The tragedy of the Donner party constitutes one of the most amazing stories of the American West. In 1846 eighty-seven people-men, women, and children-set out for California and were persuaded to attempt a new overland route. After struggling across the desert, losing many oxen, and nearly dying of thirst, they reached the very summit of the Sierras only to be trapped by blinding snow and bitter storms. Many perished; some survived by resorting to cannibalism; all were subjected to unbearable suffering. Incorporating the diaries of the survivors and other contemporary documents, George Stewart wrote the definitive history of that ill-fated band of pioneers-an astonishing account of what human beings may endure and achieve in the final press of circumstance. Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Track 4 Track 5 Track 6 Track 7 Track 8 Track 9 Track 10 Track 11 Track 12 Track 13 Track 14 Track 15 Track 16 Track 17 Track 18 Track 19 Track 20 Track 21 Track 22 Track 23 Track 24 Track 25 Track 26 Track 27 Track 28 Track 29 Track 30 Track 31 Track 32 Track 33 Track 34 Track 35 Track 36 Track 37 Track 38 Track 39 Track 40 Track 41 "Ordeal by Hunger is compulsive reading-a wonderful account, both scholarly and gripping, of a horrifying episode in the history of the west." "Excellent." "The tale comes to life in horror and tragedy. Stewart writes swiftly, surely, dramatically, and with impartial accuracy. Almost every member of the party is re-created with skill and sympathy." "Expertly read by Jeff Riggenbach, the tale retains its freshness and power 150 years later. Riggenbach reads the stark story with authority, clarity and richness." "Riggenbach's professional, unvoiced presentation provides the appropriately serious reactions and allows the listener to deal with the facts with compassion. Although grisly, the account is sympathetic and not ghoulish. Carefully researched, it illustrates how unbelievably strong the will to survive is."
