Frontera.
April 12, 2022
Este libro pretende novelar y explicar uno de esos hechos tan icónicos en la exigua historia de los EEUU: la batalla en la que el general Custer y su séptimo de caballería fueron borrados del mapa en la batalla de Little Big Horn por una coalición temporal de indios sioux, que hartos de los abusos y mentiras del gobierno americano, quiso morir matando. Un último acto de orgullo, que no evitaría y aceleraría su desaparición como pueblo y raza.
Y el libro explica perfectamente cómo un Custer mediático, quería más protagonismo, se saltó el plan de batalla, lo que unido a su desastrosa planificación y su fe ciega en la superioridad de su ejército, llevó a todo su regimiento a una verdadera masacre. Cuántas veces se habrá visto ésto a lo largo de la historia.
Pero en realidad, el hilo conductor de esta novela es la relación de odio visceral entre dos miembros del séptimo de caballería, que van arrastrando su tortuosa relación a través del tiempo y el territorio. Una especie de "los duelistas" de casaca azul.
Y la causa de estas rencillas son las mujeres. Y aquí el autor es donde pierde el pie. Para el lector del S. XXI, resulta muy bochornoso leer cómo se describe a la mujer y sus comportamientos. No me extenderé, porque el compendio de todas daría para sentar las bases de otro partido de ultraderecha.
Y tampoco diré nada del también sonrojante final made in Hollywood.
El resto puede ser una buena forma de descubrir una época y unos hechos.
Y ya está bien por hoy, que se me enfría el bacon que tengo en el fuego y tengo que ablandar el trozo duro de galleta con el que lo acompañaré para desayunar.
Y el libro explica perfectamente cómo un Custer mediático, quería más protagonismo, se saltó el plan de batalla, lo que unido a su desastrosa planificación y su fe ciega en la superioridad de su ejército, llevó a todo su regimiento a una verdadera masacre. Cuántas veces se habrá visto ésto a lo largo de la historia.
Pero en realidad, el hilo conductor de esta novela es la relación de odio visceral entre dos miembros del séptimo de caballería, que van arrastrando su tortuosa relación a través del tiempo y el territorio. Una especie de "los duelistas" de casaca azul.
Y la causa de estas rencillas son las mujeres. Y aquí el autor es donde pierde el pie. Para el lector del S. XXI, resulta muy bochornoso leer cómo se describe a la mujer y sus comportamientos. No me extenderé, porque el compendio de todas daría para sentar las bases de otro partido de ultraderecha.
Y tampoco diré nada del también sonrojante final made in Hollywood.
El resto puede ser una buena forma de descubrir una época y unos hechos.
Y ya está bien por hoy, que se me enfría el bacon que tengo en el fuego y tengo que ablandar el trozo duro de galleta con el que lo acompañaré para desayunar.
March 18, 2020
Otra gran novela de la colección Frontera de Valdemar. Y eso que no las tenía todas conmigo. Eso de leer sobre Custer y su séptimo de caballería no me atraía mucho de antemano, pero fue empezar y caer rendido ante la historia que nos cuenta. La historia de un hombre, Kern Shafter, hombre culto, introspectivo, que huye de todo y que va al único sitio que conoce en el que se encuentra a gusto, donde todo es simple y no tiene mucho en lo que pensar: el ejército. Pero antes de alistarse Haycox nos regala unos primeros capítulos magníficos que nos relatan el cómo se llegaba a la última frontera, en una diligencia con rutas interminables por paisajes agrestes con unas simples paradas en cantinas perdidas de la mano de dios y con más personajes rudos.
Una vez en el regimiento se nos relata el día a día, con esos inviernos sin saber qué hacer muertos de aburrimiento donde el alcohol, las cartas y las peleas parecen ser los únicos divertimentos. Todo ello aderezado con una historia de amor, odio y finalmente tragedia, extremedamente bien escrita donde sientes el silbido de las balas y el asedio que experimentaron.
Un 8,5
Una vez en el regimiento se nos relata el día a día, con esos inviernos sin saber qué hacer muertos de aburrimiento donde el alcohol, las cartas y las peleas parecen ser los únicos divertimentos. Todo ello aderezado con una historia de amor, odio y finalmente tragedia, extremedamente bien escrita donde sientes el silbido de las balas y el asedio que experimentaron.
