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True Sisters

3.63 of 5 stars 3.63 · rating details · 1,258 ratings · 385 reviews

In a novel based on true events, New York Times bestselling author Sandra Dallas delivers the story of four women---seeking the promise of salvation and prosperity in a new land---who come together on a harrowing journey.

In 1856, Mormon converts, encouraged by Brigham Young himself, and outfitted with two-wheeled handcarts, set out on foot from Iowa City to Salt Lake City,...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published April 24th 2012 by St. Martin's Press (first published April 1st 2012)

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Apr 23, 2013 Rcpgpugh rated it 1 of 5 stars

Hmmm. I am still processing how I feel about this book. My negative thoughts are-the women were portrayed without animation. Just flat faced, opressed women with the inability to think for themselves. The men were portrayed as overbearing, unkind, pompous "leaders" of their families. I realize that men were more domineering in those times, and women more submissive; but this was excessive,and possibly demeaning,to these people who suffered so much for their beliefs. I was also surprised at some...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Michele rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-of-2013

You've got to hand it her, really. It is a tricky subject and to take on something like this is pretty daring, I thought. As someone who was just on this very trail, last summer, I thought I would be super critical of this book. I think she did an admirable job. She tried to explain their suffering as well as their faith.

I learned something: On page 280 I thought I found a typo. It says, "Louisa tried to courtesy, but her wet skirts threw her off." I figured this was wrong, but in the dictionar...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Jenn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really loved this book even though it was so, so tragic. Should I admit I cried much more then I probably should have? Sandra Dallas really captured the spirit of the women traveling down a difficult path. I admire the strength, fortitude and courage all the people making a westward migration showed. I can't imagine facing those physical and mental hardships.
The story focuses on a handful of women in the Martin company making the trek across the US to the new LDS zion, the Great Salt Lake in...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Lynn Dolven rated it 4 of 5 stars

I chose this book because the author spoke at the 2012 Kappa Book & Author dinner and her presentation on this book captured my attention. This story chronicles the journey of Mormon converts from the United Kingdom (Scotland and Britain) to the United States, and then by train to Iowa City, where the rail line stopped and the journey on foot with handcarts to Salt Lake City. The story is told from the perspective of the women in the group. The groups who left too late in the summer encounte...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Keilani Ludlow rated it 3 of 5 stars

Better than I expected. Any time someone takes on religious history - when they are not of that belief - then something will always be misunderstood, misrepresented, left out, etc. Since my religion is one that is really hammered and derided by people who apparently have nothing better to do with their life than cut down others, I have come to expect that I will not often enjoy our history as written by someone without the belief and faith.

Ok, so... she did a fairly good job. There are little bi...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Stacey Starley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sandra Dallas is an excellent author and I love her Persian Pickle Club and Prayers for Sale. This novel however is definately a work of fiction not truly a historical fiction. I respected her story and kind portrayal of faith from the pioneers. Unfortunately her sources on the decisions by leaders and communications are innaccurate and take away from my general enjoyment of her novel. All of her characters are loosly based off historical figures but she clearly identifies everyone as fictitious...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Ann Lewis rated it 2 of 5 stars

So last night I finished reading True Sisters by Sandra Dallas. I like Sandra Dallas. I’ve met her personally in Houston at the International Quilt Festival. I’ve enjoyed her books. Fun reads, many have quilt stories in them like the Persian Pickle Club and Alice’s Tulips. When I heard she’d written a book about the Martin Handcart Company, I immediately ordered it. Hardback, full price, well, Amazon.com price. I was excited to read it. I inserted it into my list of books I must read now pile, r...more So last night I finished reading True Sisters by Sandra Dallas. I like Sandra Dallas. I’ve met her personally in Houston at the International Quilt Festival. I’ve enjoyed her books. Fun reads, many have quilt stories in them like the Persian Pickle Club and Alice’s Tulips. When I heard she’d written a book about the Martin Handcart Company, I immediately ordered it. Hardback, full price, well, Amazon.com price. I was excited to read it. I inserted it into my list of books I must read now pile, right at the top and got started. That was several weeks ago. I really tried to like the book. I made the effort, but I just kept putting it down. It doesn’t usually take me more than a month to finish a book. It’s usually something I do in a day or two. So why was this book so hard to get through?

