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Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond
An illuminating, insider's journey through the world of Little House on the Prairie and beyond, from Dean Butler, who starred as Almanzo Wilder on the iconic show still beloved by millions of fans as it reaches its fiftieth anniversary.
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. 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."
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. 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."
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Published July 16, 2024
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April 7, 2024
“Little House isn’t just something I did for a few seasons in my twenties; it remains a vital part of my life.”
Who else had a crush on Manly when they were growing up?!
I never read a memoir/autobiography until I joined Bookstagram and since then I’ve really been enjoying them. I reached out for this one because Little House on the Prairie (both book and TV series) was a BIG part of my growing up.
This is the most gracious memoir I’ve ever read. That’s a ‘thing’, right?
The first thing you’ll notice is that it reads like a friend is chatting to you over a cup of coffee. It’s a relaxed and easygoing, albeit one-sided, conversation. I closed the book thinking that I wanted to be friends with this man and his wonderful wife. He embodies all of the qualities I hope to manifest, and there’s no swearing and no gossip. Furthermore, he openly takes responsibility for all his ‘mistakes’ and graciously segues to another topic. I finished this one KNOWING that there was a reason Michael Landon chose Dean to portray Almanzo Wilder.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of LHOTP debut: It aired on NBC Sept. 11, 1974.
Dean Butler graduated from university in May 1979 on his 23rd birthday and two days later he set out on the adventure that would shape the rest of his life. He’d been cast in a role at 22 and he’d play Almanzo Wilder until he was 27 years old. He shared that he “spent barely five years as Almanzo, but for millions, I am him and he is me.”
Little House on the Prairie had been on the air for 5 seasons when Dean was cast in his role. When he arrived at Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley on May 22, 1979 for his first day of shooting, he’d never watched an episode!!!
Things you’ll learn: (NO spoilers)
✔️Why his parents were influenced to name him Dean
✔️Why acting appealed to this quiet, unnoticeable person
✔️How reconnecting with a cast member 15 years after first meeting on the set changed his life
✔️The 7/11 concept in Hollywood studios
✔️Imposter syndrome and why so many actors suffer with it
✔️The parallels between his life and the life of the man whom he portrayed on TV
✔️Melissa’s mother’s outburst on set and the reason behind it
✔️Rejection from Madonna and William Shatner
✔️Chapter 15 will have you Googling what he doesn’t share…
✔️How Capt. B.J. Honeycutt appeared as one of those 6 degrees of connection in his life
✔️How Edwin S. Friendly, Jr.’s daughter, Brooke, is to thank for the influence in his life.
✔️Why LHOTP was so popular and what Michale Landon created that was so well received
✔️the huge impact of our choices
I highly recommend this to all LHOTP lovers and memoir readers alike!
Who else had a crush on Manly when they were growing up?!
I never read a memoir/autobiography until I joined Bookstagram and since then I’ve really been enjoying them. I reached out for this one because Little House on the Prairie (both book and TV series) was a BIG part of my growing up.
This is the most gracious memoir I’ve ever read. That’s a ‘thing’, right?
The first thing you’ll notice is that it reads like a friend is chatting to you over a cup of coffee. It’s a relaxed and easygoing, albeit one-sided, conversation. I closed the book thinking that I wanted to be friends with this man and his wonderful wife. He embodies all of the qualities I hope to manifest, and there’s no swearing and no gossip. Furthermore, he openly takes responsibility for all his ‘mistakes’ and graciously segues to another topic. I finished this one KNOWING that there was a reason Michael Landon chose Dean to portray Almanzo Wilder.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of LHOTP debut: It aired on NBC Sept. 11, 1974.
Dean Butler graduated from university in May 1979 on his 23rd birthday and two days later he set out on the adventure that would shape the rest of his life. He’d been cast in a role at 22 and he’d play Almanzo Wilder until he was 27 years old. He shared that he “spent barely five years as Almanzo, but for millions, I am him and he is me.”
Little House on the Prairie had been on the air for 5 seasons when Dean was cast in his role. When he arrived at Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley on May 22, 1979 for his first day of shooting, he’d never watched an episode!!!
