Laura Ingalls Wilder — the story of the land behind the Little House stories

Caroline Fraser just won the Pulitzer Prize for biography for her new book, Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder. For those who read the Little House books, you’ll remember the tales of a loving family on the American frontier. What’s behind the scenes is the extraordinary destruction wrought by settlers—both to the native inhabitants of the land and to the land itself, resulting in drought, crop failure, insect infestations, and ultimately the Dust Bowl.
This riveting biography offers a deep look at a family of smart, courageous, and loving people caught up in a bigger historical process.

How to Listen

iTunes • Sticher • I heart Radio  • Google Play •  Player FM • RadioPublic

More Episodes

Episode 159 – The Carbon Credit Conundrum

Episode 159 – The Carbon Credit Conundrum

The Carbon Credit Conundrum Carbon credits were designed as a market mechanism to incentivize projects that sequester carbon and reduce carbon emissions. The idea is to pay people who are doing climate friendly projects, and sell credits to carbon emitters. But do...

read more
Episode 157 – The six-legged livestock: Bees

Episode 157 – The six-legged livestock: Bees

The six-legged livestock: Bees Beehives take up little space on the land, but, like other livestock, bees need space to roam, and they need a varied diet. Beekeeper Melanie Kirby is a “landless farmer,” who sets up her beehives on farms and ranches, where the bees can...

read more
Episode 156 – Bonus episode: Ask Me Anything!

Episode 156 – Bonus episode: Ask Me Anything!

Bonus episode: Ask Me Anything! Anica Wong is Quivira Coalition’s communications director and she had the idea for an “ask me anything” episode with Down to Earth host Mary-Charlotte Domandi… and here it is! Listeners asked questions and we answered as best we could,...

read more