I had never heard of the Donner Party nor knew anything about another way to travel west besides the Oregon Trail. So, when I sat down with this book, I had no expectations besides being entertained. I didn't expect Tamsen Donner to catch my heart and hold it through her journal entries and letters to her sister. My heart went out to the families and men that traveled in the party, and every time one died, I could feel the heartbreak and mounting concern that each one brought, as if I, too, was traveling with them. Tamsen was a strong and courageous voice that had such spirit and dignity, even in times when she felt her hope dwindling.

Gabrielle Burton gave Tamsen such a powerful voice. One, that I'm sure, captured the essence of who Tamsen was. I was impressed by how much research went into this novel, and how Gabrielle spent time on the same trail to get the feel of what it must have been like for the Donners. This was an amazing book and a fantastic piece of historical fiction that should be read by everyone. Impatient with Desire is a masterful piece of work that captures the pioneer spirit and brings to light the sacrifice, commitment and disappointments each adventurer had to endure. I look forward to reading more by this author!

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I was a little disappointed in this book. I have read a lot about the Donner Party (and even took a college class, which included a field trip to the sites in and around Truckee where they spent the winter) and even with that knowledge I had a difficult time following the story in this book. The story bounces around and is, at least to my mind, rather cryptic at times. If a reader is not familiar with the details of the history of the Donner Party, I think it would be extremely difficult to figure out what was going on. Still, it gives some interesting insights into what it must have been like to be trapped for so long without hope of rescue and without the food to feed one's children. A fascinating study of the human spirit.

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