History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra [Paperback]

C. McGlashan (Author), George Hinkle (Editor), Bliss Hinkle (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1940

PREFACE. THE delirium preceding death by starvation, is fuIl of strange phantasies. Visions of plenty, of comfort, of elegance, flit ever before the fast-dimming eyes. The final twilight of death is a brief semi-consciousness in which the dying one . frequently repeats his weird dreams, Half rising from his snowy couch, pointing upward, one . of the deathstricken at Donner Lake may have said, with tremulous voice Look there, just above us, is a beautiful house. It is of costliest walnut, inlaid with laurel and ebony, and is resplendent with burnished silver. Magnificent in all its apariments, it is furnished like apalacc. It is rich with costIy cushions elegant tapestries, dazzling mirrors its floor is covered with Oriental carpets, its ceiling with artistic frescoings downy cushions invite the weary to repose. It is filled with people who are chatting, laughing, and singing, joyous and care-free. There is an abundance of rvarmth and rare viands, and sparkling wines. Suspended among the storm-clouds, it is flying along the face of the precipice . at a marvelous speed. Plying no it has . ivh is and is gliding along on a smooth, ski It is sheltered from the wind and snhw by large beams and hug posts, which are bolted to the cliffs with heavy, iron rods. The avalanches, with thkir burden of earth and rocks and crushed pines, swcep harmlessly abbvk this beautiful house and its happy inmates. ,-It is drawn by neither oxen nor horses, but by a fiery, h-breathed monster, with iron limbs and thews of steel. The mountain trembles beneath his tread, and the rocks for miles re-echo his roar. If such a vision was related, it but indicates, prophetically, the progress of a few years. Californias history is repIete with tragic, startling events. These events are the Iandmarks by which its advancement is traced. One of the most mourn ful of these is recorded in this work-a work intended as a contribution, not to the literature, but to the history of the State. More thrilling than romance, more terrible than fictjon, the sufferings of the Donner Party form a bold contrast to the joys of pleasute-seekers who to-day look down upon the take from the windows of silver paIace cars. The scenes of horror and despair which transpired in the snowy Sierra in the winter of 1846-7, need no exaggeratidn, no embellishment. From all the works heretofore published, from over one thousand letters received from the survivors, from ample manuscrjpt, and from personal interviews wj th the most important actors in the tragedy, the facts have been carefully compiled. Neither time, pains, nor expense have been spared in ferreting out the truth. New and fragmentary versions of the sad story have appeared aImost every year since the unfortunate occurrence. To forever supplant these distorted and fabulous reports-which have usuaIIy been sensational newspaper articles-the survivors have deemed it wise to contribute the truth. The truth is sufficiently terrible. Where conacting accounts of particular scenes or occurrences have been contributed, every effort has been made to render them harmonious and reconcilable. With justice, with impartiality, and with strict adherence to what appeared truthful and reliable, the book has been written...

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Historians owe much to the patient industry of McGlashan, who brought together the facts of the tragic Donner episode. . . . McGlashan’s work will remain the standard, as well as the pioneer, presentation of facts. The editors have made a notable contribution in their lengthy introduction as well as in the maps, editors’ notes, and bilbiography.”—The American Historical Review

“The author’s account is still the best available on that famous expedition.”—Lake Charles American Press

“One of the most important sources of information concerning perhaps the best known, because it is the most sensational and horrifying, episode in western American history. . . . The History of the Donner Party is a splendid piece of work.”—Utah Humanities Review

“McGashan expended tremendous energy in amassing historical evidence about the tragic fate of the party. . . . The firsthand information endowed his writing with immediacy and vitality. As a description of what happened, the book stands alone.”—Choice

“Though first published over 60 years ago, McGlashan’s notable book on the Donner party has been in constant demand, and this facsimile republication, with definite bibliography, additional maps, photographs and notes, together with an extensive foreword on McGlashan by George H. and Bliss McGlashan Hinkle constitutes the finest edition yet offered. . . . [McGlashan’s] book is still a source on one of the west’s greatest epics, and is here presented in a thoroughly satisfying edition.”—San Jose Herald

From the Back Cover

“Historians owe much to the patient industry of McGlashan, who brought together the facts of the tragic Donner episode. . . . McGlashan’s work will remain the standard, as well as the pioneer, presentation of facts. The editors have made a notable contribution in their lengthy introduction as well as in the maps, editors’ notes, and bilbiography.”—The American Historical Review
“The author’s account is still the best available on that famous expedition.”—Lake Charles American Press

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Stanford University Press; 1 edition (June 1, 1940)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804703671
• ISBN-13: 978-0804703673
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,287,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent example of period writing - still gripping!, February 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra (Paperback)

The McGlashan book has been in print almost continuously for nearly 120 years. While not the entire story, it is still the book against which all Donner Party stories are measured. It is a compelling story of the classic American tragedy of the western migration, showing the many complex sides of the individuals involved in the story. It is mandatory reading for anyone interested in our western history

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book is riveting, hard to put down, and incredible., November 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra (Paperback)

It's hard to believe that what is written down in this book ir real. But, real it is. Once you start reading it you can't put it down. It holds you spellbound. Pulls at your heartstrings as you read what this party had to go through. It would be impossible today for people to stand up to what these people did. This book is well worth the reading. These people had the strength, fortitude that is seldom found today.

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars McGlashan's Work Valuable, But Flawed, September 10, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Yellow Springs, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra (Paperback)

While certainly a worthwile book on the tragedy of the Donner Party, the book does have its weaknesses. Specifically, McGlashan's research is less than objective. As George Stewart points out in his better book on the subject, "Ordeal By Hunger," McGlashan was very sloppy with his facts. His personal friendship with a few of the Donner Party survivors also biases his writing. Still, the book is a very important read for those interested in this historic tragedy. For the money, though, Stewart's book is the better choice