Multi-media Communication & Presentation

August 22, 2022

About the Author

Steve AdelsonSteve Adelson is an avid historian of American western expansion and the Indian Wars in the American West. He is about to begin his eight season as a Park Ranger Interpreter at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Adelson is a writer and speaker focusing on the Indian Wars and Westward expansion.  At the Battlefield, he has presented his riveting “Battle Talk” Apocalypse at Little Bighorn; Custer’s Final Battle to thousands of enthusiastic visitors from around the world. He has been a consultant on the epic battle, appearing on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, CBS Sunday Morning, Travel Channel, C-Span, radio shows and other media outlets. He has also been a keynote speaker at numerous venues ranging from historical associations, museums, schools, private entrepreneurial clubs and organizations.

Adelson’s fascination with “Custer’s Last Stand” has captivated him since boyhood. He has been an avid student of this epic battle for the past 25 years. His book comes packaged with a DVD of his powerful presentation, ‘Contested Ground,’ filmed at the battlefield where the events chronicled in the book took place. This widely acclaimed publication package—book (now in its third printing) and DVD—is the number one seller at Custer Battlefield Museum and other outlets.

Over the last 20 years, Steve has joined numerous historical associations including, Friends of the Little Bighorn, Little Bighorn Associates, The Bozeman Trail Association, Frontier Regulars, Fort Laramie Historical Society, Custer Battlefield Historical Association, Sheridan Historical Society, Museum of the Rockies, and the Pioneer Museum of Bozeman, Montana. He has visited many of the significant sites of the Great Sioux War (1876-77) and other Indian War battlefields.

A veteran educator of 30 years of service, he has taught graduate courses through Montana State University and the Heritage Institute. His flagship courses “Apocalypse at Little Bighorn” and “The Bozeman Trail; Days of Thunder” have provided a fascinating living history experience to a multitude of students.

Steve holds a B.A. in Social Studies from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Montana State University. He has a colorful flair as a story teller and his writing is emotionally descriptive. Little Bighorn, Voices from a Distant Wind is his first book.


Adelson Appearances and Presentations


Caution, this video of Adelson giving his “Battle Talk” was taken at the Battlefield on a very windy day, so there is a lot of background noise.

Review of Adelson’s presentation: Contested Ground. “Steve is not only a gifted historian, passionate educator, and Little Bighorn scholar, but also an accomplished speaker.” [His presentation is both] “enlightening and entertaining.”  Brian A. Binn, President Winter Night Club. 

Steve Adelson will be at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument summer of  2019. This will be his ninth year there as a seasonal Park Ranger Interpreter, where he gives his famous ‘Battle Talk’ attended by people from around the world.

CSPAN.  Battle of Little Bighorn.  Author, Steve Adelson talked about the Battle of the Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand. In the battle, the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry fought against the Sioux and…See Video

Previous Engagements
• Presentation: Broken Promises Shattered Hopes
The Road to Wounded Knee: Indian Wars on the Plains, 1854-1890

2018
Nov. 5, 2018, 6:30 p.m. Langley United Methodist Church, Langley WA
Click for Details and brief introduction to presentation.

• Presentation: Apocalypse at Little Bighorn / Custer’s Final Battle
2018
Sat., Nov. 3, 2018.  1:00 p.m. Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center
Oct. 4, 2018. Woodland Park Library, Woodland Park CO
Sat., Oct. 27, 2018.  2:30 p.m.  Fort Vancouver WA
Oct. 17, 2018. Whitefish Library, Whitefish MT
2017
Nov. 8, 2017. C&P Coffee House
, West Seattle WA.
Nov. 12, 2017 Country Book Shelf Bozeman MT.
Oct., 2017.
Broadmore Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO. (see video below)

Contact Steve to book an event with him

 Comments
Jan. 25, 2018. The Travel Channel aired their program on the Battle of the Little Bighorn. (Unfortunately, “the problem with these documentaries is, the creators cannot discern who are the experts and who are not. Consequently they cannot separate the wheat from the chaff. I give them a B-”  Steve Adelson