Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party Omnibus Edition, Annotated: California's Darkest Winter: True Stories of Hope, Despair, and Survival in the Donner Party Disaster

Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra

180th Anniversary Commemorative Omnibus Edition - Two Landmark Works in One Volume (Paperback & eBook)

In 1846, a group of pioneers heading for California became trapped in the snowbound Sierra Nevada. What followed was one of the most harrowing and tragic episodes in the history of westward expansion: the story of the Donner Party. This special 180th anniversary edition brings together for the first time the two most important and enduring accounts of the tragedy - offering readers a complete picture of the journey, the suffering, and the legacy left behind.

Book One: Across the Plains in the Donner Party by Virginia Reed Murphy

Written by one of the youngest survivors of the expedition, this deeply personal memoir recounts the journey with a clear and compelling voice. Virginia Reed was just twelve years old when her family joined the party, and her recollections-first published decades later-capture both the innocence of youth and the emotional scars of survival. Her account is a powerful piece of American literature that speaks to sacrifice, resilience, and the complexity of memory.

Book Two: History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra by C.F. McGlashan

First published in 1879, this is the first comprehensive historical investigation into the events of the Donner Party. McGlashan interviewed survivors, collected letters, and examined newspaper accounts to reconstruct the journey with journalistic rigor. Far more than a sensational narrative, his work seeks to correct myths, honor the dead, and preserve the lessons of the past for future generations.

Together, these two works present a dual-lens portrait of the Donner Party-one from within, and one from without. The result is a definitive collection that honors those who lived the experience and those who sought to preserve it for history.

Why This Edition Matters:

With the 180th anniversary approaching in 2027, interest in the Donner Party and westward expansion is set to rise. This edition provides the most complete and accessible compilation available-ideal for students, researchers, and general readers. Beyond the story of starvation and survival, this is a chronicle of the American spirit: of what people hope for, endure, and remember.

1148494829
Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party Omnibus Edition, Annotated: California's Darkest Winter: True Stories of Hope, Despair, and Survival in the Donner Party Disaster

Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra

180th Anniversary Commemorative Omnibus Edition - Two Landmark Works in One Volume (Paperback & eBook)

In 1846, a group of pioneers heading for California became trapped in the snowbound Sierra Nevada. What followed was one of the most harrowing and tragic episodes in the history of westward expansion: the story of the Donner Party. This special 180th anniversary edition brings together for the first time the two most important and enduring accounts of the tragedy - offering readers a complete picture of the journey, the suffering, and the legacy left behind.

Book One: Across the Plains in the Donner Party by Virginia Reed Murphy

Written by one of the youngest survivors of the expedition, this deeply personal memoir recounts the journey with a clear and compelling voice. Virginia Reed was just twelve years old when her family joined the party, and her recollections-first published decades later-capture both the innocence of youth and the emotional scars of survival. Her account is a powerful piece of American literature that speaks to sacrifice, resilience, and the complexity of memory.

Book Two: History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra by C.F. McGlashan

First published in 1879, this is the first comprehensive historical investigation into the events of the Donner Party. McGlashan interviewed survivors, collected letters, and examined newspaper accounts to reconstruct the journey with journalistic rigor. Far more than a sensational narrative, his work seeks to correct myths, honor the dead, and preserve the lessons of the past for future generations.

Together, these two works present a dual-lens portrait of the Donner Party-one from within, and one from without. The result is a definitive collection that honors those who lived the experience and those who sought to preserve it for history.

Why This Edition Matters:

With the 180th anniversary approaching in 2027, interest in the Donner Party and westward expansion is set to rise. This edition provides the most complete and accessible compilation available-ideal for students, researchers, and general readers. Beyond the story of starvation and survival, this is a chronicle of the American spirit: of what people hope for, endure, and remember.

9.99 In Stock
Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party Omnibus Edition, Annotated: California's Darkest Winter: True Stories of Hope, Despair, and Survival in the Donner Party Disaster

Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party Omnibus Edition, Annotated: California's Darkest Winter: True Stories of Hope, Despair, and Survival in the Donner Party Disaster

Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party Omnibus Edition, Annotated: California's Darkest Winter: True Stories of Hope, Despair, and Survival in the Donner Party Disaster
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Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party Omnibus Edition, Annotated: California's Darkest Winter: True Stories of Hope, Despair, and Survival in the Donner Party Disaster

Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party Omnibus Edition, Annotated: California's Darkest Winter: True Stories of Hope, Despair, and Survival in the Donner Party Disaster

Overview

Across the Plains in the Donner Party & History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra

180th Anniversary Commemorative Omnibus Edition - Two Landmark Works in One Volume (Paperback & eBook)

In 1846, a group of pioneers heading for California became trapped in the snowbound Sierra Nevada. What followed was one of the most harrowing and tragic episodes in the history of westward expansion: the story of the Donner Party. This special 180th anniversary edition brings together for the first time the two most important and enduring accounts of the tragedy - offering readers a complete picture of the journey, the suffering, and the legacy left behind.

