The Martin Handcart Tragedy of 1856 And Should We Die

Arthur Ruger

The author of this book is most interesting. At first review, his book is a cross between a fictionalized account of an unfathomable tragedy and a journal kept along the trail. He grew up as a Latter Day Saint, but now embraces the faith only as a part of his culture and heritage. He always had a love for writing. As I read his introduction, I can relate. He writes meaningful historical fiction at the same time he is working out the pains of his knowledge of life’s incidents with words.” He cried tears as he wrote. He cried tears as he shared his story with his wife. Time passed swiftly and the story continued to elicit strong feelings. The handcart tragedies were tragedies indeed. But fiction is not just for the good times, so we must wipe those tears away and tell the tale. I look forward to this writer’s take on the handcart tragedies.