57 pages • 1 hour read
The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride
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Book Brief
337
Biography • Nonfiction
Sierra Nevada Mountains • 1840s
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Indifferent Stars Above, Daniel James Brown recounts the tragic 1846 journey of the Donner Party, focusing on Sarah Graves, a newlywed traveling West with her family. The party, misled by an unproven shortcut through the Sierra Nevada, faces extreme hardships including starvation and dire environmental conditions, ultimately leading to a harrowing survival ordeal. The book contains depictions of starvation, cannibalism, and death.
Dark
Mysterious
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
35,764 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Daniel James Brown's The Indifferent Stars Above is praised for its compelling storytelling and vivid historical detail, immersing readers in the harrowing reality of the Donner Party. However, some find the narrative pace slow and the detailed digressions distracting. Overall, it effectively combines human drama with rigorous historical research, providing a gripping yet educational read.
Who Should Read The Indifferent Stars Above?
Readers who relish harrowing true survival stories intertwined with historical detail will find The Indifferent Stars Above compelling. Fans of works like Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air and Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea will appreciate Daniel James Brown's meticulous research and narrative style.
35,764 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sarah Graves
Sarah Graves
A young woman and central figure in the Donner Party story, whose journey and survival encapsulate the challenges and resilience of pioneer life during one of America's most tragic pioneer expeditions.
James Fraizer Reed
James Fraizer Reed
A businessman and central figure in the Donner Party who played a crucial role in organizing the expedition, whose decisions significantly impacted the group's fate, and later helped in rescue efforts after being banished from the group.
Lansford Hastings
Lansford Hastings
An influential 19th-century figure known for promoting westward expansion to California with his guidebook, proposing the ill-fated Hastings Cutoff that significantly impacted the Donner Party's journey.
337
Biography • Nonfiction
Sierra Nevada Mountains • 1840s
2009
Adult
18+ years
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