Things you’ll learn: (NO spoilers)
✔️Why his parents were influenced to name him Dean
✔️Why acting appealed to this quiet, unnoticeable person
✔️How reconnecting with a cast member 15 years after first meeting on the set changed his life
✔️The 7/11 concept in Hollywood studios
✔️Imposter syndrome and why so many actors suffer with it
✔️The parallels between his life and the life of the man whom he portrayed on TV
✔️Melissa’s mother’s outburst on set and the reason behind it
✔️Rejection from Madonna and William Shatner
✔️Chapter 15 will have you Googling what he doesn’t share…
✔️How Capt. B.J. Honeycutt appeared as one of those 6 degrees of connection in his life
✔️How Edwin S. Friendly, Jr.’s daughter, Brooke, is to thank for the influence in his life.
✔️Why LHOTP was so popular and what Michale Landon created that was so well received
✔️the huge impact of our choices
I highly recommend this to all LHOTP lovers and memoir readers alike!
June 25, 2024
This book was quite the standout, compared to some other memoirs I’ve recently read.
Dean Butler, who will forever be known as “Almanzo” from the “Little House” tv series, wrote his memoir in a warm, affectionate tone. He told of his life before, during, and after that iconic role, but “not all and everything that happened”. And that was fine with me; his choice to leave out juicy Hollywood gossip and focus instead on memories that were important to him made this book an enjoyable read.
The forwards at the beginning, from “Laura” and “Nellie”, were the perfect way to start it off! Those set the tone for the entire book!
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
Dean Butler, who will forever be known as “Almanzo” from the “Little House” tv series, wrote his memoir in a warm, affectionate tone. He told of his life before, during, and after that iconic role, but “not all and everything that happened”. And that was fine with me; his choice to leave out juicy Hollywood gossip and focus instead on memories that were important to him made this book an enjoyable read.
The forwards at the beginning, from “Laura” and “Nellie”, were the perfect way to start it off! Those set the tone for the entire book!
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
July 28, 2024
I learned so much about my fellow cast member, Dean Butler, from reading Prairie Man. What you see is what you get with Dean, and yet I found it extremely fascinating to hear about his life before Little House... and my daughter got a kick out of the "Into The Woods" (a family fav musical) season of acting.
July 3, 2024
Add Dean Butler to the growing list of disappointing memoirs from Little House cast members. I've read autobiographies from at least six actresses on the show, but Butler appears to be the first male cast member to write one. None of them are very good, except the amazingly brazen Alison Arngrim's hilarious take on the series and little-known Charlotte Stewart, who played proper Miss Beadle but was a wild child in real life.
The performers that portrayed the actual Ingalls/Wilder family members all have flawed and dull remembrances of the show. All say the same thing about walking on eggshells around Michael Landon, and fail to provide a complete, rounded memoir of their own lives. Bulter's book is no different.
Prairie Man is not well written, verbose in boring sections and sparse in the parts that should have been detailed. We learn too much about his rich ancestors, get a lot of repetitive information (some things are stated four or five times throughout the text), and there's not enough about the making of any of the shows he acted in, including the New Gidget sitcom and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He even mentions being in Circus of the Stars and tells us nothing about it!
The book is also filled with errors, most of them dealing with the TV industry, which is odd since the author went on to spend the last couple decades behind-the-scenes in television production.
A couple times he mentions how in the 1970s there were only three networks and "no option to pay more for additional programming." He is so wrong--cable started around 1950, people in many places in America paid for channels that weren't local, TBS went national in 1977 as did other networks like CBN, and costly channel HBO had been around since 1972! People in some places paid for TV before Little House even came on the air.
He also states that Leonard Nimoy's show In Search Of was "on ABC," when in truth it was a syndicated program that aired on different affiliates across the country. He calls ICM, a company with agents, an "acronym," but it's not--an acronym is pronounced as one word (this is a common error, even for dictionary websites). Butler also writes that when he turned down a sitcom pilot called Waverly Wonders it "never got on ABC's fall schedule," implying he was happy he didn't do the pilot because it never went to air. Um, Waverly Wonders was a notorious NBC sitcom that was on the air as a series in 1978.
Add his misstatement that President "Richard Nixon, before Watergate took down his presidency, wanted to appear on Laugh-In." Dean, Nixon appeared on the #1 TV show Laugh-In in 1968, a couple of months before he was elected president for the first time.