Un 8,5
May 2, 2021
While this book had its flaws it was interesting to read. It was a little weird in that it spent most of the book focused on a (fictional?) romance and only gave a small portion of the story to Custer's Last Stand even though it seemed like that was the cornerstone of the book, but maybe it was meant to be like that. Perhaps more of a romantic western than historical fiction. Reading about the portrayal of Native Americans, in particular the Sioux, was fascinating and brought me straight back to the lessons I learned in A.P. U.S. History, Howard Zinn, etc. While some of the writing lent itself to a sympathetic view of the natives' plight, most of the descriptions of the natives were overtly prejudiced toward the "savage" and "barbaric" tones contrasted with the "civilized" white man and several pages of this book could've been highlighted as great examples for the APUSH textbooks.
I thought overall the plot of the book was pretty well done and though some of the dialogue, especially in the romance sections was a little awkward or unrealistic, for the most part it worked.
I thought overall the plot of the book was pretty well done and though some of the dialogue, especially in the romance sections was a little awkward or unrealistic, for the most part it worked.
December 22, 2023
Ernest Haycox presents an enjoyable story here set in the American West of the 1870s and specifically in the context of the U.S. 7th Cavalry facing off under George Armstrong Custer against the Sioux and Cheyenne at the Little Bighorn. The main story is about a man who is seeking to regain something he lost years earlier in an unfortunate encounter and clash over a woman with another officer. Here his plan to at least regain the Army life that he finds appealing actually brings him again into contact with that same officer but also a new woman whom they both find attractive. So lots of discussion of the various personalities and how they line up against the background of hard living on the frontier of the mid-1870s. Much of the Army life depicted may seem familiar to fans of John Ford's Cavalry films and this in fact was made into a film in 1952. I very much enjoyed the story and the characters and the battle sequences as the story climaxes at the Little Big Horn are first rate.
March 10, 2023
Before writing this review, I must say the 1952 adaptation of this book for a movie was absolutely terrible. Don’t waste your time watching it! The novel itself is set around the lead up to and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The best part of the story follows the well written relationship between the main character, his hated rival, and a strong woman. Good character development throughout. A but too much time is spent in the latter 1/3 of the book on details of the campaign against the Sioux & Cheyanne. Becomes too much of a history text and loses some of the allure of the original story. Having stated that flaw, it is a worthwhile read. I actually read the original version, without Richard Etilain’s historical commentary.
September 24, 2023
A different look at Custer
I first met this story in movie form. For years after that I looked for the book the movie was based on. Now I have read the story and was amazed at how much the movie follows the book. It is a different look at the Battle of the Little Big horn in that the story doesn't revolve around Custer as it does the men of the 7th Calvary. In a way for me this is also a story of a man coming to terms with his past and a hurt done to him. Also this isn't the same old shoot em and the same old rodeo that a lot of western are, but don't worry there is a great fight scene toward the end of the book. I had only one problem this book and that was a typo that showed up over and over in the book. Somehow the word warning was misspelled throughout the book.
I first met this story in movie form. For years after that I looked for the book the movie was based on. Now I have read the story and was amazed at how much the movie follows the book. It is a different look at the Battle of the Little Big horn in that the story doesn't revolve around Custer as it does the men of the 7th Calvary. In a way for me this is also a story of a man coming to terms with his past and a hurt done to him. Also this isn't the same old shoot em and the same old rodeo that a lot of western are, but don't worry there is a great fight scene toward the end of the book. I had only one problem this book and that was a typo that showed up over and over in the book. Somehow the word warning was misspelled throughout the book.
November 14, 2021
Excelente historia, con unas descripciones soberbias. Es el enfrentamiento entre dos hombres, anteriormente amigos, por culpa de una mujer. Años mas tarde se encuentran y se enamoran de la misma mujer. Ambos son soldados del Séptimo de Caballería, y el General George Armstrong Custer se dirige a encontrar su destino en la ribera del Little Big Horn. La novela describe la batalla desde la columna del mayor Reno. Destacar la solución que da al enfrentamiento entre los dos soldados. Muy recomendable
August 7, 2020
This is an old book that tells of Custer defeat at the battle of Little Big Horn. It is told from the soldier point of view. It is a moving story that left me sad. There is a love story woven through the book. I would recommend this book to kids from 13 to 104. It will make you appreciate History more.
