Prairie Fires

The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder

By: Caroline Fraser

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 21 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

The first comprehensive historical biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the beloved author of the Little House on the Prairie book series

Millions of fans of Little House on the Prairie believe they know Laura Ingalls - the pioneer girl who survived blizzards and near-starvation on the Great Plains, and the woman who wrote the famous autobiographical books. But the true story of her life has never been fully told. Now, drawing on unpublished manuscripts, letters, diaries, and land and financial records, Caroline Fraser - the editor of the Library of America edition of the Little House series - masterfully fills in the gaps in Wilder's biography, setting the record straight regarding charges of ghostwriting that have swirled around the books and uncovering the grown-up story behind the most influential childhood epic of pioneer life.

Set against nearly a century of epochal change, from the Homestead Act and the Indian Wars to the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Wilder's dramatic life provides a unique perspective on American history and our national mythology of self-reliance. Offering fresh insight and new discoveries about Wilder's life and times, Prairie Fires is the definitive book about Wilder and her world.

Caroline Fraser is the editor of the Library of America edition of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books and the author of Rewilding the World and God's Perfect Child. Her writing has appeared in The New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, and the London Review of Books, among other publications. She lives in New Mexico.

©2017 Caroline Fraser (P)2017 Recorded Books

Interesting history

Interesting for anyone who loves the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This book puts those ( mostly) sweet stories into the larger historical context what was happening in the US. This juxtaposition is the most interesting aspect of the book. If you've read any of the other myriad of books about LIW, there is nothing new here. I thought there was too much time spent on Rose Wilder Lane, Laura's daughter; RWL was a prolific writer and there seems to be plenty of her writing left for posterity. Unfortunately, she doesn't come stress as a sympathetic person, and the sections about her are dull. How much did she "contribute" to her mother's books ? I think each reader will form their own opinion.
Christina Moore is a good narrator for this, straightforward with appropriate inflection.

You get the WHOLE picture of the Prairie

Prairie Fires is a smart biography, setting Laura Ingalls into the REAL History of the lands where they settled while honoring the Originals. Laura’s relationship with daughter Rose throughout their long lives was close but fraught with interdependence. Fascinating.

Not Quite as Good as I Expected

It took me a while but last night I finally finished Prairie Fires. I Liked it but not quite as much as I expected I would. I am am not sure I wanted to know quite so much about who Laura Ingalls really was. I think I would have preferred to have kept the romanticized picture of Laura Ingalls Wilder that has lived in my imagination all these years rather than the real woman. Her books helped me develop a life long love for historical fiction

I thought that the author did a very good job of giving the reader an accurate picture of the places and time in which the books are set. I really loved that about the book. However it’s my opinion the author used up way too many words on her daughter Rose Wilder Lane who was a real piece of work. Another reviewer said all there was to say about her.

Writer’s politics get in the way of a great story

It was a great story, very well researched. The only issue was the writer injecting their own political views throughout the book.

Great book! I learned so much!

this book really helped define the difference between the fiction and nonfiction parts of the stories. And well many stories were Loosely based on facts regardless of a hoe you feel about the Little House books and the adaptation and changes that were made from lawyer original writings the fact is that it got Generations and countries reading that might not have taken the time to read so much because it pulled them in completely.

Informative, Enjoyable

This book can be summed up in one point: Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote historical fiction. Semi-autobiographical, white-wahed, & idealized by both herself & her brilliant editor-daughter. Perfectly appropriate for CHILDREN'S fiction.

Thorough and Engaging

Very detailed background and context of the history that Wilder’s life was set against. Sets the record straight on all of the criticism and praise that the work has inspired, while maintaining high regard and rigor in research. Enjoyed every word of it.

Wonderful

Absolutely wonderful! As a little house fan since 3rd grade I enjoyed this book so much and I learned a lot not only about Laura and her family but history as well.

Riveting and Enlightening

I have always hungered for information about my favorite books growing up. Laura Ingalls Wilder has been my hero most of my life, and here I found a deeply in-depth look at her life, for better or worse. Fascinating historical content, presented in a manner to hold the listener captivated, and asking, "Then what happened?!?"

Outstanding work. Excellent narrator.

Caroline Fraser has separated truth and fiction. She honors Laura Ingalls Wilder and her legacy. This is a must read and listen.