And speaking of ratings--Butler makes the claim of Little House that "the first season ended with the show on top of the ratings." It ranked 13th out of all the shows that year. That's not on top.
Butler spends way too many pages on the debate over how proper it was to have 15-year-old Melissa Gilbert play a role where she falls in love with a 23-year-old actor playing Almanzo Wilder. There really is no reason for any debate--the real Laura Ingalls was 16 when she fell in love with ten-years-older Almanzo, and they were forced to wait until she was 18 when they married. The TV series simply followed Laura's real life underage romance. End of controversy.
But Butler goes on and on about how such a scandalous age difference could never be on television today. In two different sections of the book. Really? I've seen a number of films, Lifetime-type movies, and even series where young teens fall in love with teachers, older guys have sex with teens, etc. It's simply no big deal what happened during Little House because it was based on the true story!
In the book Bulter also comes off like a real know-it-all, blunt jerk. And I can confirm from someone who has worked with him that it's a true reflection of him. Not that he's impolite, but his patrician background makes him seem like he is above everyone. The book gives plenty of examples of that--and he halfway apologizes. But he adds, "Sometimes doing the right thing does mean standing up and telling someone to eff off."
This is the brainiac who walked into his audition for Air Wolf and said to the showrunner, "How many shows can you make about a helicopter?" No wonder he was immediately told to leave and not hired.
The biggest shock on the pages is his love life--which he barely alludes to. The guy was engaged to Mary Hart? What an odd combination. Then after praising his current wife non-stop (along with an odd love for his first high school girlfriend that runs throughout) near the end he slips in that he was married a first time, which went without mention during those earlier years, and he refuses to give details about the woman. So a quick online search discovers that his Wikipedia page is incorrect (he didn't just have his one current wife) and some digging came up with the answer that he was married long ago to Rainer Grant, who was a small-time actress in some sexy films and is called on one site a "stripper." Odd that he'd keep that major information out of a memoir.
There are so many details about Little House and his life that he doesn't address--entire years are skipped over. This just seems like the same old Little House rehash that's filled with unimportant, insignificant stuff. Some fans will be thrilled to just get another Little House autobiography; the real problem with this one is that this prairie actor isn't Manly enough.
The performers that portrayed the actual Ingalls/Wilder family members all have flawed and dull remembrances of the show. All say the same thing about walking on eggshells around Michael Landon, and fail to provide a complete, rounded memoir of their own lives. Bulter's book is no different.
Prairie Man is not well written, verbose in boring sections and sparse in the parts that should have been detailed. We learn too much about his rich ancestors, get a lot of repetitive information (some things are stated four or five times throughout the text), and there's not enough about the making of any of the shows he acted in, including the New Gidget sitcom and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He even mentions being in Circus of the Stars and tells us nothing about it!
The book is also filled with errors, most of them dealing with the TV industry, which is odd since the author went on to spend the last couple decades behind-the-scenes in television production.
A couple times he mentions how in the 1970s there were only three networks and "no option to pay more for additional programming." He is so wrong--cable started around 1950, people in many places in America paid for channels that weren't local, TBS went national in 1977 as did other networks like CBN, and costly channel HBO had been around since 1972! People in some places paid for TV before Little House even came on the air.
He also states that Leonard Nimoy's show In Search Of was "on ABC," when in truth it was a syndicated program that aired on different affiliates across the country. He calls ICM, a company with agents, an "acronym," but it's not--an acronym is pronounced as one word (this is a common error, even for dictionary websites). Butler also writes that when he turned down a sitcom pilot called Waverly Wonders it "never got on ABC's fall schedule," implying he was happy he didn't do the pilot because it never went to air. Um, Waverly Wonders was a notorious NBC sitcom that was on the air as a series in 1978.
Add his misstatement that President "Richard Nixon, before Watergate took down his presidency, wanted to appear on Laugh-In." Dean, Nixon appeared on the #1 TV show Laugh-In in 1968, a couple of months before he was elected president for the first time.
And speaking of ratings--Butler makes the claim of Little House that "the first season ended with the show on top of the ratings." It ranked 13th out of all the shows that year. That's not on top.
