Description

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An illuminating, insider’s journey through the world of Little House on the Prairie and beyond, from Dean Butler, who starred as Almanzo Wilder, the man Laura “Half Pint” Ingalls married—on the iconic show still beloved by millions of fans as it reaches its 50th anniversary.

With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie)!

Cast just before his twenty-third birthday, Dean Butler joined Little House on the Prairie halfway through its run, gaining instant celebrity and fans’ enduring affection. Ironically, when the late, great Michael Landon remarked that Little House would outlive everyone involved in making it, Butler deemed it unlikely. Yet for four decades and counting, Butler has been defined in the public eye as Almanzo Wilder—a role he views as the great gift of his life. 

Butler had been cast as a romantic lead before, notably in the made-for-TV movie of Judy Blume’s Forever, opposite Stephanie Zimbalist. But Little House was, and remains, one of the most treasured shows in television history. As the eventual husband of Laura “Half-pint” Ingalls—and the man who would share actress Melissa Gilbert’s first real-life romantic kiss—Butler landed as a central figure for the show’s devoted fans. 

Now, with wit and candor, Butler recounts his passage through the Prairie, sharing stories and anecdotes of the remarkable cast who were his on-screen family. But that was merely the beginning of a diverse career that includes Broadway runs and roles on two other classic shows—Moondoggie in The New Gidget and Buffy’s ne’er-do-well father, Hank, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Coming of age during a golden era of entertainment, Butler has evolved along with it, and today enjoys success and fulfillment as a director and producer—notably of NBC Golf’s Feherty—while remaining deeply loyal to Little House.

The warmth, heart, and decency that fans of Laura and Almanzo fell in love with on Little House echo through this uplifting memoir, a story, in Butler’s words, about “good luck, good television, and the very good—if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.”

About the Author

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Dean Butler is an actor, writer, director, and producer best known to television audiences all over the world for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on the long‑running series Little House on the Prairie, based on the iconic Little House books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.   On the other side of the camera Dean produced 80 episodes over 10 seasons of NBC Golf Channel's Emmy nominated series, Feherty. Dean currently lives with his family in California.

Praise For…

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Praise for Prairie Man by Dean Butler:

“I've had the privilege of knowing Dean Butler from the perspective of a television viewer, business colleague, and friend. This story could only have been written by Dean. It's a clear understanding of life in front of and as an executive behind the camera. If you love Little House on the Prairie and you want to understand the business of entertainment, sports, and more importantly, living a full life, with his wife Katherine, Dean's book is one you will enjoy.” —Kathy Ireland

“Dean Butler has a unique perspective of the Little House experience. His stories have wit and wisdom, and his career takes us beyond Little House as he provides even more Hollywood insights.” —Mary McDonough, actress (The Waltons) and author of Lessons from the Mountain
 
"A ‘must read’ for fans of Little House on the Prairie, as well as an engaging and insightful show-business chronicle made richer by Dean's love of history and his ongoing desire to tell powerful stories. This memoir is not only a surprisingly candid and affectionate view of the iconic television series, including Dean Butler's complex relationship with Michael Landon, but also a challenging, improvisational journey of a young leading man evolving into a successful Producer/Writer/Director.” —Lucy Lee Flippin, actress (Little House on the Prairie)

“Warm. Authentic. Utterly charming and endlessly captivating and entertaining. A deeply personal and beautifully written chronicle from the heart of a life well lived.  I worked with Dean after his defining time with Michael Landon. It would’ve been easy, given Little House’s status as one of the most enduring series in the history of television, to paint it all with a broad brush of perfection, but Dean goes beyond the mythology to share his personal experience with both awe and understanding. To so many he remains Almanzo Wilder,  but to me...he will always be my “Moondoggie".” —Caryn Richman, actress, The New Gidget