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Here at work, we got into a recent discussion about the "trials and tribulations" that the Donner party must have faced. It got me to thinking and I did some reading online (wikipedia), it was a long and insightful article (although I know the shortcomings of wiki-anything, in that it's up to veracity depending on who inputs).
So... I'm not wondering if anyone can recommend a good book on the Donner party and their tragic travels. Something that is more accurate than speculative is preferred.
Sorry to trouble with this... but there's many books out there, I'd had to buy a bunch to sift through if someone can point me in a good direction.
I read Ordeal by Hunger by George R. Stewart and liked it a lot. It certainly gave a feel for what happened.
I also read this a million years ago and thought it was really good, really detailed. I have been to the Donner Party site in Truckee which is also interesting and haunting. You can see what the depth of the snow was by the missing lower branches on the trees that they used for firewood - it really brings home how impossible their journey really was.
What's really weird for me is that I just found out from you, Marlow, that the book is by George R. Stewart, who wrote "Earth Abides," one of my favorite post-apocalypse novels. I had no idea I had read a book by him prior to "Earth Abides," too funny.
I also read this a million years ago and thought it was really good, really detailed. I have been to the Donner Party site in Truckee which is also interesting and haunting. You can see what the depth of the snow was by the missing lower branches on the trees that they used for firewood - it really brings home how impossible their journey really was.
What's really weird for me is that I just found out from you, Marlow, that the book is by George R. Stewart, who wrote "Earth Abides," one of my favorite post-apocalypse novels. I had no idea I had read a book by him prior to "Earth Abides," too funny.
Hmmm. That makes me want to look for Earth Abides. I thought he was a really good writer. Thanks for the tip!
Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West by Ethan Rarick
I have it in hardcover but it's now available in paperback, audio and kindle.
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