Butler spends way too many pages on the debate over how proper it was to have 15-year-old Melissa Gilbert play a role where she falls in love with a 23-year-old actor playing Almanzo Wilder. There really is no reason for any debate--the real Laura Ingalls was 16 when she fell in love with ten-years-older Almanzo, and they were forced to wait until she was 18 when they married. The TV series simply followed Laura's real life underage romance. End of controversy.
But Butler goes on and on about how such a scandalous age difference could never be on television today. In two different sections of the book. Really? I've seen a number of films, Lifetime-type movies, and even series where young teens fall in love with teachers, older guys have sex with teens, etc. It's simply no big deal what happened during Little House because it was based on the true story!
In the book Bulter also comes off like a real know-it-all, blunt jerk. And I can confirm from someone who has worked with him that it's a true reflection of him. Not that he's impolite, but his patrician background makes him seem like he is above everyone. The book gives plenty of examples of that--and he halfway apologizes. But he adds, "Sometimes doing the right thing does mean standing up and telling someone to eff off."
This is the brainiac who walked into his audition for Air Wolf and said to the showrunner, "How many shows can you make about a helicopter?" No wonder he was immediately told to leave and not hired.
The biggest shock on the pages is his love life--which he barely alludes to. The guy was engaged to Mary Hart? What an odd combination. Then after praising his current wife non-stop (along with an odd love for his first high school girlfriend that runs throughout) near the end he slips in that he was married a first time, which went without mention during those earlier years, and he refuses to give details about the woman. So a quick online search discovers that his Wikipedia page is incorrect (he didn't just have his one current wife) and some digging came up with the answer that he was married long ago to Rainer Grant, who was a small-time actress in some sexy films and is called on one site a "stripper." Odd that he'd keep that major information out of a memoir.
There are so many details about Little House and his life that he doesn't address--entire years are skipped over. This just seems like the same old Little House rehash that's filled with unimportant, insignificant stuff. Some fans will be thrilled to just get another Little House autobiography; the real problem with this one is that this prairie actor isn't Manly enough.
July 3, 2024
First off, I am so grateful for receiving an ARC for this book! Thank you to Dean Butler, NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review. These thoughts are all my own thoughts. I devoured this book! I loved learning about Dean Butler’s life and everything leading up to his iconic role as Almanzo Wilder. My family are huge fans of Little House on the Prairie and Almanzo has always been one of our favorite characters. My two young children love him and constantly reference “Farmer Boy” Almanzo in their day to day playing. It was interesting, but not surprising to read that Dean and Almanzo have many similarities. To me, Dean is Almanzo! I really enjoyed learning about what led him to acting and his interpersonal relationships. I also loved reading about all of the interactions with his fellow cast members such as Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, and Alison Arngrim. This book immediately made me start watching the season when Almanzo made his debut! I loved this memoir and give this book a solid 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I hope you read it!
March 16, 2025
All it took was the theme music to play and everyone under 18 came running down the halls to see the TV screen filled with those pioneer-bonneted girls tumbling down those grassy hills in the sunshine as we settled into our usual spots in the living room. Mom would have busy hands as she leaned in the doorway from the kitchen - a perfect place with a good view of the TV. If Dad was around, he'd stay or go depending on his day and mood.
As for the rest of us - We never missed Little House. Never.
It was a pleasure to read Dean Butler's even-handed and respectful telling of his years on this show. Sometimes reminiscence writings of Hollywood experiences can get catty and mean - I didn't want that to taint my fond memories of that time with my family, nor my memories of the many times I read all of Laura's books throughout my growing up days. There isn't a bit of that in his book, yet it is full of information and his own mixed experiences in a hard career and a hard land to have them. A very satisfying read for this reader.
*A sincere thank you to Dean Butler, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*
As for the rest of us - We never missed Little House. Never.
It was a pleasure to read Dean Butler's even-handed and respectful telling of his years on this show. Sometimes reminiscence writings of Hollywood experiences can get catty and mean - I didn't want that to taint my fond memories of that time with my family, nor my memories of the many times I read all of Laura's books throughout my growing up days. There isn't a bit of that in his book, yet it is full of information and his own mixed experiences in a hard career and a hard land to have them. A very satisfying read for this reader.
