Washington Author Fascinates With ‘What Ifs’ In Latest “Custer’s Gold”

A local author’s latest book starts with facts, and then gets fascinating.

Just over 140 years ago, DC residents were ambivalent concerning the Northern Pacific Railroad, local author John Lubetkin explained to me.  While they knew it would further unify the country, they also were afraid that the business competition it would give to the Transcontinental Railroad could hurt their own pocketbooks.  It was, therefore, with keen interest that DC’s businessmen followed the army (in general) and the popular George Armstrong Custer (in particular) as they protected the Northern Pacific surveyors while battling the Sioux in the picturesque Yellowstone Valley.

All this is easily found in the facts, he says.  But, what if there were more to the story?  What if there were even more business interests involved?

What if, while guarding the surveying parties, Custer discovered the whereabouts of a cache of hidden gold? And what if this gold — stolen in a spectacular 1864 Virginia City, MT robbery — just happened to fall into the hands of his “best friend” from West Point/Confederate enemy in a dozen battles… who also happens to be the man leading the  surveys?

With a volatile mix of Custer, Sheridan, Grant, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, stolen gold, Robber Barons, wholesale corruption, and considerable romance, Lubetkin reels you in with his latest Custer’s Gold, a believable adventure tale that may be best appreciated by historical fiction fans, but will also satisfy any who revel in these rare possibilities of American history.

*John Lubetkin currently resides in McLean, VA.