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Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography Hardcover – December 30, 2014
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Hidden away since the 1930s, Laura Ingalls Wilder s never-before-published autobiography reveals the true stories of her pioneering life. Some of her experiences will be familiar; some will be a surprise. Pioneer Girl re-introduces readers to the woman who defined the pioneer experience for millions of people around the world.
Through her recollections, Wilder details the Ingalls family s journey from Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, back to Minnesota, and on to Dakota Territory sixteen years of travels, unforgettable stories, and the everyday people who became immortal through her fiction. Using additional manuscripts, diaries, and letters, Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography builds on Wilder s work by adding valuable context and explores her growth as a writer.
Author of an award-winning Laura Ingalls Wilder biography, editor Pamela Smith Hill offers new insights into Wilder s life and times. In an introduction, Hill illuminates Wilder s writing career and the dynamic relationship between the budding novelist and her daughter and editor, Rose Wilder Lane. Sharing the story of Wilder s original manuscript, Hill discusses the catalysts for Pioneer Girl and the process through which Wilder s story turned from an unpublished memoir into the national phenomenon of the Little House series.
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography also explores the history of the frontier that the Ingalls family traversed and the culture and life of the communities Wilder lived in. This groundbreaking volume develops a fuller picture of Wilder s life and times for the millions of readers who wish to learn more about this important American author. It contains one hundred and twenty-five images, eight fully researched maps, and hundreds of annotations based on numerous primary sources, including census data, county, state, and federal records, and newspapers of the period.
An important historic and literary achievement, this annotated edition of Pioneer Girl provides modern readers with new insights into the woman behind the fictional classics Little House in the Big Woods, Farmer Boy, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years.
- Print length472 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSouth Dakota Historical Society Press
- Publication dateDecember 30, 2014
- Dimensions9.84 x 1.29 x 10.14 inches
- ISBN-100984504176
- ISBN-13978-0984504176
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Review
Wilder s memoir is a fascinating piece of American history, but it s the annotations that set Pioneer Girl apart as the most important work of its kind. . . . It thrills with new insights and mature content, educates with historical facts and documentation, and enlightens with cultural perspective and commentary, all while maintaining the spirit of adventure and integrity that is the backbone of the Little House world and Wilder herself. . . . With Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography, Hill has ensured that not only will Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire, but that her audience will grow and expand for generations to come. Pallas Gates McCorquodale, Foreword Reviews Magazine --pioneergirlproject.org/reviews/
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography offers an in-depth look at the original hand-written nonfiction manuscript by Wilder . . . an extensive back story of both Lane and Wilder as writers and the role Pioneer Girl played in their respective careers. . . . I found it fascinating . . . Pioneer Girl is dense with annotations that explain how original text was edited, where individual stories ended up in the final series, and how editors worked to fact-check Wilder s personal memories. . . . Most importantly, Pioneer Girl frames Wilder s work in a historical context and closes the gap between her pioneer days as a young girl and her life as a highly acclaimed fiction writer . . . Pioneer Girl offers an in-depth look at the circumstances that, over time, caused the original girlhood tales of Wilder to evolve into a series of bestselling books that earned Wilder critical acclaim and recognition that have endured for decades. Lane Brown, The Christian Science Monitor --pioneergirlproject.org/reviews/
From the Back Cover
Hidden away since 1930, Laura Ingalls Wilder's original autobiography reveals the true stories of her pioneering life and shows how Wilder, as an author of growing skill, transformed her girlhood into one of the greatest children's series of all time, the Little House books. Some of her experiences will be familiar; some will be a surprise. This September, for the first time ever, Wilder's fans around the world will be able to read them all.
Pioneer Girl follows the Ingalls family's journey through Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, back to Minnesota, and on to Dakota Territory sixteen years of travels, unforgettable experiences, and the everyday people who became immortal through Wilder's fiction. Using additional manuscripts, letters, photographs, newspapers, and other sources, award-winning Wilder biographer Pamela Smith Hill adds valuable context and leads readers through Wilder's growth as a writer. Do you think you know Laura? Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography will re-introduce you to the woman who defined the pioneer experience for millions.