*A sincere thank you to Dean Butler, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*
July 5, 2024
Wow! I know I’m a generous giver of stars but this has to be worth ten stars in my opinion. Dean Butler pours his soul out in such a way it pulled on my heartstrings. He “took no victims” as he told the story of his Little House Life and Beyond. His candor is real. He has an attitude of gratitude. This is the best memoir I’ve ever read. Honestly my thoughts are everywhere and I’m not giving this review justice, I apologize. Just read this book, especially if you love Little House on The Prairie, you won’t be disappointed. Well, if you’re looking for him to trash someone you may be disappointed because he doesn’t do that. He is kind, compassionate, and really tries to do the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder justice in a very respectful way.
June 21, 2024
Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond is the autobiography of Dean Butler, who played Almanzo Wilder in the beloved TV series Little House on the Prairie. His memoir takes readers from his family history, his teen years (when he discovered acting), and his acting career including Forever, Little House on the Prairie, and The New Gidget ... as well as his work on Broadway and as a documentary producer.
I wanted to read this book because I love all things Little House. I grew up with the books and also love the series. When it originally aired, I was the same age as the older girls in the cast, so found it very relatable. Dean Butler's portrayal of Almanzo was one of my favorites on the show - he just embodied the character.
I enjoyed this book even more than anticipated. Dean's family has been in California for five generations and own a family ranch. He sensed a real connection with Almanzo's history and story, and I found these passages of the book particularly interesting.
I recall seeing Forever when it first aired (after reading the Judy Blume book, which was very popular!). And, as someone who grew up with the Little House books, it was fun seeing Laura and Almanzo's romance brought to life on screen. I greatly enjoyed the LHOTP anecdotes, which were new for me. It was great reading Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim's forwards to the book as well.
I found Dean's work after LHOTP interesting too. I especially enjoyed his Broadway stories (I love Into the Woods) and tales of producing documentaries.
I recommend Prairie Man for fans of Little House on the Prairie. It's a wonderful read. Dean Butler seems as inherently kind and decent in this book as he does on screen, and that is really nice (and rare) to see.
I wanted to read this book because I love all things Little House. I grew up with the books and also love the series. When it originally aired, I was the same age as the older girls in the cast, so found it very relatable. Dean Butler's portrayal of Almanzo was one of my favorites on the show - he just embodied the character.
I enjoyed this book even more than anticipated. Dean's family has been in California for five generations and own a family ranch. He sensed a real connection with Almanzo's history and story, and I found these passages of the book particularly interesting.
I recall seeing Forever when it first aired (after reading the Judy Blume book, which was very popular!). And, as someone who grew up with the Little House books, it was fun seeing Laura and Almanzo's romance brought to life on screen. I greatly enjoyed the LHOTP anecdotes, which were new for me. It was great reading Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim's forwards to the book as well.
I found Dean's work after LHOTP interesting too. I especially enjoyed his Broadway stories (I love Into the Woods) and tales of producing documentaries.
I recommend Prairie Man for fans of Little House on the Prairie. It's a wonderful read. Dean Butler seems as inherently kind and decent in this book as he does on screen, and that is really nice (and rare) to see.
July 18, 2024
I thought this was a very interesting and fun behind the scenes look at one of the most iconic shows in tv history, Little House on the Priarie. I remember watching when he appeared on the show and Laura Ingalls, played perfectly by Melissa Gilbert, and she fell deeply in love at first sight. What a romantic story...it was a great family show. His story is engaging, and it's so fun listening to the material by the author because it feels more genuine. I highly recommend this book. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.
August 5, 2024
My first major childhood crush, Almazo! 😍 This is a great memoir and I love that he’s the kind of guy that I’d hoped he’d be, not a Hollywood bad boy but more like the boy next door.
June 17, 2024
”I’ve embraced that I was Almanzo, and I’ve grown more grateful for my chance to be such a crucial part of American popular culture”….
Dean Butler’s life changed when he was cast as Almanzo Wilder, the future husband of Laura Ingalls on the popular TV series Little House on the Prairie. With the show already several seasons into its run, Butler was under intense scrutiny playing the man who won “half pint’s” heart. For decades now, Butler has been defined by the public as Almanzo, something he is very grateful for. Now, in his own words, Butler recounts his career on Little House and beyond, his Little House cast that was like family, and his own upbringing. He also delves into the real life Almanzo and how he wanted to do his part to deepen fans’ understanding of the man he portrayed.
