[CCM]⋙ [PDF] The First Four Years Laura Ingalls Wilder Garth Williams 9780060264260 Books

The First Four Years Laura Ingalls Wilder Garth Williams 9780060264260 Books

Download As PDF : The First Four Years Laura Ingalls Wilder Garth Williams 9780060264260 Books

The First Four Years Laura Ingalls Wilder Garth Williams 9780060264260 Books

This is a WONDERFUL book . It is valuable because it gives us a vivid picture of the REAL hardships faced by a young couple in the first years of their marriage It does depict struggles and disappointments along with the joys of daily living in a different time and culture .

My reaction to this story is that it is realistic because it documents the truth that life is NEVER easy for even the best and brightest . Much of the "success" a person achieves is simply correlated to the attitude he displays when confronted with a challenge or disappointment . I was grateful that the hardships were NOT ignored : health scares, crop failures, disastrous weather and tensions between a man and a woman who disagree .There are lessons to be treasured here on the truth that life is an obstacle course for each person who inhabits this world , and every generation is presented with a varying and unique assortment of predicaments that create something called "HISTORY".

I loved visualizing Laura 's world and her challenges along with the simple pleasures she enjoyed like wild flowers, her hand made storage kitchen cabinet , and the one seat sleigh or 'cutter' that provided winter transportation across the prairie in harsh winter weather.

AS a girl I remember walking to the local library and checking out this series of books. In hindsight I believe that they created a lifelong passion for history and a fascination for learning about the challenges of previous generations . I am now a 60 year old woman , and still derive great pleasure from reading about Laura's world . Her books provide cherished vivid escape even still.

Those who are interested in Laura's life might also enjoy the memoirs of Flora Lewis "Larkrise To Candleford" .


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The First Four Years Laura Ingalls Wilder Garth Williams 9780060264260 Books Reviews

Published posthumously, The First Four Years is the unedited draft of what appeared to be Wilder's next book in her popular Little House series. Laura Ingalls is now Laura Wilder, learning to settle into her new life with husband Almanzo in a little home of their very own. Despite her childhood reluctance to grow up and become a farmer's wife, Laura has done exactly that! Almanzo and Laura strike a bargain she will let him try farming for three years, and if it works, then she will happily remain a farmer's wife. However, if the venture fails, then Almanzo has promised that after three years, he will give up farming and try his hand at something new. And so the reader is taken on a journey through the first three years (and one more) of their marriage. Among the ups and downs, Laura learns to ride a pony, baby Rose is introduced, and Almanzo falls so sick that he will never be able to walk without the aid of a cane.

I had always adored Wilder's portrayal of her pioneer youth. With every Little House book I finished, I found myself charged with energy to go extract maple sap, grind my own flour, or make cheese the good old fashioned way. No matter how tough Wilder's youth had been, she had always managed to weave a great deal of hope in her stories and a general sentiment that everything would turn out okay. The First Four Years is no different, but because of its lack of completion (and thus, closure) and editing, it carries a definitely more grown-up air than the rest of the Little House books. Wilder doesn't glance over the hardships in this book the way she did in the others, so at times, it seems bleak and without hope; the reader gets to follow Wilder as she keeps tabs on the family's dire financial situation and her emotional state after a tragic accident where she was partially to blame. The First Four Years made for a fantastic, quick read, but it wasn't exactly the happy return to innocence that I was expecting. I recommend it--but with caution to folks who are expecting the same type of rustic romanticism found in the rest of the series.

[...]
For a little girl who LOVES the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, this was a hit. A child who randomly picks it up probably would not enjoy it as much. If this was the colorized version I would have certainly rated the book 4 stars since the illustrations really pop and the heavier weight paper is definitely a plus for a book that will be in this little girl's library for many, many years. Bottom line, if you know a Laura Ingalls Wilder lover the book will be welcomed and a nice continuation of the story and completes the series. If the reader is not an established fan, this book won't make him or her a convert.
Sadly this book is so short being only a rough draft when it was found after Laura's death, and yet despite the rough start of their marriage, we can take solace in knowing that Laura and Almanzo enjoyed 65 years together, 62 of them in marriage. I can only hope my husband and I will be so lucky.
Warning! Spoilers!!

Reading the foreword on the history of how this narrative was published from Mrs Wilder's draft notes, long after her death, I don't understand all the complaints in reviews.

The story isn't "filled out" in color and detail like a novel. But the essentials of her style are there. And I found the account of her early married life quite interesting. It was quite sad to read about the death of her son and then abruptly reach the end of the narrative a few pages later. I found it understandable though since she described herself as being numb and going through the motions in the time following his death and the later house fire. She was understandably under a lot of stress during that time, with her husband also partially paralyzed. I know that chronic illness and stress of that sort can turn your brain to mush when it comes to remembering things. It's no wonder the details are sparse. I think some critical reviewers wanted idealism rather than reality, but others do seem to have sympathy.

I'm just sorry that she didn't feel compelled to complete this book, nor write another about their journey and farm in Missouri. I would have liked to have known more about those events.

I'm glad she lived a full and rich life among her friends and family. A very hard-working and courageous woman.
This is a WONDERFUL book . It is valuable because it gives us a vivid picture of the REAL hardships faced by a young couple in the first years of their marriage It does depict struggles and disappointments along with the joys of daily living in a different time and culture .

My reaction to this story is that it is realistic because it documents the truth that life is NEVER easy for even the best and brightest . Much of the "success" a person achieves is simply correlated to the attitude he displays when confronted with a challenge or disappointment . I was grateful that the hardships were NOT ignored health scares, crop failures, disastrous weather and tensions between a man and a woman who disagree .There are lessons to be treasured here on the truth that life is an obstacle course for each person who inhabits this world , and every generation is presented with a varying and unique assortment of predicaments that create something called "HISTORY".

I loved visualizing Laura 's world and her challenges along with the simple pleasures she enjoyed like wild flowers, her hand made storage kitchen cabinet , and the one seat sleigh or 'cutter' that provided winter transportation across the prairie in harsh winter weather.

AS a girl I remember walking to the local library and checking out this series of books. In hindsight I believe that they created a lifelong passion for history and a fascination for learning about the challenges of previous generations . I am now a 60 year old woman , and still derive great pleasure from reading about Laura's world . Her books provide cherished vivid escape even still.

Those who are interested in Laura's life might also enjoy the memoirs of Flora Lewis "Larkrise To Candleford" .