Sandra Dallas wanted to write a story about the Mormon women who came west in the Martin Handcart Company. She wanted to tell how brave and strong they were. I immediately thought of Wallace Stegner’s comment about how the Mormon pioneers were stalwart, but the Mormon women were amazing (in the preface to Gathering to Zion). Having read 100s of Nauvoo and Pioneer journals in the last year, I was interested to see how she would portray these women.

Unfortunately, she elevated the women characters in her book at the expense of the men. There were several women in the story who’s lives we followed across the plains and through the snow and horrors of starvation and bitter cold. There were a few tender moments, but I found myself frustrated with her portrayal of the men these women walked beside. Each one had major character flaws. Every single one was exposed in undesirable ways, even to the last sentences of the book. It was as if the only way she could write to elevate the women was by creating flaws for the men. It was unbalanced, unrealistic and uncomfortable. They were bull-headed, rude, lustful, impatient, and unkind. They were or created the problems in every instance. It wore on me. I kept putting the book down, not caring to read on, but I finally did, last night. And then I wanted to tell people, “Read the Actual Accounts.” The story you find there is completely different than what Dallas tries to tell in this book. Besides that, I never once really felt the cold.

I’ve read the real thing, in their actual handwriting, or in transcriptions painstakingly made. They say the book is usually better than the movie. I say the journals are always better than the books. Such was the case here. Don’t bother with this book, read the real thing.
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Sep 29, 2012 Vilo rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book by the author of the Persian Pickle Club is a well researched novel about the Martin Company of Mormon Handcart pioneers. As a Mormon I was interested in how the people and their circumstances would be portrayed. Overall I think Ms. Dallas did an excellent job. Historical fiction is not my favorite genre because I constantly distract myself by asking, "Is that what really happened? Would people really have acted like that in those times?" Among my few quibbles with the book were the fa...more This book by the author of the Persian Pickle Club is a well researched novel about the Martin Company of Mormon Handcart pioneers. As a Mormon I was interested in how the people and their circumstances would be portrayed. Overall I think Ms. Dallas did an excellent job. Historical fiction is not my favorite genre because I constantly distract myself by asking, "Is that what really happened? Would people really have acted like that in those times?" Among my few quibbles with the book were the fact that Dallas seemed rather preoccupied with polygamy, given that she herself states that very few people on the trek were involved with that and the fact that a very small percentage of Latter-day Saints even at the time were practicing it. (Polygamy is not a practice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.) However, I can see it would probably have been a concern and it is one of the most peculiar things in our history. The other thing is that several plot threads involved men's treatment of women. Given that it was the 19th century and the problems most societies still have today, I'm sure that in real life there were many examples of attempted male dominance. However, I have a sizable collection of biographies, family stories and personal histories from my Mormon ancestors, some of whom were polygamous, that indicate remarkably egalitarian marriages where things were discussed and prayed over together and the challenges and hardships were met in a spirit of unity. (There were at least two relationships in the book like this.) The last observation I have is that I have noticed in this and many other writings about religious people is that it is hard to capture (and perhaps detect) the strong inner motivations and relationships of people with God. In the book most of the motivation of the people seemed to be directed at the missionaries who had converted the people, or their leaders, rather than their own personal relationships with God and that direct struggle to understand Him and what He asks of them (us). Despite these quibbles, I feel that Sandra Dallas has achieved her goal of showing the strength of what historian Wallace Stegner calls the "incredible" Mormon women. (less)