In his memoir, Butler discussed his audition process and what it was like to meet Michael Landon, “that” kiss with Melissa Gilbert and shares his experience with the cast. He also describes his own family, why acting appealed to him and the career he had beyond Little House, which has been quite extensive. But what really got me in this book was Butler’s writing style. He has a kind, easygoing manner that comes through in his writing; indeed, it felt like I was just having a conversation with him while I was reading. Throughout the memoir, Butler remains humble and gracious for what he calls the “greatest gift of his life” in playing Almanzo.
I grew up watching “Little House” reruns, and I am a HUGE fan! Because of the show, I also got into the books and have an entire bookcase dedicated to Little House. When I saw Dean Butler was writing a memoir, I reached out for a copy and not only did he deliver, but he was so polite and kind in his response that it stayed with me. As I read his book, I came to realize that is just the kind of man Butler is: whether saying “how do you do” when he meets someone new or devoting countless time and energy to Little House, Butler is the definition of a Southern gentleman.
Dean, I am honored to have read your book! Thank you.
”Prairie Man: My Little House Life and Beyond” releases June 25, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Thank you to Dean Butler and Kensington Books for the ARC!
Dean Butler’s life changed when he was cast as Almanzo Wilder, the future husband of Laura Ingalls on the popular TV series Little House on the Prairie. With the show already several seasons into its run, Butler was under intense scrutiny playing the man who won “half pint’s” heart. For decades now, Butler has been defined by the public as Almanzo, something he is very grateful for. Now, in his own words, Butler recounts his career on Little House and beyond, his Little House cast that was like family, and his own upbringing. He also delves into the real life Almanzo and how he wanted to do his part to deepen fans’ understanding of the man he portrayed.
In his memoir, Butler discussed his audition process and what it was like to meet Michael Landon, “that” kiss with Melissa Gilbert and shares his experience with the cast. He also describes his own family, why acting appealed to him and the career he had beyond Little House, which has been quite extensive. But what really got me in this book was Butler’s writing style. He has a kind, easygoing manner that comes through in his writing; indeed, it felt like I was just having a conversation with him while I was reading. Throughout the memoir, Butler remains humble and gracious for what he calls the “greatest gift of his life” in playing Almanzo.
I grew up watching “Little House” reruns, and I am a HUGE fan! Because of the show, I also got into the books and have an entire bookcase dedicated to Little House. When I saw Dean Butler was writing a memoir, I reached out for a copy and not only did he deliver, but he was so polite and kind in his response that it stayed with me. As I read his book, I came to realize that is just the kind of man Butler is: whether saying “how do you do” when he meets someone new or devoting countless time and energy to Little House, Butler is the definition of a Southern gentleman.
Dean, I am honored to have read your book! Thank you.
”Prairie Man: My Little House Life and Beyond” releases June 25, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Thank you to Dean Butler and Kensington Books for the ARC!
July 6, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my review. Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I have been a Little House fan since I was a little girl. I read all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books and watched the show every week with my mom & sister. Then shared it all with my children. I loved discovering what led Dean to his iconic role of Almanzo and his affection for his fellow cast mates and crew. It is a warm, affectionate look back at not only that role but what followed for him in Hollywood. Thank you to Dean Butler for sharing your life and thought with us! I recommend this to any and all fans of Little House!
June 17, 2024
Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Dean Butler for the advanced reader copy of the book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.
I grew up a huge fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” book series. I was a more tepid fan of the television series, as there was little that connected it to the actual books, other than the name of the characters. I still enjoyed it to a certain degree and have read the memoirs of several of the series’ stars.
Dean Butler joined the cast about midway through its run as Almanzo Wilder. In real life, Laura was 15 when she first began seeing the man she would marry who was ten years her senior. This presented a bit of a problem, even in the 1970s for Butler and the cast of Little House. What helped was Butler’s good nature and a bit of naivete that bled through to the role of Almanzo.
It’s hard to believe that this man grew up teased and bullied in school, but he did. He was not the sports type, and ended up a part of the AV squad and announcing his high school’s basketball games. This gave him a bit of relief from the teasing. It also connected him to the world of show business, and he soon wanted to try his hand at acting.