December 24, 2020
Very well written descriptive novel of the failure of George Custer to achieve the fame that he thought was his to own and the personal hardship he created for those in his command. The story revolves around one man, a former lieutenant in the Confederate army and his involvement with the Seventh Regiment when he reenlists and meets a women traveler on his way to Fort Lincoln.
March 22, 2025
I Really enjoyed this story, it gives a very interesting insight into the daily lives of the cavalry soldiers on the frontier during the Indian wars. It builds up the tension towards the battle of the Little Big Horn very well and describes it from the viewpoint of Major Reno's command which surprised me.
August 27, 2025
Ernest Haycox was a great writer of westerns. The background of this one was the Little Big Horn. The foreground is a jealousy-driven relationship between a cashiered officer turned enlisted man and a petty vainglorious officer who placed his men in needless peril. It was turned into a pretty good movie
January 14, 2019
More of a historical novel than a typical western. Haycox wrote well and definitely did his research for this book – the sections dealing with life on a western army post are particularly good. The Battle of the Little Big Horn will always be controversial, but his view of it seems reasonable.
October 26, 2021
Not Haycox at the top of his game, but still a very good book. I liked the very interior view of Custer's last stand in the last half of the novel, as well as the details of 19th century post Civil war army life.
April 7, 2025
Excepcional. No le doy las cinco estrellas, simplemente, porque la trama se centra totalmente en el Séptimo de caballería. Los western me apasionan cuando tratan sobre la cultura india, cuatreros o pistoleros. El ejército me llama menos. Pero eso es algo subjetivo. El libro es muy bueno.
October 23, 2021
Well written and entertaining book on Custer’s last stand.
May 27, 2024
No me gusta la temática castrense de la caballería.
September 15, 2014
Des années que j'attendais ce genre d'ouvrage ! Pour ma part je ne suis pas déçu. C'est un vrai roman mêlant aventure, amour et… le 7eme de cavalerie ! Les personnages sont vraiment attachants, totalement imparfaits comme on les aime ! Seul bémol, mais, à mon goût, car je ne constate pas d'autres critiques autour de moi à ce sujet. Je n'aime pas la traduction de l'ouvrage. Il y a des répétitions, des incohérences même parfois et des termes militaires à mon avis, inappropriés. (Du genre : "sonnez la retraite" à la fin de la journée, lorsqu'on baisse le drapeau.) Bon, je ne suis pas un expert non plus et je suis tellement content que ce genre d'ouvrage voit le jour que je passe allègrement sur ce genre de mini problème. En outre, aucun doute que le style de l'auteur y soit aussi pour quelque chose. Mais on dépasse largement ces défauts pour plonger dans l'histoire et suivre finalement les étapes qui ont mené à Little Big Horn. Incontournable. Titre en français : Des clairons dans l'après-midi
August 30, 2015
Lots of interesting info about the road to Little Bighorn Battle in the character of Geo. A. Custer. Every interesting coverage of this historic battle seems to find a new way to address the battle and attitudes of the main participants and this book in no exception. This book is from a serial in the Saturday Evening Post and plays heavily on the romance of the people who were not really participants. It is still engrossing and good reading.
September 2, 2014
Very good western which details the events that lead up to Custer's Last Stand. Civil war hero who has been wronged rejoins the army to take revenge upon the scalawag that shamed his betrothed. Recommended.
March 24, 2015
Ambivalencia. La hombría a puñetazos en el bar o la manera ñoña de describir relaciones (muy de los 50) juegan en contra. La sensación de encontrarse en el límite, en medio de una nada hostil, es sobresaliente.
December 30, 2016
This was not a book about the battle of Little Bighorn. It was a western romance novel with 15 percent involving Custer and his failings, Very mushy for me. Perhaps if you like romance novels, you might give it 5 stars, An easy fast read.
April 19, 2008
A Civil War veteran signs up with the 7th Cavalry and finds himself at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
January 15, 2009
The Story of Custer's last stand told in different way.
December 4, 2011
Haycox is probably my favorite western genre author and the love triangle that figures in this book is done in a much more adult way than most westerns.
April 15, 2022
OK western novel about Custer fight, etc. Have not seen the movie.
May 15, 2016
A great story, beautifully written and engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews