Reflections on the Donner Party

The Best Land Under Heaven

MICHAEL WALLIS AND BERNARD DEVOTO ENLIVEN THE DONNER PARTY AND MANIFEST DESTINY In The Best Land Under Heaven, Wallis recounts the history of the Donner party, an easily followed trail most of the way. The winter of 1846-47 came early around Truckee (later Donner) Lake, the snow there reaching several feet early in November—at least […]