To read my full review please go to Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond by Dean Butler
I grew up a huge fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” book series. I was a more tepid fan of the television series, as there was little that connected it to the actual books, other than the name of the characters. I still enjoyed it to a certain degree and have read the memoirs of several of the series’ stars.
Dean Butler joined the cast about midway through its run as Almanzo Wilder. In real life, Laura was 15 when she first began seeing the man she would marry who was ten years her senior. This presented a bit of a problem, even in the 1970s for Butler and the cast of Little House. What helped was Butler’s good nature and a bit of naivete that bled through to the role of Almanzo.
It’s hard to believe that this man grew up teased and bullied in school, but he did. He was not the sports type, and ended up a part of the AV squad and announcing his high school’s basketball games. This gave him a bit of relief from the teasing. It also connected him to the world of show business, and he soon wanted to try his hand at acting.
To read my full review please go to Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond by Dean Butler
May 3, 2024
A very enjoyable read!! I know of the existence of several memoirs by various LHOTP cast members, but this is the first one I've read; as such, I really appreciated Butler's behind-the-scenes insights. While I also appreciated his own personal pioneer family history, the way he tried to connect it to the real Almanzo Wilder's life story as though he were fated to play the role felt like a bit of a stretch at times ("Almanzo" sounding similar to one of his ancestor's middle name, "Alfonso"? Really??). But overall, this was a very gracious life story, candidly told, with a very deep sense of gratitude for the highs and lows of a stage and screen career that I honestly knew nothing about beyond LHOTP. Recommended!
September 18, 2024
This was an interesting memoir, but sad because of some of the content. Language sprinkled throughout, several mentions of premarital s*x, mentions of drug use, and mentions of affairs/other promiscuity.
I was hoping the book would close with Dean having found the Lord so that there was a true redeeming ending, but that was not the case.
I was hoping the book would close with Dean having found the Lord so that there was a true redeeming ending, but that was not the case.
June 16, 2025
I was a huge fan of the Little House on the Prairie books and television series, so I was eager to pick up Dean Butler's (Almanzo) memoir. I have previously read Melissa Gilbert's (Laura), Karen Grassle's (Ma), Charlotte Stewart's (Miss Beadle), Melissa Sue Anderson's (Mary) and Alison Arngrim's (Nellie) books, so I was curious to see how a man's perspective would compare to theirs.
Butler shares how he treasures his iconic character, realizing that even with other acting credits, he will always be recognized from his LHOTP role. He certainly shares his remembrances of the series, but also shares his life with all its career ups and downs. With acting roles drying up for him, he happily segued into behind-the-scenes work in documentaries and the Golf Channel series Feherty. I was glad he addressed the problematic Michael Landon, recognizing him for his creative work but calling him out on his sexist (especially towards Karen Grassle) and authoritarian ways on the set.
Butler comes off as earnest and down-to-earth, which I was thankful for, as I had a bit of a crush on him back in the day. I think he worried too much about the Laura and Almanzo kiss and romance on the show; their age gap was even larger in real life. Fifty years after the series premiere, I'm glad he and Alison Arngrim have become the faces of keeping LHOTP in the public eye.
Butler shares how he treasures his iconic character, realizing that even with other acting credits, he will always be recognized from his LHOTP role. He certainly shares his remembrances of the series, but also shares his life with all its career ups and downs. With acting roles drying up for him, he happily segued into behind-the-scenes work in documentaries and the Golf Channel series Feherty. I was glad he addressed the problematic Michael Landon, recognizing him for his creative work but calling him out on his sexist (especially towards Karen Grassle) and authoritarian ways on the set.
Butler comes off as earnest and down-to-earth, which I was thankful for, as I had a bit of a crush on him back in the day. I think he worried too much about the Laura and Almanzo kiss and romance on the show; their age gap was even larger in real life. Fifty years after the series premiere, I'm glad he and Alison Arngrim have become the faces of keeping LHOTP in the public eye.