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Sep 05, 2012 Christine Rebbert rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't know what made me pick up this book from the "New Fiction" section at the library -- after all, the spine just has the title and a little tiny picture of what appear to be Pioneers -- but am very glad I did! These are not just any pioneers, but the Martin Handcart Company of 1856, making their way across 1300 miles from Iowa City to the Great Salt Lake to share Zion with their Mormon sisters and brothers. I have done other reading about the Handcart treks, both fiction and non- -- Wallac...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Being a Mormon I am well aquatinted with the pioneer parts of church history. I found myself comparing this book to Gerald Lund's book, The Fire and the Covenant. Both books are excellent, and evoke an array of emotions within me. I cry while reading about the horrific conditions these early saints endured, and I feel guilty for snuggling in my warm bed, while my food cooks in the oven. I enjoyed the story of these women (and their families), and how their lives intertwine. I am impressed that...more Being a Mormon I am well aquatinted with the pioneer parts of church history. I found myself comparing this book to Gerald Lund's book, The Fire and the Covenant. Both books are excellent, and evoke an array of emotions within me. I cry while reading about the horrific conditions these early saints endured, and I feel guilty for snuggling in my warm bed, while my food cooks in the oven. I enjoyed the story of these women (and their families), and how their lives intertwine. I am impressed that the author (a non-member) is able to accurately depict their lives and situations, while guessing at what their feelings might be. I felt that the author left out many of the positive aspects of this journey, but focused more on the criticism. It brought to mind a quote I once read...

Some years after the Martin company made their journey to Salt Lake City, a teacher in a Church class commented how foolish it was for the Martin company to come across the plains when it did. The teacher criticized the Church leaders for allowing a company to make such a journey without more supplies and protection.

An old man sitting in the classroom listened for a few moments and then spoke out, asking that the criticism be stopped. He said, “Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it. … We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that company ever apostatized or left the Church, because everyone of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with him in our extremities [difficulties].

“I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. … I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.

“Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company” (quoted in David O. McKay, “Pioneer Women,” p. 8; emphasis in original).

All in all, it was an enjoyable piece of historical fiction.
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Aug 21, 2012 Eileen rated it 3 of 5 stars

"Goodread" about the enduring spirit, courage and influence of women in the epics of history. These women will be added my list of heroines.

I most appreciate Dallas' research and advice from noted Mormon historians and her access to letters and journals.

She caused me to rethink events of the 'Handcart movements'. I had a superficial view of these pioneers and certainly plan to read a few of Dallas' references.

I did pull my atlas from the shelf and looked at the path of the 'trek' west. I think...more

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Aug 15, 2012 MaryLynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

This fictional account of the Martin handcart company of 1856 was hard to read. It was well written, interesting, and almost entirely historically accurate. But it made me uncomfortable. Ahead of time, I thought it would make me uncomfortable because I knew a lot of people would die, and those who didn't die came very close and had life long disabilities because of their struggles. But the author handled that aspect of the ill-fated Martin company well. What made me uncomfortable were some of th...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another book club selection. Very well done and worth a read. It's a historical fiction that gives a general acount of the 1856 Martin Handcart Company, a group of new Mormon converts (and immigrants) who walk mor than 1,000 miles from Iowa City to Salt Lake City. The story is told from the perspective of four of the women taking the ill-fated journey. The author doesn't spend a lot of time dabbling in the specifics of Mormon doctrine, but does an excellent job (I think) examining some of the em...more Another book club selection. Very well done and worth a read. It's a historical fiction that gives a general acount of the 1856 Martin Handcart Company, a group of new Mormon converts (and immigrants) who walk mor than 1,000 miles from Iowa City to Salt Lake City. The story is told from the perspective of four of the women taking the ill-fated journey. The author doesn't spend a lot of time dabbling in the specifics of Mormon doctrine, but does an excellent job (I think) examining some of the emotional and psychological aspects involved in a journey made by those who are promised not only a better spiritual life, but a better living in land they've never seen. The narrative shows the strength and courage that these women had (and needed) to survive a harsh, desparate journey, after everything else has been taken from them. But I also see this as a tragic story about what can happen when even good-intentioned religious leaders use faith as a means to coax (manipulate, coerce) their followers to sacrifice everything, even their lives, to fuflill another's cause. According to this account, dozens of immigrant converts suffered and died during this trip through the mountains at the onset of winter. Some lost limbs to accidents or frostbite. Pregnant women gave birth in the fields to children that wouldn't survive the rest of the journey. The travelers were told to give all their wealth to the church and leave all of their possesions behind, because God will provide. At each step of the journey, those who complained about the hardships of illness, fatigue, or hunger, were chastized by their leaders for lacking faith and told to keep moving or be excommunicated from the group. They were told that the Prophet (Brigham Young) said that only the pure of heart would make it to the Promised Land. And illness and complaints were apparently a sign of impurity. There are points in the narrative where even some of the leaders begin to doubt there own judgment in forcing the company to move forward after so many were left dead or ill. But they continued and they continued to chastize the followers to have more faith and live. And we are left to wonder, was their committment really a reflection of a faith in God, or were they being led more directly by their own arrogance, as they hoped to gain and maintain favor in the church and with the prophet? (less)

