Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2008
288
Book • Nonfiction
•
Western•
American LiteratureWestern United States • 1840s
•
US History2008
Adult
18+ years
Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West recounts the harrowing 1846 journey of the Donner Party, a group of American pioneers traveling to California. Facing dire hardships, these individuals endure extreme conditions and make life-altering decisions, illustrating the human spirit's resilience under adversity. Ethan Rarick delves into their struggle and ultimate survival ordeal.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Suspenseful
Melancholic
4,326 ratings
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Ethan Rarick's Desperate Passage offers a compelling, well-researched narrative of the Donner Party's tragic journey. Readers appreciate its engaging storytelling and historical detail, though some find it emotionally intense. The book excels in humanizing its subjects, though a few desire more context about the broader migration trends of the era.
A reader captivated by tales of survival, history, and the American frontier would enjoy Desperate Passage. Fans of Ambrose's Undaunted Courage or Krakauer's Into Thin Air will appreciate Rarick's gripping narrative and detailed research into the ill-fated Donner Party expedition.
4,326 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Book • Nonfiction
•
Western•
American LiteratureWestern United States • 1840s
•
US History2008
Adult
18+ years
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