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A Prairie Girl's Faith

The Spiritual Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Stephen W. Hines

About A Prairie Girl's Faith

The first in-depth look at the spiritual path of legendary storyteller Laura Ingalls Wilder.

With her extraordinary God-given pluck, the creator of the epic Little House series survived the harshness of frontier life—from the heartbreak of sudden crop losses to murderous storms to unrelenting loneliness. Yet in every season, Laura found strength through her relationship with God.

Now, several generations later, Laura’s insights about work and rest, trust in the face of hardship, and the value of faith are more relevant than ever. Through Laura’s discerning newspaper pieces as an early advice columnist, interviews with people who knew her personally, and extensive investigation by Stephen Hines, we witness an authentic faith that comes not from pretending all is well but from growing through difficult times.

With photos and authentic recipes from the Little House era, A Prairie Girl’s Faith also opens a wider window into the lives of pioneers as it offers a revealing look at the beliefs, character, and culture into which Laura was born and grew to maturity.

Praise

“Because of my father’s role in the Little House on the Prairie television series, I have long admired Laura Ingalls Wilder and the values she portrayed so memorably in her books. It’s no secret to her readers that faith was central to the Ingalls family. This compelling discussion of Laura’s spiritual journey is most welcome and satisfying.”
—Michael Landon Jr., actor, director, writer, and producer

About Stephen W. Hines

Stephen Hines is a recognized authority on Laura Ingalls Wilder and has authored several best-selling volumes on her life, including Little House in the Ozarks. He grew up in the midwest in an area where Wilder once lived. Hines was the founding Director of Communications for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and has held several editorial positions in magazine, newspaper, and book publishing. The author is a contributor to the Little House on the Prairie website. He lives with his wife, Gwen, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Product Details

224 pages | Published by WaterBrook

On Sale Date: Mar 12, 2019

Trim Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4

Carton Quantity: 24

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
publicity@waterbrookmultnomah.com
 
Now in Paperback, Laura Ingalls Wilder Biography Offers Extended, In-Depth Discussion of Wilder’s Faith
 
“Because of my father’s role in the Little House on the Prairie television series, I have long admired Laura Ingalls Wilder and the values she portrayed so memorably in her books. It’s no secret to her readers that faith was central to the Ingalls family. This compelling discussion of Laura’s spiritual journey is most welcome and satisfying.” Michael Landon Jr., actor, director, writer, and producer
 
“Two dangers come with stories about Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Little House on the Prairie TV series downplays the Christian foundation in her pioneer life, and others portray her as an evangelical saint. A good journalist, Stephen W. Hines avoids either pitfall in A Prairie Girl’s Faith.” – Russ Pulliam, WORLD
 
Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family have captivated generations of readers and television viewers with the Little House stories marked by their pioneer independence and self-reliance. But was it only their courage that helped them survive the harshness of frontier life?
 
Now available in paperback, A Prairie Girl’s Faith: The Spiritual Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder (WaterBrook, Mar. 12, 2019) reveals that Wilder was more than a gifted storyteller and America’s most beloved pioneer—she was a woman of remarkable faith.
 
Stephen W. Hines, best-selling author and recognized authority on Laura Ingalls Wilder, draws on his extensive research—including his interviews with people who knew her personally and Wilder’s insightful newspaper pieces and life stories—to demonstrate how her faith sustained her in difficult times.
 
From a house fire and numerous crop failures to the loss of a son and Almanzo’s crippling stroke, Wilder clung to the “greatness and goodness” of God during these challenging and often life-altering events.
 
“I like to think we can still learn something from Laura’s accumulated experience and reflection,” writes Hines, “among which is tolerance for other’s failings, courage to start all over again after disaster strikes, and a belief that God holds the future in his hands and intends no ill will for his children.”
 
A Prairie Girl’s Faith also features nearly 30 authentic pioneer recipes from people who knew Laura and her parents—even one from Ma Ingalls herself! These recipes, along with memorable quotes, period music, and historical context, open a wider window into the life of pioneers and the beliefs and culture in which Wilder lived.
 
For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STEPHEN HINES is a recognized authority on Laura Ingalls Wilder and has authored several best-selling volumes on her life, including Little House in the Ozarks and Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farm Journalist. He grew up in the Midwest in an area not far from where “Little House on the Prairie” took place. Hines was the founding Director of Communications for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and has held several editorial positions in magazine, newspaper, and book publishing. Hines is a contributor to www.littlehouseontheprairie.com. He lives with his wife, Gwen, in Nashville, Tennessee.
 

 

Contact Publicist

publicity@waterbrookmultnomah.com