The Donner Party Chronicles: A Day-by-Day Account of a Doomed Wagon Train, 1846-47

by Frank Mullen

The Donner Party has become a tragic icon of the American march west. From Independence, Missouri, to Sutter's Fort, California, the party endured almost unimaginable hardship and suffering. Author Frank Mullen Jr. gives us a day by day account of their struggle for survival as they journey across the trail west. The Reno Gazette-Journal and the Nevada Humanities Committee present Frank Mullen's account of the Donner Party, accompanied by hundreds of historical illustrations and Marilyn Newton's photographs of the trail today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

379 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been pretty much obsessed with The Donner Party since I first heard of it back in the fourth grade. This is one of the most complete books on the subject that I've found. It includes photos, maps and all kinds of other details that I found to be irresistible.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

very thorough and reader-friendly with plenty of historical documents, journal entries, photos, references. I was mesmerized by this book my friend, who is a Donner party enthusiast, got at a fund-raising auction. I stayed up for hours to finish it.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing account of the Donner Party trek across the United States in search of a new life in California.

The book collects a day-by-day account with photos and diary entries from the trip. This is a story that shows the best and absolute worst in humanity, survivalism as they became stranded for months in the Sierra Madre winter with no food, and hope.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging and well-researched account of this horrific story.

[Myriah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both helpful as a reference guide and enjoyable as an educational read.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched. The photos were amazing, showing the wagon trails in the earth even to this day.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of that year's tragic expedition. I appreciated the diary entries and pictures as well. So informative.