Book One: Across the Plains in the Donner Party by Virginia Reed Murphy

Written by one of the youngest survivors of the expedition, this deeply personal memoir recounts the journey with a clear and compelling voice. Virginia Reed was just twelve years old when her family joined the party, and her recollections-first published decades later-capture both the innocence of youth and the emotional scars of survival. Her account is a powerful piece of American literature that speaks to sacrifice, resilience, and the complexity of memory.

Book Two: History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra by C.F. McGlashan

First published in 1879, this is the first comprehensive historical investigation into the events of the Donner Party. McGlashan interviewed survivors, collected letters, and examined newspaper accounts to reconstruct the journey with journalistic rigor. Far more than a sensational narrative, his work seeks to correct myths, honor the dead, and preserve the lessons of the past for future generations.

Together, these two works present a dual-lens portrait of the Donner Party-one from within, and one from without. The result is a definitive collection that honors those who lived the experience and those who sought to preserve it for history.

Why This Edition Matters:

With the 180th anniversary approaching in 2027, interest in the Donner Party and westward expansion is set to rise. This edition provides the most complete and accessible compilation available-ideal for students, researchers, and general readers. Beyond the story of starvation and survival, this is a chronicle of the American spirit: of what people hope for, endure, and remember.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781967659050
Publisher: Capital Books Press
Publication date: 05/27/2025
Series: California History Series , #2
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 334
File size: 11 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Virginia Reed Murphy (1833-1921) was a survivor of the Donner Party and an essential chronicler of one of the most tragic episodes of westward migration in American history. Born on June 23, 1833, in Springfield, Illinois, Virginia was just thirteen years old when she embarked on the perilous journey to California with her parents, James Frazier Reed and Margaret Reed, and her siblings. As the Donner Party became stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the harsh winter of 1846-47, Virginia's resilience and courage helped sustain her family.After surviving the harrowing ordeal and reaching California, Virginia grew to adulthood in San Jose, where her father became a prominent citizen. In 1850, at age seventeen, she married John Marion Murphy, who had also survived the Donner Party tragedy as part of the Murphy family. They built their life together in California, where Virginia became deeply respected in her community.In 1891, Virginia published her influential memoir, Across the Plains in the Donner Party, originally appearing in The Century Magazine. Her vivid personal narrative offers critical firsthand insights into the journey's daily challenges, fears, and acts of bravery, serving as one of the most authentic and moving accounts of the Donner Party experience. Virginia Reed Murphy passed away on February 14, 1921, leaving behind a lasting legacy through her powerful recollections, which continue to illuminate the human dimensions of this historic tragedy.
Charles Fayette McGlashan (1847-1931) was an American journalist, lawyer, historian, and civic leader best known for his authoritative book, History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra. Born on August 12, 1847, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, McGlashan moved west, eventually settling in Truckee, California, in the 1870s.McGlashan became a prominent figure in Truckee, serving as editor of the local newspaper, the Truckee Republican, and actively participating in community affairs. Fascinated by the tragic fate of the Donner Party, which had occurred just decades earlier in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains, McGlashan spent years meticulously researching and documenting their story. He corresponded extensively with survivors and rescuers, gathering firsthand accounts, letters, and diaries.Published in 1879, his book provided one of the first thoroughly researched accounts of the tragedy, combining rigorous historical detail with vivid narrative storytelling. His work has been widely recognized as a significant contribution to California history, and it remains an essential source for understanding the Donner Party disaster.Beyond his historical contributions, McGlashan was deeply involved in local development, politics, and environmental conservation. He advocated for fish and wildlife protection and served in the California State Assembly from 1885 to 1887. Charles Fayette McGlashan passed away on January 6, 1931, in Truckee, leaving a lasting legacy as a historian and community leader who preserved an essential chapter of American pioneer history.
Ross Allen Rojek is a historian, editor, and publisher dedicated to preserving and revitalizing California's rich literary and historical heritage. As the co-founder and editorial director of Capital Books and Capital Books Press in Sacramento, California, Ross leads a team that brings forgotten voices and essential primary sources back into public view, with a particular focus on California history and culture. He is instrumental in republishing classic works such as The Expedition of the Donner Party and Its Tragic Fate and History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra, providing historical context and educational tools for modern readers.
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