Sarah Graves

“The Indifferent Stars Above” is an ideal pairing of talent and material."

---Mary Roach, The New York Times Book Review


"...a remarkable book...hard to put down..."

--The Seattle Times


"A supple, readable, and well-researched narrative...Never melodramatic or maudlin, Brown's work gracefully balances graphic depictions of extreme privation with humanizing glimpses of the emigrants' everyday hopes and fears. Brown also skillfully weaves relevant historical, cultural, and scientific information into his chronicle, creating a rich and contextualized background. Likely to appeal to true adventure and history fans..."

--Ingrid Levin, Library Journal


"Brown delivers a skillful, suspenseful study of the Donner party...a moving man-against-nature tragedy that still resonates today."

--Kirkus Reviews


"One of my favorite books of the spring season, the newest offering from Daniel James Brown stands out as a blend of history, science and great writing. The Donner Party stands out in American history as a tale that has taken on almost mythic proportions. Unfortunately, much of what happened is either mistold and simply unknown. Brown rectifies this oversight in his excellent new book.

--Chris Replen
Bookseller


"A compelling retelling of the ghastly events surrounding the Donner party. Daniel James Brown, using one survivor’s experience as his focus, moves beyond the cardboard figures depicted in previous accounts and shows how the lucky few endured and survived."

— Irvin Molotsky, author of THE FLAG, THE POET AND THE SONG: THE STORY OF THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

The Indifferent Stars Above

* An "Indie Next Notable Pick" (Association of American Booksellers)

* A New York Times "Editor's Pick" (May 10, 2009)

* A Featured Alternate Selection for the following book clubs: Book of the Month Club, The History Book Club, Quality Paperback Book Club, The Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, and BOMC2.

* Now available in a large-print paperback edition and various electronic editions, including Kindle.


The book traces the footsteps of Sarah Graves, a young bride who left her home in Illinois in the spring of 1846, bound for California. Along the way, she and her new husband became members of the notorious and ill-fated Donner Party and ran into a world of trouble. Sarah's story is among the least known but most compelling aspects of the Donner Party tragedy. Library Journal calls THE INDIFFERENT STARS ABOVE "a fresh and intriguing telling."

What makes it so intriguing? Perhaps most importantly the fact that, unlike so many who died while waiting for rescue, Sarah was one of a handful of the Donner Party members who attempted to hike out of the Sierra Nevada to save herself and her family. What transpired during her thirty-two day trek may startle you, may horrify you, or may fill you with admiration for the human spirit.

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Thanks,
DJB