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Jul 15, 2012 Katharine rated it 2 of 5 stars

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. If I hadn't, I probably wouldn't have read this book, just because it doesn't follow my usual teen-beach read genre. That said, I was a little leery to start this book.

In the end, I'm glad I read it. The book profiles the journey of several "sisters" in a clan (a community in the early Mormon religion) as they travel across the west with their hand carts. The idea itself is very interesting. Few people actually know how the Mormon religion spread its root...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Georgia Herod rated it 5 of 5 stars

Based on true events related to the Martin Handcart Company, the last of the handcart groups to make the crossing from Iowa City to Salt Lake City, under the encouragement of Brigham Young, Dallas presents the venture through an omniscient narrator who focuses on the lives of four women—who are seeking the promise of salvation and prosperity in a new land. It turns out to be a most harrowing journey, with disease, deprivation, discouragement and despair, as well as death being their companions w...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Lori Bond rated it 1 of 5 stars

I had a very hard time reading this book. It was well written as far as a fictional novel goes I suppose. I struggled with the authors point of view on the LDS pioneer women who made the trek across the west to Zion. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this is not a correct view of the sisters who made this journey. My spirit felt offended for them. I have read journal accounts for one of the families she depicts in her book. The sister laid next to her husband who had...more

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Jun 01, 2012 Rrshively rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book doesn't just tell about the handcart immigrants on the Mormon Trail, but it makes a novel out of the Martin group, the last group to leave Iowa City. Their handcarts were made of green wood as no provision had been made for them by the church. They are forewarned of danger from the very beginning because they started so late. They fortify themselves with the faith that if they hold fast to their Mormon beliefs, God will protect them. Promises have been made that supplies have been situ...more

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May 13, 2012 Cornelia rated it 4 of 5 stars

This historical fiction novel is set in 1856 when Mormon converts from Scotland and England risk their lives to walk 1,300-miles from Iowa City to Zion, the promised land of Salt Lake City pushing handcarts with few supplies, little food, and in a horrible snowstorm, even fording dangerous ice cold rivers. They try to keep their faith and their spirits up but very few survive. This book focuses on four very different women who make this journey.

The book discloses that promises were made that we...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Truthfully, I don’t know much about Mormons. I mean, I know the history of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and I’ve heard a lot about Utah and polygamy, but on the whole, I don’t know what it means to be a Mormon. That said, Sandra Dallas’s True Sisters (a Goodreads Giveaway) took me back in time to 1856, when the religion was still new, to make an extraordinary and perilous journey with several families and gave me an incredible glimpse into the sacrifices made and determination shared by these...more Truthfully, I don’t know much about Mormons. I mean, I know the history of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and I’ve heard a lot about Utah and polygamy, but on the whole, I don’t know what it means to be a Mormon. That said, Sandra Dallas’s True Sisters (a Goodreads Giveaway) took me back in time to 1856, when the religion was still new, to make an extraordinary and perilous journey with several families and gave me an incredible glimpse into the sacrifices made and determination shared by these early converts to Mormonism.

