"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."KLIATT

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, 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.

San Francisco's Jeff Riggenbach has narrated more than fifty titles for Blackstone Audiobooks. He is an author, contributing editor, and producer and has worked in radio for the last thirty years. He is a recipient of the "Golden Mike" Award for his work in radio.