3 chapters across the catalog
Little House on the Prairie as Libertarian Parable
A segment on France 24 claims the "Little House on the Prairie" book series was a "libertarian parable" written by Rose Wilder Lane to promote anti-government sentiment. The hosts discuss the claim that the stories were a "myth" designed to obscure the role of the federal government in frontier settlement. They link this to a broader cultural debate about the value of hard work.
The American Library Association stripped Laura Ingalls Wilder's name from a major children's literature award in 2018 due to perceived racism in her "Little House on the Prairie" books. The hosts discuss the ongoing trend of removing historical names from awards and speculate on future targets for similar actions.
Declaration of Independence, John Adams, Laura Ingalls Wilder
The historical context of the Declaration of Independence is explored, noting that while the document was signed on July 4th, independence was formally declared on July 2nd. A passage from Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little Town on the Prairie" is read to illustrate how the holiday was celebrated in the late 19th century. The discussion reflects on the loss of traditional American "canon" and the shift toward commercialized holidays.
