The Indifferent Stars Above cover art

The Indifferent Stars Above

The Harrowing Saga of the Donner Party

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The Indifferent Stars Above

By: Daniel James Brown
Narrated by: Michael Prichard
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About this listen

From the number one best-selling author of The Boys in the Boat comes an unforgettable epic of family, tragedy, and survival on the American frontier.

“An ideal pairing of talent and material.... Engrossing.... A deft and ambitious storyteller.” (Mary Roach, New York Times Book Review)

In April of 1846, 21-year-old Sarah Graves, intent on a better future, set out west from Illinois with her new husband, her parents, and eight siblings. Seven months later, after joining a party of pioneers led by George Donner, they reached the Sierra Nevada Mountains as the first heavy snows of the season closed the pass ahead of them. In early December, starving and desperate, Sarah and 14 others set out for California on snowshoes and over the next 32 days endured almost unfathomable hardships and horrors.

In this gripping narrative, New York Times best-selling author Daniel James Brown sheds new light on one of the most legendary events in American history. Following every painful footstep of Sarah’s journey with the Donner Party, Brown produces a tale both spellbinding and richly informative.

©2009 Daniel James Brown (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Americas Historical United States Old West Wild West Illinois
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this becomes one of those things you look forward to, and miss once you've finished.

Attempts and succeeds at something that many histories try and few accomplish. putting the reader squarely, and at times, deeply uncomfortably in the shoes of the people to whom these terrible events occurred.

wasn't sure about Mr. Prichard's narration at first but quickly came to enjoy it and by the finish was certain no one else could have done it so well.

this is one that will stay with me I think.

one that stays with you

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A well researched look into the story of the Donner-Reed Party seen through the lens of Sarah Graves for the most part. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Outstanding!

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An incredible story! A harrowing but equally fascinating story about Sarah Graves and her family's time passing over the Sierra Nevada's toward California. Beautifully written and lovely narration.

Would highly recommend to anyone!

Excellent!

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Well told story of a tragic event in American History. The reader made you appreciate the hardships these people went through.

Tragic story you won’t forget

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Fascinating - I just wanted to leave that word as it really encompasses it but audible says I need 15 words.

Fascinating

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This goes into much more detail than I was expecting, and it made it a richer story. It does start slow, but as it is going into so much detail, it gives you all the information on everything that led to the infamous event.

I would definitely listen to it again

Incredibly in-depth look at The Donner Party

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loved it. Well narrated and very informative and covers a lot of details you don't get from other sources.

excellent

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This may sound silly, but: The Indifferent Stars Above has made me delve and rethink on the tragedies and horrors written in Cormac McCarthy's, 'The Road'. I would have never thought a nonfiction biographical account of an emigrating wagon party would reshape my thoughts on horror novels involving post-apocalyptic survival or even made me rethink the potential of what a zombie might actually be.

For my horror enthusiasts: I urge you to read this for the way it may make you look at and interpret the existence of humanity and the extent of which people will go to in order to survive. There is tragedy in this book I would never have thought possible and which still haunts me. This book has humbled and terrified me.

Superhumanly inhuman accounts of tragic survival.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.