About the Author
Pamela Smith Hill is the award-winning author of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer s Life and three historical novels for young adults Ghost Horses, The Last Grail Keeper, and Voice from the Border. She has taught creative and professional writing at universities in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, as well as a course on Laura Ingalls Wilder through Missouri State University. She grew up forty miles from Rocky Ridge Farm, launched her writing career not far from De Smet, and now lives and works in Portland, Oregon.
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography is a publication of the Pioneer Girl Project, which is a research and publishing program of the South Dakota State Historical Society.
Product details
- Publisher : South Dakota Historical Society Press; Annotated edition (December 30, 2014)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 472 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0984504176
- ISBN-13 : 978-0984504176
- Item Weight : 3.24 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.84 x 1.29 x 10.14 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #27,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #61 in Women in History
- #152 in United States Biographies
- #182 in Women's Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors

Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in the Wisconsin woods in 1867. She wrote the Little House books based on her own experiences growing up on the Western frontier. Just like the characters in her stories, Laura and her family traveled by covered wagon across the Midwest and experienced many of the same adventures. She finally settled down in Mansfield, Missouri with her husband, Almanzo, where she lived until her death in 1957.

Pamela Smith Hill is the award-winning author of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer s Life and three historical novels for young adults Ghost Horses, The Last Grail Keeper, and Voice from the Border. She has taught creative and professional writing at universities in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, as well as a course on Laura Ingalls Wilder through Missouri State University. She grew up forty miles from Rocky Ridge Farm, launched her writing career not far from De Smet, and now lives and works in Portland, Oregon.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book provides rich, well-researched information about Laura Ingalls Wilder and her life. They appreciate the historical content and consider it a valuable addition to their collection. However, opinions differ on readability - some find it easy to read with nice details, while others feel it takes a while to read because of the annotated sections.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They appreciate the annotations that provide insights into what newspapers had to say about the topics. The comprehensive account of LIW provides factual documentation with maps and timelines. Readers appreciate the author's time and research into providing context for conditions of pioneer life.
"...The information inside is absolute gold...." Read more
"...What we have here is a balanced, meticulously researched piece of scholarship that, we can be very sure, is telling us the truth to the best of the..." Read more
"...120 pages long, this annotated book exceeds 370 pages, and is very richly informative...." Read more
"...It is very thorough. I can tell the writers put a ton of work into this. Very well done!" Read more
Customers appreciate the historical content of the book. They find the introduction informative, providing an interesting look into the history of the manuscript and its evolution. The novel provides an excellent look into the times and experiences of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family. Readers appreciate the footnotes that show the recorded history and reveal that Laura had a great memory for details. The book reads like a dissertation and they enjoy the additional family history and insight into vastly different life and times.
"...Both the commentary and the novel give an excellent look into the times and experiences of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family in the years that..." Read more
"...the references are fully half the book -- and each annotation contains fascinating historical tidbits that will lead you on many, many tangents just..." Read more
"...course, is never vulgar, but it is a more adult and frank review of Wilder's life experiences...." Read more
"...It also is full of historical information.Bottom line: Laura wrote a huge document chronicling her life...." Read more
Customers find the book worth the price. They say it's a great addition to their Little House collection and a wonderful supplementary account to childhood memories. Readers also mention it's an excellent companion to the series and a home library must-have for fans.
"This is an excellent companion to the "Little House" series...." Read more
"...This book is an excellent addition. I've always wanted to know more about who Laura was and what her life was really like...." Read more
"...Highly recommend this to all fans, young and old. The price on this is significantly less than the major bookstores, purchasing from Amazon was a..." Read more
"...; books for almost 70 years and this volume is a wonderful addition to my collection. Jackie Montgomery" Read more
Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it well-written and easy to understand, with nice details and thoughtful presentation. Others mention that it takes a while to read because it is annotated, making it challenging and tiring reading.
"...It is a little hard to read as others have mentioned as you have to structure your reading to read both the manuscript and the associated..." Read more
"...like reading a letter written by my own grandmother, the style of writing is so honest and open. The side-bar information is fascinating...." Read more
"...Be prepared to read slowly; this is not a quickly consumed book. There are many footnotes which are in about 8 or 9 pt type...." Read more
"...Structurally they resemble newspaper columns – they are tightly written, evocative, dramatic and revealing...." Read more
Reviews with images
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2014This book is absolutely gorgeous, and I was SHOCKED by the size. I had no idea it was going to be the size of a school text book. The paper quality is lovely, and the pictures are wonderful. The cover is beautiful, and not only does it look so much like teenage Laura, it also fits really well with the Garth Williams illustrations we are all familiar with.
