"A debut historical novel from U.S. Marine Sumrall that retells the story of Custer's "Last Stand" in savage detail." - KIRKUS
"The way William Sumrall described the various scenes brought this adrenaline-pumping story to life. The coarse writing served to deliver more strength to the theme of the story and enable it to perfectly relate to the intended period." Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite
"The basic plot, despite its familiarity, is stunning and unforgettable as seen through the eyes of this author. Weird, yes, but Metal Storm: Weird Custer is very, very good, and it's most highly recommended." Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
"Metal Storm: Weird Custer by William H. Sumrall is historical fiction and gives the reader a totally different perspective on the events leading up to the Custer massacre. I have always been a fan of historical fiction. Mr. Sumrall's account is raw, violent and sad. He also spends a considerable amount of time and detail on Custer's wife, Libby." Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite
"William Sumrall takes the time to develop his own versions of the personalities and darkest thoughts of some of history's most interesting military figures. I particularly loved Libby Custer's slow decline from trapped proper lady to all out maniac." K.C. Finn for - Readers' Favorite
"In Metal Storm: Weird Custer, Sumrall shows himself to be an excellent writer who can describe both action and his characters’ internal struggles. He gives us some fascinating details about the Native Americans…Metal Storm: Weird Custer is a short book, but in that space Sumrall manages to give more of the feel of the Old West than other books do in three times its length."- Raanan Geberer for Readers' Favorite
If ever America had its Absalom, this tragic figure would have been personified in the character of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. This enigma of a man, killed at 36 years of age in an unprecedented disaster largely of his own making had risen to spectacular fame and glory when at the age of 23, he had been promoted to General during the Civil War.
This prodigal son of a blacksmith would not be denied his place in the sun with the Presidential Elections looming in November of 1876. A virtual shoo-in as the next President of the United States, he needed one last crowning achievement.
To the West, in the Montana Territory lay his Holy Grail, this Holy Grail was a multicellular sentient being, a living, breathing deadly object of the Boy General’s adoration. It was the Sioux Nation.
A Holy Man had risen among these tribes of the mountains and prairies. This Holy Man wore a grim face ravaged with the scars of small pox. Magic passed down from shaman to shaman during the course of thousands of years had brought together the largest conglomeration of Sioux Clans ever seen. Added to this were the Northern Cheyenne, and hodge podges of the other Nations, such as the Comanche.
Magic not seen in 30,000 years would be invoked – would have to be invoked – to stop the ambition blinded former General who intended to rule the world as an Emperor. Using his immediate family members as satraps, Custer would fulfill his obsession with becoming the next Alexander the Great.
Much has been made of the disaster that consumed the Custer element, much speculation and many contradicting images emerge.
The author has drawn from eye witness accounts. Most of the characters are rooted in history, but there are exceptions. METAL STORM is a historical fiction in which the author has studied the faces of the actors in the play in order to give realistic description. He has studied extensively the weapons used, and how they performed under extreme application.
Fact and fantasy have been melded together, in this Opus Magnus of the Weird West genre.
"The way William Sumrall described the various scenes brought this adrenaline-pumping story to life. The coarse writing served to deliver more strength to the theme of the story and enable it to perfectly relate to the intended period." Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite
"The basic plot, despite its familiarity, is stunning and unforgettable as seen through the eyes of this author. Weird, yes, but Metal Storm: Weird Custer is very, very good, and it's most highly recommended." Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
"Metal Storm: Weird Custer by William H. Sumrall is historical fiction and gives the reader a totally different perspective on the events leading up to the Custer massacre. I have always been a fan of historical fiction. Mr. Sumrall's account is raw, violent and sad. He also spends a considerable amount of time and detail on Custer's wife, Libby." Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite
"William Sumrall takes the time to develop his own versions of the personalities and darkest thoughts of some of history's most interesting military figures. I particularly loved Libby Custer's slow decline from trapped proper lady to all out maniac." K.C. Finn for - Readers' Favorite
"In Metal Storm: Weird Custer, Sumrall shows himself to be an excellent writer who can describe both action and his characters’ internal struggles. He gives us some fascinating details about the Native Americans…Metal Storm: Weird Custer is a short book, but in that space Sumrall manages to give more of the feel of the Old West than other books do in three times its length."- Raanan Geberer for Readers' Favorite
If ever America had its Absalom, this tragic figure would have been personified in the character of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. This enigma of a man, killed at 36 years of age in an unprecedented disaster largely of his own making had risen to spectacular fame and glory when at the age of 23, he had been promoted to General during the Civil War.
This prodigal son of a blacksmith would not be denied his place in the sun with the Presidential Elections looming in November of 1876. A virtual shoo-in as the next President of the United States, he needed one last crowning achievement.
To the West, in the Montana Territory lay his Holy Grail, this Holy Grail was a multicellular sentient being, a living, breathing deadly object of the Boy General’s adoration. It was the Sioux Nation.
A Holy Man had risen among these tribes of the mountains and prairies. This Holy Man wore a grim face ravaged with the scars of small pox. Magic passed down from shaman to shaman during the course of thousands of years had brought together the largest conglomeration of Sioux Clans ever seen. Added to this were the Northern Cheyenne, and hodge podges of the other Nations, such as the Comanche.
Magic not seen in 30,000 years would be invoked – would have to be invoked – to stop the ambition blinded former General who intended to rule the world as an Emperor. Using his immediate family members as satraps, Custer would fulfill his obsession with becoming the next Alexander the Great.
Much has been made of the disaster that consumed the Custer element, much speculation and many contradicting images emerge.
The author has drawn from eye witness accounts. Most of the characters are rooted in history, but there are exceptions. METAL STORM is a historical fiction in which the author has studied the faces of the actors in the play in order to give realistic description. He has studied extensively the weapons used, and how they performed under extreme application.
Fact and fantasy have been melded together, in this Opus Magnus of the Weird West genre.