The novel focuses on the real-life Martin Company, a group of around 650 individuals who signed up to push handcarts from Iowa City to Salt Lake City, a journey of around 1300 miles—through scorching prairie, over treacherous rivers, and across frigid mountains. The goal was an escape from religious persecution and the hope of a fresh start in a new land (most of the converts had come from Europe). Although the journey itself was fraught with danger and physical and mental challenges, what makes this novel so memorable is the persistence and courage these families show in the face of so many setbacks.

Dallas focuses primarily on the stories of four women, but the book includes a cast of characters who are so real, I found myself crying in places—out of sadness, frustration, and even hope. Once I got into the book, I couldn’t set it down because I had to know how these families would do in the journey; would they turn around? Would they winter at one of the many stopping places along the way? Would they press on to Zion? Would they die along the way? Dallas writes these characters in such a way that none of them are stereotypical or flat in any way; rather, they reveal themselves as deeply attached to their families, their religion (most of them anyway), and their goal—just as so many women of every generation are. This book may be about a Mormon handcart company, but the struggles of these families will resonate in symbolic fashion with so many readers.

This is the first book of Sandra Dallas I have read and the first book focused on the Mormon pilgrimage I’ve read as well. However, it has made me want to continue with both. True Sisters took me far beyond what I knew of Mormonism (think Sister Wives and Mitt Romney) to a group of women who struggled through an incredible journey, unsure what they would learn about themselves or even if they would survive. That’s amazing courage!
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Aug 20, 2012 Shauna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sandra Dallas is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I was surprised and a little nervous to see that she had a new book based on the Martin Handcart company. I had never read a book about this historical event that wasn't written by a Mormon. I was impressed that most of her information was historically correct. I have to say that I did not like the way she made the leaders and the men in general to be only interested in taking a polygamous wife. Polygamy was a part of life for the e...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Terri Tinkel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family, history

In 1844, Brigham Young of the LDS church encouraged groups of people to travel across the country...and in some cases...to travel from the British Isles and Scandinvia to Salt Lake City, Utah to create a new community of Mormons. Most of the Europeans could not afford $300 to buy a covered wagon so Brigham Young decided they could travel with a handcart pulling and pushing it with their belongings across the United States. This book is based on those facts. The author created ficticious characte...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sandra Dallas is the queen of storytelling and her newest work, True Sisters, is no exception. True Sisters follows the Martin Handcart Company. Brigham Young encouraged all of his followers to come to the Zion, a place in Salt Lake City, Utah where they will settle. The perfect way for the Mormon's to travel the thirteen hundred plus miles is by walking, using a handcart to carry their essentials.

Many Latter Day Saints crossed oceans to go to the promised land, and they converged to travel toge...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Michele rated it 2 of 5 stars

I really enjoy historical fiction and this book was about a time I had never read about before. It takes place in the 1850s when groups of Mormons literally pushed handcarts from Iowa City to Salt Lake City. This book is about the hardships these people, particularly the females, endure. The author shows the strengths and bonds of these women and what they do for their families and each other during this time. This particular group, or company, as they are referred as in the book, started for Sa...more

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May 23, 2012 Lisa Gricius rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sandra Dallas' True Sisters was a captivating read. I love reading about historical events I have no prior knowledge of and immersing myself into the emotions and experiences of those who have gone before me. Author Sandra Dallas has created a rich, vibrant novel based on the Martin Handcart Company, the last emigrants to leave by foot on a harrowing 1,300 mile-journey from Iowa City to Salt Lake City outfitted with only two-wheeled handcarts through treachorous conditions. In 1856, these Mormon...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Tamra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Not a TRUE 4 star, more like 3&1/2 to 3&3/4. But I love Sandra Dallas so I'm starring up instead of down. It took a little bit to get into the book but once I did it was good, maybe more compelling would be the word. The topic matter: The Martin Handcart Company and some of the Sisters who were on trail. Sandra (that's what I call her now because I figure she'd want me to, what with all her books I've read and all the trials we've been through together). She did her homework and was pre...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, own, vine

This was an incredibly fascinating, if devastating aspect of Mormon history. I was previously unaware of the disastrous hand-cart campaign that facilitated converts to migrate from Iowa to Salt Lake City, specifically the Martin Company, which left too late in the season. This group encountered perilous conditions along the way. Forced to abandon their belongings, debilitated by lack of supplies, and decimated by the frigid temperatures, they endured atrocious hardships.

