Ordeal by Hunger

By: George R. Stewart

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

The tragedy of the Donner party constitutes one of the most amazing stories of the American West. In 1846, 87 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.

©1936 George R. Stewart (P)1996 Blackstone Audiobooks

Excellent if you Really like History...

This is an excellent history with interesting stories and interesting characters. It is VERY detailed. Some may find the detail tedious, I found everything interesting. I have read other histories of these events, and this was the most detailed as well as the most touching.

Hard to imagine

It is hard to imagine of all of the hardships that these people endured. The writer done a great job of researching and getting it down on paper

No hunger puns please

This book was wonderful. The additions made in this 1960's revision made it come alive for me. Virginia's letters at the end put everything in perspective. The narration was excellent.

This book also answered some genealogy questions I had about the people involved. That really made me happy.

Powerful rendering

of an almost unimaginable event in American history.

Would You?... Could You? The Donner Party Had To!

Wow! I felt as if I was right there along with the Donner party, the way that the author, George Stewart, told this story. The book is detailed enough to really “feel it”, but also moves along at a good pace that keep you coming back for more.

I was able to actually envision how the Donner party faced tremendous odds of adversity and had to resort to some of the most unthinkable acts in order to try to survive. Would you?... Could you? Well, if you were facing these odds… you just might!

If you’re looking for a really good, true story, adventure book, this is the one for you!

Very dated

While this is a very well researched and detailed account of the Donner Party, I have to give it a rather low rating because the writing style is so dated. First published in 1936 it is understandable that the writing style would be different, but for such interesting subject matter the writing is unbelievable dry. And racist...so there's that too.

This edition includes a very self-congragilitory afterwards (written in 1960) pointing out all the areas where other texts about the Donner Party differ from his account and why he is actually right. (Really? Is this necessary?) It also includes the full text of Patrick Breen's diary, James Reed's diary, and Virginia Reed's letters.

Additionally, it is read by Jeff Riggenbach. Imagine the most boring history lecturer you have ever had to listen to drone on, making fascinating and exciting material seem as interesting as watching paint dry. That's Jeff Riggenbach.

Great story. Horrible narration.

What did you like best about Ordeal by Hunger? What did you like least?

I could not finish the book. The narrator's habit of taking a HUGE audible breath before each cadence or sentence became nauseating.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's habit of taking a HUGE audible breath before each cadence or sentence became nauseating.

Any additional comments?

If you like the Donner story, stick with the audible book, DESPARATE PASSAGE.

Comprehensive!

Very pleasing presentation and a comprehensive account of the Donner Party backed with primary sources.

Life Changing

This book can be summed up in one word: WOW!

Any problems you think you have just pale in comparison to what the Donner and Reed emigrant party suffered through in the winter of 1846-47. This story will haunt you and can almost be life changing. It really puts priorities in perspective.

My only complaint with this audio book would be in the sound editing of the narrator's recording. Pauses (short gaps of silence) were apparently added between many of the paragraphs breaking up their natural flow. They're a tad annoying and unnecessary.

The narrators reading was otherwise most excellent.

I loved the book!

good book

it was a very good book.
I read it in print before, but it was nice to listen to some one else read it