”Little House on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder

In one of our most ambitious episodes to date, we tackle the (wo)man, the myth, the legend: Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wilder’s “Little House” books about her pioneer childhood are some of the most famous books in American literature, but why? What do they tell us about manifest destiny and American mythmaking? And did you know that the books have a direct link to the Libertarian movement? Other topics covered in this episode include: the iconic long-running TV series, the books’ popularity in Japan, and Ronald Reagan’s love of astrology. We also attempt to answer the thorny question of what should be done with racist children’s books. 

Content warning: This episode discusses racism against Native Americans, and includes some of Wilder's racist descriptions of the Osage people. 

Further reading: “Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder” by Caroline Fraser

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