The Utter Disaster on the Oregon Trail (Snake Country Series, Vol. 2) [Paperback]

Donald H. Shannon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Snake Country | Publication Date: June 1993

A vivid description of one of the most brutal and horrific clashes between Native Americans and pioneers on the Oregon Trail.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Snake Country Publishing (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963582828
• ISBN-13: 978-0963582829
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,813,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling account of the Oregon Trail's worst tragedy., December 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Utter Disaster on the Oregon Trail (Snake Country Series, Vol. 2) (Paperback)

Mostly unknown by the general public and historians, the story of the ill-fated Utter and Van Ornum parties in 1860 ranks high on the list of most moving struggles of the westward-bound emigrants along the Oregon Trail. This story, inaccurately recorded until now, rates as a must-read by any afficianado of Oregon Trail history. Mr. Shannon spent several years researching this book, and the quality of that reasearch shines through on almost every page. The names of all the players in the tragedy are there. Details of every conceivable facet of the story is included. There are many very rare photos and drawings included, and well-drawn maps of each part of the tale grace the pages of this invaluable resource. The story itself is compelling beyond measaure. There is heroism, cowardice, death, destruction, and intrigue at every turn. If only the story of 13 year-old Emmeline Trimble and her 10 year-old brother Christopher were included in this book, I would still recommend it highly. This slim volume, however, is easily read in one sitting and yet covers the subject of the "massacre" completely. The writing is energetic and entirely factual. This is easily one of the best books on Oregon Trail matters written in the last ten years. I recommend it highly. Anyone interested in how the west was REALLY won and lost should consider Donald Shannon's book an absolute must-have.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Malheur Country Historian's opinion, March 3, 2003

By 

Jim Lackey (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Utter Disaster on the Oregon Trail (Snake Country Series, Vol. 2) (Paperback)

I grew up near the scenes in this book and I have received considerable information from local folks. I summarized the tragedy in a Malheur newsletter several years ago, but Don Shannon's book far exceeds my work. He has done a beautiful job of spicing his narrative with letters and quotes from survivors and pioneers of the time. Don's book is so moving I sort of wept at some passages. It has heroes, a particularly savage Indian group of renegades, and some blundering ordinary people. And it is all true!