It's a history book! It tells of the journey and hardships of the people of the unfortunate Donner-Reed Wagon train who resorted to cannibalism when they became snowbound in the Sierras on their way to California. It's a cookbook! It contains thirty-six 19th century recipes that might have been used by the people of the Donner Party while on the trail to California. It's a history book. It's a cookbook. It's the Donner Party Cookbook!