The novel focuses on a ha...more This was an incredibly fascinating, if devastating aspect of Mormon history. I was previously unaware of the disastrous hand-cart campaign that facilitated converts to migrate from Iowa to Salt Lake City, specifically the Martin Company, which left too late in the season. This group encountered perilous conditions along the way. Forced to abandon their belongings, debilitated by lack of supplies, and decimated by the frigid temperatures, they endured atrocious hardships.

The novel focuses on a handful of women and their families, all whom suffer horrendous losses. Their faith is tested as they watch their families starve, lose their limbs to frostbite, or end up in mass graves. They find their former zealousness for the new religion wavering as they realize the leaders are at fault for the poor planning of their journey. Many of the women are even more deterred by the idea of polygamy and they are forced to ask some serious questions about the foundation of their faith. I especially liked Anne, whose husband was a convert, but she had enough common sense to doubt the doctrine that her fellow travelers so passionately believed in. Though she appreciates their compassion and generosity, she cannot put her belief in this faith that has taken so much away from her. The leaders are determined that the sins of the travelers are to blame for their misfortune, claiming that God is testing them. They leave no room for compassion and tolerance, which leads many of them to lose their fervor for Mormonism.

There were some very strong characters, especially the women who seem to have more strength than many of the men. There are some despicable characters among the men who are overly righteous and quick to chastise. The dialogue was a bit cumbersome at some times, as the author tries to convey different dialects, which is not always effective. There were a few minor flaws, but overall, I found this to be a great depiction of a sad and bizarre chapter in American history.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Amazon Vine program.(less)

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Jun 28, 2012 Regina Spiker rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: lds, mormons, handcarts, emigrants, saints

True Sisters is a piece of historical fiction – building on the true arduous journey of Mormon converts who immigrated to America and pushed their handcarts from Utah City to Salt Lake City, some 1300 miles. Why handcarts? Smaller and easier than large, cumbersome wagons, it was thought by Mormon leaders that the walk would also strengthen the LDS convert’s bodies and faith by the time they reached the celestial city. The Martin Company left late in the year with unstable carts made of green woo...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Kristi rated it 3 of 5 stars

As I have mentioned before, I am a Mormon. I have read and heard many stories about the Martin Handcart Company. The author added fictional sisters to an actual event. I liked how she was able to keep me interested in her story, even though It is an event I have read and heard so much about. I read this book for a book club. It is not necessarily a book I would have read otherwise. So many things I didn't like. She put thoughts and feelings into her characters that assumed all of the people felt...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Stacee rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have been a fan of Sandra Dallas for quite some time. I love women's history and I love the pioneer theme. I was excited to learn Dallas wrote a book about my own people, the Mormon pioneers, from the women's perspective. Since I am a history graduate and have studied Mormon pioneers extensively, I was anxious to read Sandra Dallas' take. Honestly, I was a little worried. The book is well researched and handles the trek and handcart experience very well. However, from my insiders' perspective,...more

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May 14, 2012 Sharon Galligar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Crafting her novel from a historical standpoint, author Sandra Dallas documents the lives of four women on the Mormon trail with the infamous Handcart companies in her book, “True Sisters.”

The story follows Jessie, a hardworking farm girl and her two brothers, as they hope to build a successful farm in the promise land of Utah; Anne, a loyal wife following her husband, who is a devout Mormon; Nannie and Ellie, true sisters, who along with Ellie's husband Andrew are looking to start a new life in...more

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About Sandra Dallas

Award-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.

A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff...more

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