The Indifferent Stars Above

Daniel James Brown talked about the ill-fated Donner Party. This group of emigrants led by George Donner attempted passage of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1846. Enduring heavy snows and without food, fifteen members of the party donned handmade snowshoes and ventured away from camp on a thirty-two day trek to find aid. Seven members of this group reached the other side of the mountains but only after many of the group who died were cannibalized. In his book The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride, published by William Morrow, Mr. Brown departs from the common story of the party by focusing on the life of newly wedded Sarah Graves Fosdick and her husband. Following his remarks, he answered questions from members of the audience. close