Narcissa Whitman and her husband, Marcus, went to Oregon as missionaries in 1836, accompanied by the Reverend Henry Spalding and his wife, Eliza. It was, as Narcissa wrote, “an unheard of journey for females.” Narcissa Whitman kept a diary during the long trip from New York and continued to write about her rigorous and amazing life at the Protestant mission near present-day Walla Walla, Washington. Her words convey her complex humanity and devotion to the Christian conversion and welfare of the Indians. Clifford Drury sketches in the circumstances that, for the Whitmans, resulted in tragedy. Eliza Spalding, equally devout and also artistic, relates her experiences in a pioneering venture. Drury also includes the diary of Mary Augusta Dix Gray and a biographical sketch of Sarah Gilbert White Smith, later arrivals at the Whitman mission.

Four women seeking the promise of salvation and prosperity in a new land.

An acclaimed historian’s “compellingly told” year-by-year account of the pioneering efforts to conquer the American West in the mid-nineteenth century (The Guardian). In all the sagas of human migration, few can top the drama of the journey by Midwestern farmers to Oregon and California from 1840 to 1849—between the era of the fur trappers and the beginning of the gold rush. Even with mountain men as guides, these pioneers literally plunged into the unknown, braving all manner of danger, including hunger, thirst, disease, and drowning. Employing numerous illustrations and extensive primary sources, including original diaries and memoirs, McLynn underscores the incredible heroism and dangerous folly on the overland trails. His authoritative narrative investigates the events leading up to the opening of the trails, the wagons and animals used, the roles of women, relations with Native Americans, and much else. The climax arrives in McLynn’s expertly re-created tale of the dreadful Donner party, and he closes with Brigham Young and the Mormons beginning communities of their own. Full of high drama, tragedy, and triumph, “rarely has a book so wonderfully brought to life the riveting tales of Americans’ trek to the Pacific” (Publishers Weekly).

Call the kids, grab the picnic basket, and load up the wagon for this colorful salute to the great American family hauler. The entire evolution of the station wagon is examined, from the "depot hacks" that shuttled passengers to their trains in the 1920s to today's popular SUVs and minivans. The emphasis, however, is decidedly on the fantastic classics that came into their own during the postwar boom of the 1950s and '60s, including the Chevrolet Nomad, Pontiac Safari, Studebaker Wagonaire, and Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. Also included are beautiful woodys from several manufacturers and rare wagons from bygon manufacturers like Packard. The wonderful images in this nostalgic, one-of-a-kind history include period color photography, fascinating print advertisements, and exclusive modern color photographs of lovingly restored wagons.