In the spring of 1846, the Donner Party of pioneers set out from Springfield, Illinois with hopes of migrating west and starting better lives. Of the 87 original members of the party, only 48 were to survive, and survival would only be won by facing unimaginable hardship and unthinkable decisions.
The story and fate of the Donner Party has lived in the American imagination for nearly 200 years. The story of human foibles leading to disastrous ends has fascinated generations of Americans. Did the party's overconfidence and greed lead to their demise? Did people really resort to cannibalism? Could the tragedy have been avoided?
These 6 books answer those questions and any others you may have about the Donner Party and the context it resulted from. Grab one of these books about the Donner Party to get a glimpse into the horror, tragedy, and humanity of the party.
The Best Land Under Heaven: The Donner Party in the Age of Manifest Destiny
Michael Wallis cuts through the many years of mythmaking around this notorious event in this definitive account of the Donner Party's story. Using newly uncovered documents relating to the catastrophe and evocative storytelling, Wallis explores how greed and recklessness led to this tragedy that has persisted in the American mythos for nearly 200 years.
The Year of Decision 1846
In this compelling book, Pulitzer Prize winner Bernard DeVoto covers many of the events of the decisive year of 1846. Readers will be taken back to the time of Westward expansion and the many tragedies, trials, and tribulations that were faced in the process, including, of course, the mishaps and fateful end of the Donner Party over the course of 1846 and 1847.
The Indifferent Stars Above
This work of narrative non-fiction centers 21-year-old Sarah Graves, who set out with her family in search of a better life as a part of the Donner Party. Combining the facts with emotional and harrowing storytelling, the horrors of the group are put under a new light through the eyes of young Sarah and the hardships she had to face.
Wagons West
Renowned historian Frank McLynn recreates the dramatic journey midwestern farmers took part in as they migrated West in droves, literally plunging into the unknown. McLynn covers many aspects of these journeys and the climax of the book centers around the dreadful Donner Party and how it represents the fears and obstacles of these treks in general.
Ordeal By Hunger
First published less than 100 years after the Donner ordeal, this book details the immense suffering the members of the party faced, both those that perished and those that were forced to see the horrors necessary for survival. Using diaries as well as other documentation, this account of the events is sure to pull readers in and not let go.
Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West
Drawing from archaeological evidence, newly done research on survival and snowfall rates, and letters and diaries only released a century and a half after the disaster, this book brings to life the real people of the party. Ethan Rarick brings a humanity to those on the journey by examining the unthinkable decisions they were forced to make in order to survive or allow their loved ones to survive.
Featured photo: Wikimedia Commons