The information inside is absolute gold. I had no idea that there was anything else I could learn about Laura, as I have read every book written by, for, or about her, but there is so much. It truly gives new insight into what was true and what was fiction in the series. Reading Laura's words is like reading a letter written by my own grandmother, the style of writing is so honest and open. The side-bar information is fascinating. The depth of research that went into every name Laura mentions, every location, and every incident is mind-boggling.
I'm even more stunned now at Laura's memory. Although she makes a few mistakes about some names, for the most part, she remembers names of neighbors and details about events that are verified by Hill and the other researchers. It's truly impressive that Laura was able to remember so much detail about her childhood.
My absolute favorite little bit from Laura's writing was the story about the mitten she knitted for Baby Carrie. It is one of the sweetest stories I've read, and feels so absolutely true and with emotions that I can even remember feeling as a young child.
I still have a bit of the book to go. I'm a speed reader, and it still takes me an hour to get through ten pages. There is just SO MUCH packed onto each and every page that it takes awhile to digest. I've literally been waiting twenty years to read Pioneer Girl, ever since I first found out it existed, when I was about ten years old. Finally reading it is a little stunning.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015A stunning work of scholarship that belongs on the shelves of every Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, this edition of Pioneer Girl is nothing short of a tour de force. It is visually beautiful, an over-sized book on high-quality paper designed to accommodate the manuscript of PIONEER GIRL in the center and the copious notes about its content running alongside at the margin. It contains a wealth of images, a feat indeed when we consider that there are only a few photos extant of the Ingalls and Wilder clans (many of the original illustrations for the LITTLE HOUSE books, drawn by Helen Sewell and unfamiliar to all of us who grew up with Garth Williams's beautiful pictures, also decorate the pages). Most of all, it contains information: an absolute watershed of carefully researched background on the people and events described both in Laura's original Pioneer Girl manuscript and in the eventual published books.
This is not a book suitable for anyone who doesn't know the Little House books backwards and forwards. (For instance, if you don't know who Charlotte is, it's not going to mean much that she was originally called Roxy. For those of us who do, however, it's almost shocking news!) In fact, assuming the correct level of expertise of the readers must have been one of the most difficult tasks facing Pamela Smith Hill, who "edited" (the word isn't nearly big enough to describe what she must have done) and annotated the manuscript. She had to decide how much backstory to put into the notes, and she seems to have almost intuitively grasped the level of knowledge of the average reader.
That said, there are no startling revelations for the avid Laura Ingalls Wilder reader -- at least, not for any familiar with her biographies. We do not learn the true identity of Mr. Edwards, or gain new information on the evil done to the child Laura by the three girls whom she amalgamated into the gloriously nasty Nellie Oleson. There is no scandal to equal the sensation created by the Ghost in the Little House. What we have here is a balanced, meticulously researched piece of scholarship that, we can be very sure, is telling us the truth to the best of the editor's knowledge. And that is very valuable.
This is everything a scholarly work should be: detailed, generous of spirit, and above all, easy to access. It's also a compulsive browse of a book; one footnote leads to another, which reminds you of something else you must look up in the index, until you glance up and realize you've spent three hours completely absorbed in the material. I don't know how it will play on younger readers; as a huge Little House fan from about the age of eight, I think I would have loved it from middle school onward. It is concerned with facts, so it doesn't contain some of the material that might trouble younger readers, such as Rose Wilder Lane's difficult relationship with her parents. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it for a child aged 11 and up, though it's clearly written for adults with its assumption of knowledge about the census and other fact-gathering bureaucracies.
Highly, highly recommended. I ordered it in September and it has just now (January) arrived: worth the wait!
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on April 4, 20225.0 out of 5 stars A nice piece of collection
For those who are fascinated by this author and love all the details, it is very well done. It is illustrated and of very fine quality. It's heavy to handle, but worth it as it is a quality item.
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MARIA BERNARDETE LOYOLA TAVARESReviewed in Brazil on May 9, 20213.0 out of 5 stars Bom
É uma edição comentada, diferente de uma autobiografia escrita por ela!
