Life Changing

This book can be summed up in one word: WOW!

Any problems you think you have just pale in comparison to what the Donner and Reed emigrant party suffered through in the winter of 1846-47. This story will haunt you and can almost be life changing. It really puts priorities in perspective.

My only complaint with this audio book would be in the sound editing of the narrator's recording. Pauses (short gaps of silence) were apparently added between many of the paragraphs breaking up their natural flow. They're a tad annoying and unnecessary.

The narrators reading was otherwise most excellent.

I loved the book!

11 people found this helpful

Excellent if you Really like History...

This is an excellent history with interesting stories and interesting characters. It is VERY detailed. Some may find the detail tedious, I found everything interesting. I have read other histories of these events, and this was the most detailed as well as the most touching.

5 people found this helpful

Great story. Horrible narration.

What did you like best about Ordeal by Hunger? What did you like least?

I could not finish the book. The narrator's habit of taking a HUGE audible breath before each cadence or sentence became nauseating.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's habit of taking a HUGE audible breath before each cadence or sentence became nauseating.

Any additional comments?

If you like the Donner story, stick with the audible book, DESPARATE PASSAGE.

2 people found this helpful

good book

it was a very good book.
I read it in print before, but it was nice to listen to some one else read it

Amazing Story

I did not expect the book to be such a nail-biter, but the story, as a whole, is one of suspense, as the reader can only hope that those involved survive their ordeal. I found myself getting upset with a couple of people due to their actions, and cheering on those that showed great courage and honor in their endeavors.

epic of human tragedy and survival

amazing to hear real life stories of how people faced tragedy and overcame it to survive.

Very dated

While this is a very well researched and detailed account of the Donner Party, I have to give it a rather low rating because the writing style is so dated. First published in 1936 it is understandable that the writing style would be different, but for such interesting subject matter the writing is unbelievable dry. And racist...so there's that too.

This edition includes a very self-congragilitory afterwards (written in 1960) pointing out all the areas where other texts about the Donner Party differ from his account and why he is actually right. (Really? Is this necessary?) It also includes the full text of Patrick Breen's diary, James Reed's diary, and Virginia Reed's letters.

Additionally, it is read by Jeff Riggenbach. Imagine the most boring history lecturer you have ever had to listen to drone on, making fascinating and exciting material seem as interesting as watching paint dry. That's Jeff Riggenbach.

Enjoyable narration

Any additional comments?

I've been an Audible subscriber for over 10 years and this is one of my favourite audiobooks. It's a perfect length story to cover the full tale of the Donner Party. As the author notes at the beginning of the book, the good/bad/ugly of human nature is showcased vividly. What I enjoy about the book is that the tone of the narrator fits so well with the writing style of the author (if you read any of my other reviews, you'll see that this is the hallmark of a good audiobook for me!). It's almost like the author and the narrator were one person, sitting in a wooden rocking chair on a porch on a summer evening, or beside a fire on a blizzardy night, and telling us a tale from the pioneering days in the old west. Factual and thorough without being emotionally dramatic, yet still compelling through devices like foreshadowing. Instead, the author and narrator leave it to our imaginations, to envision the action while they're describing those famous events. This is a memorable story and the narration complemented it well.

Comprehensive!

Very pleasing presentation and a comprehensive account of the Donner Party backed with primary sources.

Would You?... Could You? The Donner Party Had To!

Wow! I felt as if I was right there along with the Donner party, the way that the author, George Stewart, told this story. The book is detailed enough to really “feel it”, but also moves along at a good pace that keep you coming back for more.

I was able to actually envision how the Donner party faced tremendous odds of adversity and had to resort to some of the most unthinkable acts in order to try to survive. Would you?... Could you? Well, if you were facing these odds… you just might!

If you’re looking for a really good, true story, adventure book, this is the one for you!