Reading the West Book Club

About this event

Join us for Reading the West Book Club on Tuesday, December 1st at 6 pm in the Fort Caspar Museum for an engaging discussion focused on the history, culture, and stories of the American West. This monthly book club brings readers together to explore both fiction and nonfiction that illuminate the people and events that shaped the region, with plenty of time for thoughtful conversation and shared perspectives. This month we will be discussing "Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West" by Ethan Rarick. In late 1846, the last wagon train of that year's westward migration stopped overnight before continuing on it's path over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, unaware of the approaching storm. 81 people were trapped there, stuck in a brutal winter with little food and primitive shelter. By the spring, they became one of the most famous and harrowing examples of the extremes of human survival. Drawing on fresh archaeological evidence, Ethan Rarick creates an intimate portrait of what happened to this forsaken group of travelers, and aims to dismiss notions of heroism and villainy often shared in earlier accounts of their story. Free copies of the book are available to pick up at the Library before the discussion, while supplies last. All adults are welcome to attend, whether you are a longtime book club member or new to the group. Call 577.7323 for more information.