Laura Ingalls Wilder and the American Frontier: Five Perspectives

by Elizabeth Jameson (Contribution by), John E. Miller (Contribution by), Ann Romines (Contribution by), Anita Clair Fellman (Contribution by), Ann Weller Dahl (Contribution by)

Overview

Laura Ingalls Wilder and the American Frontier provides the reader with a broad sweep of information on Wilder not readily available in any other format. Included in this work are: discussions of Wilder's life; her writings and their influence on the interpretation of the American frontier, the feminine role in frontier life, Native American relations; and the use of the Little House as a teaching tool. Students of Western history, feminist scholars, home schoolteachers, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder following will find this an informative and enjoyable source.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761822851
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/14/2002
Pages:	126
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Dwight M. Miller is a retired archivist. He served as Senior Archivist in the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library from 1964 to 1999. He has edited several books, including: The Public Papers of the Presidents: Herbert Hoover, 1923-1933 (GPO, 1974-1977) and Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Documentary History (Greenwood, 1998).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Laura Ingalls Wilder and the American Frontier
Chapter 2 Approaching Laura Ingalls Wilder: Challenge and Opportunities
Chapter 3 The Frontier of the Little House
Chapter 4 The Little House Books in American Culture
Chapter 5 Unconscious Inheritance and Conscious Striving: Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Frontier Narrative
Chapter 6 Laura Ingalls Wilder: An Elementary School Perspective
Chapter 7 Afterword
Chapter 8 Contributions
Chapter 9 Suggestions for Further Reading
Chapter 10 Index

What People are Saying About This

William Anderson

The 'Little Houses' have much to say to us in a scholarly realm and Wilder's writing remains an invaluable key to our understanding of the American frontier of the nineteenth century. Scholars Elizabeth Jameson, Anita Clair Fellman, Ann Weller Dahl, John E. Miller and Ann Romines each offer perceptive views on the influence, philosophy and documentary value of the 'Little House' books. Dwight Miller has done an excellent job of compiling and editing these essays into an outstanding volume that will be of interest to all of the readers of the 'Little House' books.

Editorial Reviews

On the whole, this is an engaging collection of 'teasers' by the top scholars in the field—the volume will engage and energize Wilder scholars—it may also encourage children's literature scholars to repertoire of critical and theoretical approaches. Finally, this project is ideal for librarians and teachers as well

Children's Literature Association Quarterly - Anne K. Phillips

..vivid and lively reading.

Wytherville Enterprise - Wilma Snyder

...an excellent model of how interdisciplinary approaches continue to invigorate Wilder studies and makes a strong case for the book's historic and literary significance.

Western American Literature - Laura Cuozzo

The 'Little Houses' have much to say to us in a scholarly realm and Wilder's writing remains an invaluable key to our understanding of the American frontier of the nineteenth century. Scholars Elizabeth Jameson, Anita Clair Fellman, Ann Weller Dahl, John E. Miller and Ann Romines each offer perceptive views on the influence, philosophy and documentary value of the 'Little House' books. Dwight Miller has done an excellent job of compiling and editing these essays into an outstanding volume that will beof interest to all of the readers of the 'Little House' books.

William Anderson

...an excellent model of how interdisciplinary approaches continue to invigorate Wilder studies and makes a strong case for the book's historic and literary significance.--Laura Cuozzo "Western American Literature "

Ranging in depth and significance, the essays seem geared to readers coming for the first time to research and commentary on Wilder and will likely leave them desiring to know more.--Philip Heldrich, Department of English, Emporia State University "Great Plains Quarterly, Fall 2003 "

..vivid and lively reading.--Wilma Snyder "Wytherville Enterprise "

From the Publisher

Ranging in depth and significance, the essays seem geared to readers coming for the first time to research and commentary on Wilder and will likely leave them desiring to know more.

Great Plains Quarterly, Fall 2003 - Philip Heldrich

..vivid and lively reading.

Wytherville Enterprise - Wilma Synder

..vivid and lively reading.
— Wilma Synder

Wytherville Enterprise

...an excellent model of how interdisciplinary approaches continue to invigorate Wilder studies and makes a strong case for the book's historic and literary significance.
— Laura Cuozzo

Western American Literature

The five essays presented here originated as papers for a September 1998 conference hosted by the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa, which is where Wilder's papers are held. Written by professors of history, English, women's studies, American studies, and a fourth grade school teacher, each essay offers insight into the life and work of the beloved author of "The Little House" books, as well as discussion of themes related to memory, fiction, history, and art. Editor Miller supplies a substantial introduction, an afterword, and suggestions for further research. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Ranging in depth and significance, the essays seem geared to readers coming for the first time to research and commentary on Wilder and will likely leave them desiring to know more.

Great Plains Quarterly - Philip Heldrich