Act 2

Act 3

Who actually wrote the Little House books? For decades this question has loomed over the series. Was it Laura, a 65-year-old farm wife? Or her daughter Rose, one of the country's most successful freelance writers? But that's not the only conspiracy theory these heartwarming, cozy books have spawned. Many people also believe they are a Libertarian fantasy masquerading as tales for children. In this episode we tackle the question: how involved in the writing was Rose, really? And how much of Rose’s sometimes extreme political ideology ended up woven into Laura’s story? And if that weren't enough, we also look into whether Rose was responsible for funding the education of two of the most powerful right-wing operatives in America. While we're on the subject of politics, did Little House bankroll a failed run for President? And, finally, how did a man Laura never met, come to control the entire Little House world? We told you Rose was complicated.

Go deeper: 
Caroline Fraser’s Prairie Fires
Visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Historic Homes in De Smet, South Dakota
Visit Laura and Rose’s homes in Mansfield 
All About Kids! episode with Roger Lea MacBride, courtesy of Hennepin County Library
Roger Lea MacBride’s presidential campaign ad courtesy of Carl Albert Center Archives

Follow us for behind the scenes content! 
@WilderPodcast on TikTok
@Wilder_Podcast on Instagram

We want to hear from you! If listening to Wilder has changed your thinking on Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books, send a voice memo to wilderpodcast@gmail.com. You might be featured in our final episode ;) 

Who actually wrote the Little House books? For decades this question has loomed over the series. Was it Laura, a 65-year-old farm wife? Or her daughter Rose, one of the country's most successful freelance writers? But that's not the only conspiracy theory these heartwarming, cozy books have spawned. Many people also believe they are a Libertarian fantasy masquerading as tales for children. In this episode we tackle the question: how involved in the writing was Rose, really? And how much of Rose’s sometimes extreme political ideology ended up woven into Laura’s story? And if that weren't enough, we also look into whether Rose was responsible for funding the education of two of the most powerful right-wing operatives in America. While we're on the subject of politics, did Little House bankroll a failed run for President? And, finally, how did a man Laura never met, come to control the entire Little House world? We told you Rose was complicated.
Go deeper:  <a href="https://prairiefiresbook.com/">Caroline Fraser’s Prairie Fires</a> <a href="https://discoverlaura.org/">Visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Historic Homes in De Smet, South Dakota</a> <a href="https://lauraingallswilderhome.com/lauras-homes-on-rocky-ridge/">Visit Laura and Rose’s homes in Mansfield </a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UvNpo7YKCg&amp;t=332s">All About Kids! episode with Roger Lea MacBride, courtesy of Hennepin County Library</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CKCQaxC7ZM">Roger Lea MacBride’s presidential campaign ad courtesy of Carl Albert Center Archives</a>
Follow us for behind the scenes content!  @WilderPodcast on TikTok @Wilder_Podcast on Instagram
We want to hear from you! If listening to Wilder has changed your thinking on Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House books, send a voice memo to <a href="mailto:wilderpodcast@gmail.com">wilderpodcast@gmail.com</a>. You might be featured in our final episode ;)

Jack Kerouac but make it a girl with braids. Carrie Bradshaw, but without the sex, and also braids. An American Icon. An American Odyssey. American propaganda. Violently so, in some cases. Laura Ingalls Wilder is evergreen. For better or worse. Since the first Little House book was published in 1932, generations of readers have flocked to Laura’s cozy stories of the Ingalls family settling the Western frontier. The series inspired a TV show, pageants, and entire fashion lines. Behind this franchise is a woman who experienced almost a full century of American history. She’d made her first trips in a covered wagon, and eventually flew on a jet plane. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life and legacy remain as powerful, mesmerizing, controversial, and violent as the America she represents. In a country currently at odds with itself and its history could there be a better time for an exploration of this woman?

Jack Kerouac but make it a girl with braids. Carrie Bradshaw, but without the sex, and also braids. An American Icon. An American Odyssey. American propaganda. Violently so, in some cases. Laura Ingalls Wilder is evergreen. For better or worse. Since the first Little House book was published in 1932, generations of readers have flocked to Laura’s cozy stories of the Ingalls family settling the Western frontier. The series inspired a TV show, pageants, and entire fashion lines. Behind this franchise is a woman who experienced almost a full century of American history. She’d made her first trips in a covered wagon, and eventually flew on a jet plane. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life and legacy remain as powerful, mesmerizing, controversial, and violent as the America she represents. In a country currently at odds with itself and its history could there be a better time for an exploration of this woman?

Wilder

4. Daughter Dearest pt. 2: Politics and Rose

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cdde179e-b6a7-41a7-afd2-b02f015e9a10/transcript

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