1. Little Bighorn revisited

Popular historians are always treading the line between detail and big picture, and it always boils down to sheer storytelling chops. Nathaniel Philbrick’s new "The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn" (Viking, $30) is one of those books that uses detail to sell the story — and what a story it is, one that has become mythological in the telling. George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry’s shocking demise on the flat-topped hill near the Little Bighorn jolted America during its centennial year of 1876, and continues to confound us today.

At the heart of it, Little Bighorn remains a mystery to be unraveled. Philbrick takes an insightful, even-handed approach that likely tell us more about Sitting Bull than about the gaudy "boy general." It’s a tough narrative to put down, as Philbrick takes a self-consciously literary approach to the writing. Scholarly it’s not; a hell of a tale, it is. — Burl Burlingame

2. Plug it in, plug it ALL in

There are plenty of USB port devices on the market, but few are as cute as USB Hubman ($10.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond). The gizmo plugs into one USB outlet on your computer and provides four ports so you can download your camera and charge your iPod and Flip camera all at the same time. It’s basically an extension cord for your computer input devices, but who would have thought something so serviceable could make you smile? — Donica Kaneshiro

3. Man-crush revealed

As far as I’m concerned, putting Javier Bardem in any movie is gold. See him now opposite Julia Roberts in "Eat Pray Love," but take a look at the rest of the versatile Spanish actor’s English-language resume, including his Oscar-nominated breakout as a persecuted gay Cuban writer in 2000’s "Before Night Falls." Other memorable roles: writer Ramon Sampedro in "The Sea Inside," the hit man Anton Chigurh in "No Country for Old Men" (for which Bardem won an Oscar) and, more recently, a brooding romantic painter in Woody Allen’s "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Bardem’s the total package — an actor who lends a believable gravity to any role he plays. — Gary Chun

4. Ultimate sweet treats

The next time you’re in need of a snack, reach for Sweet Charlotte chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies, puffed rice candy or almond energy bars — if you’re lucky enough to find them.

Charlotte Tanaka gave away her homemade treats for 20 years before going commercial last fall, baking them in small batches in a commercial kitchen with son Kian Atabaki. Only the best natural ingredients go into their baked goods. "I’m really picky and what I sell are things I’m gonna eat myself, so I’ve changed recipes to how I like them," she said.

I especially love her energy bars made with organic crispy rice cereal, honey and homemade marshmallow cream. A 3-ounce bag is $5. Look for Sweet Charlotte at this weekend’s Made in Hawaii Festival at the Blaisdell and the Nui Mono and Friends sale Sept. 19 at Waioli Tea Room. — Nadine Kam

5. A legend among harpsichordists

A treasure trove of jazz recordings sold to the National Jazz Museum includes an unusual recording of the great Teddy Wilson on harpsichord instead of the usual piano. That bit of news reminded me of Don Angle, a harpsichordist known for his jazz and pop arrangements. I heard him while in college studying 18th century music written for the instrument. Angle’s versions of "The Entertainer" and "Blowin’ in the Wind" were colorful and creative, and the harpsichord’s lack of dynamic range didn’t detract from the fun at all. His technique was legendary among harpsichordists.

Angle died two years ago, but his CDs and arrangements are available via donangle.com. — Steven Mark