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Wolf PiotrowskiReviewed in Germany on February 16, 20215.0 out of 5 stars Das tatsächliche Leben als Kind und junges Mädchen als Farmerstochter in den Pionierzeiten der USA
In diesem Buch ist die autobiographische Erzählung „A Pioneer Girl“ von Laura Ingalls Wilder mit fleißig und umfassend zusammengetragenen Anmerkungen herausgegeben.
Diese Erzählung nutzte die Autorin als Basis für eine Serie von in den USA sehr populären Kinderbüchern, und diese wiederum Anlass für eine Fernsehserie die in Deutschland als „Unsere kleine Farm“ ausgestrahlt wurde.
Die Betonung liegt dabei auf den Anmerkungen, die den überwiegenden Teil ausmachen und wissenschaftlichen Kriterien genügen. Die Anmerkungen sind für den naiven Lesegenuss ein wenig zu detailreich –ich werde zum Beispiel nicht vergessen, dass das Manuskript mit Bleistift Nummer 2 geschrieben wurde –wollte ich das wirklich wissen?
Meine mäßigen Englischkenntnisse reichten aus, den Inhalt zu verstehen. Über einige Begriffe habe ich hinweg gelesen oder sie aus dem Zusammenhang erraten, für andere habe ich das Internet bemüht. Ich weiß nun, was die „gopher“ auf dem Farmland anrichteten, dass Frau Ingalls sich als Kind als „chum“ und „tomboy“ sah, kenne die damalige ausschließliche Bedeutung von „team“ und „teamster“ und dass die Farmfrauen nach alter Tradition am Mittwoch das „churn“ herausholen und dass ein „colt“ auch ein Hengstfohlen ist.
Zum Schluss kommend, möchte ich erwähnen, dass das Buch typografisch und in der Ausstattung ein Spitzenprodukt ist: Großes Seitenformat, die Anmerkungen befinden sich stets in der Nähe des Textes, meist in einer extra Spalte oder auf den anschließenden Seiten.
Das Buch ist reich bebildert und mit ausgiebigem Vorwort, Acknowledgement. Anhang, Index etc. versehen. Die Anmerkungen sind gründlich recherchiert und geben interessante Hintergrundinformationen, z.B. wie kamen die Siedler zu ihren Claims?
Andere Daten, z.B. die biographischen Daten der vielen Nebenpersonen, zeigen nur, dass es diese Personen wirklich gab. Oft wird auf Irrtümer in den Zeitabläufen hingewiesen – kein Wunder, wenn sich eine über 60-jährige an die Kindheit erinnert. (Gelegentlich soll sie geäußert haben „Keiner wird später die Daten meiner Erzählung überprüfen“ – ein Irrtum.) Diese sicher ermüdende Häufung von Fakten ist jedoch eine unvermeintliche Konsequenz einer umfassenden kritischen Ausgabe.
Insgesamt ist das Buch sehr empfehlenswert, insbesondere für die, die sich auch für Hintergrundinformationen interessieren.
v888Reviewed in Australia on April 14, 20195.0 out of 5 stars A Laura Fan Must Read !!!
Awesome- so interesting and well put together. A Rich Reading Experience
rueyclemReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 20165.0 out of 5 stars You have to purchase this book if you are a Laura Ingalls Wilder Fan!!!
I loved the Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, I purchased my own copies a few years ago, they are already starting to look quite dog-eared from the amount of times that I have read them.
I came across this book purely by chance in The Times Book Review section, where they review up and coming books, and this was one of them, having read the excellent review, I decided that one day I would own this book. When I went to my local Waterstones recently I came across a copy of the book, was immediately enchanted and decided I had to track down a copy of the book.
Luckily when I went on Amazon there was a copy which was available for a bargain price, which I took straightaway - it was advertised as Used - Acceptable, but when I opened my package today 28 April 2016 I was very pleasantly surprised as the book is brand new, has not been opened, or even read by the look of it, it was slightly dusty on the dust jacket but apart from that it is in perfect condition.
This is a book that I will love and treasure, I am so looking forward to seeing more photos, articles, and finally her own story in her own words, what a magical book to treasure while the weather outside is wintry.








