swamprat410's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

A fantastic historical non-fiction read. The research that went into this book and the way that the information is presented is fabulous. This is a historical non-fiction book that caused me to go into a reading slump -- not because this book was bad, but because I had a hard time finding other books that were as well written. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

swamprat410's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

daishaspencer's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This is one of the most gut wrenching and horrific stories I’ve read. I found myself moved to tears many times placing myself as a young woman in the shoes of Sarah and her companions. The author wrote beautifully of the scenery in which the party found themselves, I could clearly see places I’ve never been (though I had to reference google maps a handful of times). This story is not without bias from the author, but no narrative non-fiction truly can be. This book has left me with a lasting impression of a story which I knew little about before. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sare1125's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kaki4forks's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark informative sad slow-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sarahbroccoli's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

3.5

Check TWs this was a harrowing book. Loved the empathy and thoughtfulness that the author employed when discussing the Donner party and the central theme of hope and perseverance.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ablot's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

while the author sometimes derails into speculative sentimentality, there is so much heart to this book. it presents the story and implications of the story of the donner party in an accessible but stimulating way. something Brown tends to do successfully is contextualize the events he is recording, and he does a wonderful job here. i left the book wishing i knew more about sarah, and will likely do more research on the westward expansion just due to this incredible book.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

dustghosts's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kathleenwho's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

For a historical non-fiction book (I usually find these quite dry and difficult to finish), this is really beautifully and skillfully written despite the horrible subject matter, and compassionate about the people involved and history in general. Way too many people involved to follow easily (not the author's fault) - keep a note of who's who! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

reverenddustbunny's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

Exemplary work of explorative non-fiction

Expand filter menu Content Warnings