West: Journey Across the Plains
Description
2014 Peacemaker Award Finalist for Best Western Novel ... In 1849, over 30,000 pioneers headed West across America to California, another 20,000 by sea. This is the story of one such family, the Jennings from Pittsburgh and their journey West. Pioneers came in droves for the promise of gold – and from every crevice of society – farmers, blacksmiths, immigrants, teachers, thieves and soldiers, lone fortune-seekers, businessmen, and vagabond families – all unprepared and unknowing.
Less than half arrived. Most perished from starvation, disease, or at the hands of others. The remainder turned aside – broken – miles of regret crushing their hearts, their descendants forever severed from their will to discover.
Johnathan Jennings chronicles his travels from Pittsburgh to San Francisco in 1849 to resume his mercantile trade. He brings with him his wife and four children, two yoke of oxen and 2,500 lbs of supplies. But even before they depart Independence Missouri, 17 year old Sarah is struck down by a fever and slips into a coma. Doctors confirm she will die. With his heart asunder, Johnathan Jennings writes in his journal, "I have left too much" as he takes his remaining family West.
Surprisingly, three months later, Sarah lives and begins writing her own journal. To survive, she tells of how she borrows money which unknowingly puts her into servitude at a brothel. As her horror unfolds, separately her father and brother recount their mounting struggles. Their journal entries, letters and postings now woven together, we follow the threads of the Jennings family until their journals and their authors reunite, whatever remains of them, three years later.
Travel with the Jennings while they fight a lawless land, the elements, fate, and their hearts' desire to reclaim their lives – and forge a new path West.
Less than half arrived. Most perished from starvation, disease, or at the hands of others. The remainder turned aside – broken – miles of regret crushing their hearts, their descendants forever severed from their will to discover.
Johnathan Jennings chronicles his travels from Pittsburgh to San Francisco in 1849 to resume his mercantile trade. He brings with him his wife and four children, two yoke of oxen and 2,500 lbs of supplies. But even before they depart Independence Missouri, 17 year old Sarah is struck down by a fever and slips into a coma. Doctors confirm she will die. With his heart asunder, Johnathan Jennings writes in his journal, "I have left too much" as he takes his remaining family West.
Surprisingly, three months later, Sarah lives and begins writing her own journal. To survive, she tells of how she borrows money which unknowingly puts her into servitude at a brothel. As her horror unfolds, separately her father and brother recount their mounting struggles. Their journal entries, letters and postings now woven together, we follow the threads of the Jennings family until their journals and their authors reunite, whatever remains of them, three years later.
Travel with the Jennings while they fight a lawless land, the elements, fate, and their hearts' desire to reclaim their lives – and forge a new path West.
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