Michael Wallis es un autor bestseller especializado en historia y leyendas estadounidenses. Sus obras exploran a menudo figuras y viajes icónicos, demostrando una profunda comprensión del folclore estadounidense y su impacto perdurable. El estilo narrativo de Wallis da vida al pasado, ofreciendo a los lectores una visión cautivadora de la cultura estadounidense.
The narrative explores the rich history of Los Luceros, set against the backdrop of Northern New Mexico from its earliest inhabitants to modern times. It highlights significant figures like Mary Cabot Wheelwright and notable visitors such as Georgia O'Keeffe and D. H. Lawrence. The centerpiece is an 18th-century adobe hacienda, recently renovated and recognized as a historic site. The book features contemporary photography and historic images, capturing the evolution of the property and its cultural significance, while Wallis shares his personal connection to Los Luceros through years of visits and research.
"'Westward ho! For Oregon and California!' In the eerily warm spring of 1846, George Donner placed this advertisement in a local newspaper as he and a restless caravan prepared for what they hoped would be the most rewarding journey of a lifetime. But in eagerly pursuing what would a century later become known as the "American dream," this optimistic-yet-motley crew of emigrants was met with a chilling nightmare; in the following months, their jingoistic excitement would be replaced by desperate cries for help that would fall silent in the deadly snow-covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada. We know these early pioneers as the Donner Party, a name that has elicited horror since the late 1840s. Now, historian Michael Wallis continues his life's work of parsing fact from fiction to tell the true story of one of the most embroidered sagas in Western history. Wallis begins the story in 1846, a momentous "year of decision" for the nation, when incredible territorial strides were being made in Texas, New Mexico, and California. Against this dramatic backdrop, an unlikely band of travelers appeared, stratified in age, wealth, education and ethnicity. At the forefront were the Donners: brothers George and Jacob, true sons of the soil determined to tame the wild land of California; and the Reeds, headed by adventurous, business-savvy patriarch James. In total, the Donner-Reed group would reach eighty-seven men, women, and children, and though personal motives varied--bachelors thirsting for adventure, parents wanting greater futures for their children--everyone was linked by the same unwavering belief that California was theirs for the taking. Skeptical of previous accounts of how the group ended up in peril, Wallis has spent years retracing its ill-fated journey, uncovering hundreds of new documents that illuminate how a combination of greed, backbiting, and recklessness led the group to become hopelessly snowbound at the infamous Donner Pass in present-day California. Climaxing with the grim stories of how the party's paltry rations soon gave way to unimaginable hunger, Wallis not only details the cannibalism that has in perpetuity haunted their legacy but also the heroic rescue parties that managed to reach the stranded, only to discover that just forty-eight had survived the ordeal. An unflinching and historically invaluable account of the darkest side of Manifest Destiny, The Best Land Under Heaven offers a brilliant, revisionist examination of one of America's most calamitous and sensationalized catastrophes."--Publisher's description
This acclaimed work has garnered multiple prestigious awards, including the Spur Award, Western Heritage Award, and the Oklahoma Book Award. It showcases a compelling narrative that highlights the rich traditions and culture of the American West, intertwining historical elements with engaging storytelling. The author's skillful portrayal of characters and their journeys resonates with themes of resilience, honor, and the spirit of the frontier.
Life on the American prairies is vividly portrayed through a deeply sympathetic lens, capturing the rich tapestry of experiences and emotions of its inhabitants. The narrative immerses readers in the unique landscape and culture, highlighting the challenges and beauty of prairie life. Through colorful descriptions and engaging storytelling, the book offers an intimate glimpse into the resilience and spirit of those who call the vast plains home.
