The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride - Paperback

An Unforgettable Epic of the Donner Party

From the #1 bestselling 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

Sarah Graves and the Donner Party Journey

In April of 1846, twenty-one-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 fourteen others set out for California on snowshoes, and, over the next thirty-two days, endured almost unfathomable hardships and horrors.

Richly Detailed Historical Narrative

In this gripping narrative, New York Times bestselling 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.

This large type edition makes the compelling story accessible to all readers. Brown's meticulous research and narrative skill bring to life the experiences of the Donner Party pioneers, particularly focusing on Sarah Graves' perspective as a young bride facing unimaginable challenges during westward expansion.