Son of the Morning Star

Son of the Morning Star is a 1984 non-fiction book written by Evan S. Connell, on the subject of General George Armstrong Custer, with the subtitle 'Custer and the Little Bighorn'. A 1991 television film was based on the book. Both the book and the film chronicle the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the personalities involved, and the events leading up to and following it. Connell prior to the book's publication had written mostly fiction. Connell's book, which includes much of the history of the American West and the Indian Wars, was well received by critics and made the best-seller lists.

The film version also deals with the tactical errors and the equipment faults that led to the death of General Custer and the company of men with whom he died. While there were personality conflicts within Custer's command, the tactical errors he made were based on a career of expectations of the Native American actions in battle. Custer had always known the hit and run tactics of the plains tribes. With this experience, he deviated from the teachings of the military, and when faced with an overwhelming force he could not deal with the situation. The film also chronicles the incidents that led up to the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The story presents the view point of white people as narrated by Custer's wife, Libby, and the viewpoint of the tribes as narrated by a Native American woman called Kate Big Head.