Ordeal by Hunger
The Story of the Donner Party
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Ordeal by Hunger
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Narrated by:
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Jeff Riggenbach
The tragedy of the Donner party constitutes one of the most amazing stories of the American West. In 1846 eighty-seven people—men, women, and children—set out for California and were persuaded to attempt a new overland route. After struggling across the desert, losing many oxen, and nearly dying of thirst, they reached the very summit of the Sierras only to be trapped by blinding snow and bitter storms. Many perished; some survived by resorting to cannibalism; all were subjected to unbearable suffering.
Incorporating the diaries of the survivors and other contemporary documents, George Stewart wrote the definitive history of that ill-fated band of pioneers—an astonishing account of what human beings may endure and achieve in the final press of circumstance.
©1936 , 1960, renewed 1963 by George R. Stewart. © renewed 1988 by Theodosia B. Stewart (P)1996 Blackstone Audio, Inc.Critic reviews
“Ordeal by Hunger is compulsive reading—a wonderful account, both scholarly and gripping, of a horrifying episode in the history of the west.”
(Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning author)“Excellent.”
(New York Times)“The tale comes to life in horror and tragedy. Stewart writes swiftly, surely, dramatically, and with impartial accuracy. Almost every member of the party is re-created with skill and sympathy.”
(Saturday Review)“Expertly read by Jeff Riggenbach, the tale retains its freshness and power 150 years later. Riggenbach reads the stark story with authority, clarity and richness.”
(AudioFile)“Riggenbach’s professional, unvoiced presentation provides the appropriately serious reactions and allows the listener to deal with the facts with compassion. Although grisly, the account is sympathetic and not ghoulish. Carefully researched, it illustrates how unbelievably strong the will to survive is.”
(Kliatt)Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
no I found this book not what I thought it was going to be, maybe I should have expected it from the title.What will your next listen be?
something funny, or another history book.How did the narrator detract from the book?
there was nothing wrong with it, just not for me sorryIf this book were a film would you go see it?
unsure!!!!!!!!!!horrible
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A harrowing story
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Read by Troy McLure
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Desperate situation
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