Product ReviewsHistory of the Donner Party : A Tragedy of the Sierra by C. F. McGlashan (1940, Trade Paperback, Revised edition)

An accurate story with the help of the survivors

This book is not for everyone, I know. I became interested in the story a few years ago when I rode the train west over Donner pass. There were Historians brought on board to tell the story to the passengers as we traveled. This is the book that is recommended by the Historical Society of the California State Historical Society for anyone wanting to learn more. Its considered the best historical account of the Donner Party crossing of the Sierra's. This book reproduces McGlashen's revised edition of 1880 with editors notes and maps of 1940 which were revised in 1947.

I think most people have heard the awful stories about these pioneers who were near starvation or starved to death crossing the mountains in the 1800's and were forced into cannibalism. Many of these stories are not true and many are true. This book was written with the permission and in cooperation with the survivors of the Donner Party and with very in depth and accurate research.

The language of the writer is a bit old fashioned compared with today's writing and this makes reading it, at times, a bit over done with the flowery wording. And though he doesn't give the gorey details of the cannibalism, he doesn't shy away from the fact that it happened. If written today, there would be no detail left out, but by the 1880's standards he took great care to be accurate, but respectful to the survivors as well as the victims. It was a well layed-out and intelligently written book. If this bit of history is of interest, then I highly recommend it.Read full review...

History of the Donner Party.

An amazing read. Almost unbelievable the challenges and determination of the Donner Party. Also the goodwill and efforts of total strangers to help and rescue the starving Donner Party.

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History of the Donner Party by Charles F. McGlashan

I decided to buy "History of the Donner Party", because I had seen a tv special one time and wanted to read the whole story....What a horrible experience for all who were involved...
This book is wrote wonderfully....You can picture everything as you read the stories...If you enjoy true stories, this is a great read...Read full review...

Keep turning the pages!

Great read.

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a required taste...no pun intended..

dredging up artifacts and maps and drawings from this fafetful journey the author puts you there and you can taste it..ha ha..seriously..a tragic tale of the uncrontrollable mother nature and the will to survive...Read full review...

Good history of Donner Family trdegy

Good read, good history, clear historical account of the Donner Tragedy. Many accounts from original letters and diaries by family members