Libertarians on the Prairie at the Guilford Free Library

This myth-busting book finally reveals the true story behind the beloved children’s classics.

Generations of children have fallen in love with the pioneer saga of the Ingalls family. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books have taught millions of Americans about frontier life, giving inspiration to many and in the process becoming icons of our national identity. Yet few realize that this cherished bestselling series wandered far from the actual history of the Ingalls family and from what Laura herself understood to be central truths about pioneer life.

In this groundbreaking narrative of literary detection, Christine Woodside reveals for the first time the full extent of the collaboration between Laura and her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Drawing on original manuscripts and letters, Woodside gives readers a fascinating look at the relationship between two strong-willed women.

Chris Woodside is a writer and editor who lives in the lower Connecticut River Valley and explores the higher country of New England. She writes about the history of ordinary Americans and their clashes with nature.