In 1844, two years before the Donner Party, the Stephens-Murphy-Townsend company leaves Missouri to be the first wagons into California through the Sierra Nevada. They enjoy a safe journey--until October, when a fierce mountain snowstorm forces difficult decisions.
The party separates in three directions. Some go overland around Lake Tahoe. Others stay to guard the heaviest wagons. The rest of the party, including eight women and seventeen children, huddle in a makeshift cabin at the headwaters of the Yuba River awaiting rescue. The months ahead will be long and at times terrifying. But with friendship, family, and enough courage to overcome their fear, these intrepid pioneers will discover what truly matters in times of trial.
This book keeps you on your toes the whole time, but more so when the party splits up into three. It makes you wonder the whole time why they put themselves through so much. I found the courage especially of the women was remarkable. The men, or should I say some of the men, were so selfish. I guess back in the 1800's the attitude the men had towards women was different and this book highlighted that.
As well as enjoying reading the actual book, I found the author's notes and acknowledgments as interesting and answered some of the questions I had. My only negative with the book, is trying to keep track of all the characters, as there are many characters in the book and it did get confusing from time to time remembering who was who.
I loved how Jane managed to weave the actual real events into a fictional book.
Stars out of 5 : 4.5 Loved this book through and through. Just found it difficult remembering who was who. Well worth the read.
****I BORROWED THIS BOOK FROM MY LOCAL LIBRARY****
