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

~ Frank Mullen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A commemorative volume published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Donner Party's travels across the continent.

From the Publisher

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. Profusely illustrated with Marilyn Newton's color photography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Nevada Humanities Committee; 1 edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890591017
• ISBN-13: 978-1890591014
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #614,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book that's a gripping read - an excellent gift, May 5, 2001

By	Karl Ahlrichs (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews

Frank Mullen has added an important book to the history of Donner Party. The tragedy has been the focus of writing since the spring of 1847, but Mullen has found a fresh way to make the story understandable and, perhaps more importantly, human.

The book is a daily chronolgy of the year that it took the party to travel from Illinois to California, and each two-page spread of this large book is carefully laid out and presents a mix of graphics and text. It is rewarding if read straight through, yet very accessible if your reading style is more "grazing" than linear.

Mullen clearly has done his homework. The sheer volume of detail and complexity in the story can be overwhelming, and Mullen includes the details that are needed to clarify and develop the people in the story. He includes wonderful quotes from diaries and supporting material, and drawings of interesting side issues such as an analysis of the probable shape of the "Pioneer Palace Car." Additionally, Marilyn Newton's photographs of the trail as seen today make it real for a modern reader.

When I have given this book as a gift to anyone with an interest in American History, it has been very well received. A truly great book.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best All-Around Book on the Donner Party Since Ordeal, March 20, 1999

By	[e-mail] or Frankye Craig (Reno, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews

The strong point of the book is the day by day account of the Donner Party's journey. Mullen writes as if he were actually on the trail with the party, and the reader has that same sense of being there. Mullen's writing style makes this book the best Donner Party telling since George Stewart's Ordeal By Hunger.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read, Takes you back in time, August 10, 2004

By	Eric the Reader (California) - See all my reviews

If you only read one book about the Donner Party, make it this one! The Donner Chronicles tells the story of doomed pioneers and their struggle to survive. It keeps the reader at the edge of his seat and provides great detail of the period and the people. Highly recommended for history buffs who want to read history as though it's a novel instead of a dry textbook. Great photos, maps and graphics add to the text.