April 26, 2024
I received a free digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Citadel Books. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Little House on the Prairie television series inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. There have been and will be many in-person events across the country featuring many of the cast members. I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Butler 15 years ago at Laura Ingalls Wilder Days at Heritage Hill State Historical Park. I had two daughters and a son at the time and was expecting my fourth child. I was able to get two copies of Farmer Boy signed by Dean Butler for my daughters and enjoyed a talk he gave about the show and the books. (I also went the following year with Alison Arngrim as the featured speaker. If you have a chance to attend one of these events, do it!)
If there’s one thing you can take away from this book is that Butler has fully embraced his legacy as Almanzo Wilder of the small screen. This book comes across like a casual conversation between friends. He’s very interested in history and can proudly say he’s a 6th or 7th generation Californian. He knows his family history for the most part, which he relays in an entertaining manner, and he’s also very aware of the real history of Laura and Almanzo Wilder. He may not have come into the roll of Almanzo Wilder knowing anything about the books, but he sure does now.
Besides sharing his memories of his time on LHOTP, Butler also talks about some of the other roles he’s had over the years, both in front of and behind the camera. The big break for him was the TV movie, Forever, based upon the salacious Judy Blume YA novel that my friends and I smuggled into school and read at recess time. He was also in the New Gidget, which I remember watching because I loved the Sally Field version well and because he was in it. I did not know he was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer portraying her dad as I’ve never watched the show, but now I may check it out.
For as much as Prairie Man comes across as a book where the author is an open book, he does mention that he hasn’t revealed all. Heck, he spent a chapter vaguely talking about a relationship that ended up in a brief first marriage without even mentioning the woman’s name. A quick Google search reveals nothing, which is fine. I don’t believe Butler owes us every detail of his life. He could have not mentioned it at all.
The memories of his five years working with Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon are fleshed out and he’s quite candid about things. He emphasized that the Michael Landon he worked with was different than the Landon Melissa Gilbert worked with, and different from Karen Grassle’s memories. I honestly don’t know how any work got done with all the drinking done behind the scenes. I recently rewatched Little House on the Prairie and despite its wholesome image, there were some really heavy and depressing episodes. I still love it, but you definitely see things differently as an adult that you don’t notice as a child.
I’ve been revisiting as many of the LHOTP cast members’ memoirs this year and have to say that Butler’s is among the best. Keep an eye on this space for a round-up of reviews!
For more reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
The Little House on the Prairie television series inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. There have been and will be many in-person events across the country featuring many of the cast members. I had the pleasure of meeting Dean Butler 15 years ago at Laura Ingalls Wilder Days at Heritage Hill State Historical Park. I had two daughters and a son at the time and was expecting my fourth child. I was able to get two copies of Farmer Boy signed by Dean Butler for my daughters and enjoyed a talk he gave about the show and the books. (I also went the following year with Alison Arngrim as the featured speaker. If you have a chance to attend one of these events, do it!)
If there’s one thing you can take away from this book is that Butler has fully embraced his legacy as Almanzo Wilder of the small screen. This book comes across like a casual conversation between friends. He’s very interested in history and can proudly say he’s a 6th or 7th generation Californian. He knows his family history for the most part, which he relays in an entertaining manner, and he’s also very aware of the real history of Laura and Almanzo Wilder. He may not have come into the roll of Almanzo Wilder knowing anything about the books, but he sure does now.
Besides sharing his memories of his time on LHOTP, Butler also talks about some of the other roles he’s had over the years, both in front of and behind the camera. The big break for him was the TV movie, Forever, based upon the salacious Judy Blume YA novel that my friends and I smuggled into school and read at recess time. He was also in the New Gidget, which I remember watching because I loved the Sally Field version well and because he was in it. I did not know he was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer portraying her dad as I’ve never watched the show, but now I may check it out.
For as much as Prairie Man comes across as a book where the author is an open book, he does mention that he hasn’t revealed all. Heck, he spent a chapter vaguely talking about a relationship that ended up in a brief first marriage without even mentioning the woman’s name. A quick Google search reveals nothing, which is fine. I don’t believe Butler owes us every detail of his life. He could have not mentioned it at all.
The memories of his five years working with Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon are fleshed out and he’s quite candid about things. He emphasized that the Michael Landon he worked with was different than the Landon Melissa Gilbert worked with, and different from Karen Grassle’s memories. I honestly don’t know how any work got done with all the drinking done behind the scenes. I recently rewatched Little House on the Prairie and despite its wholesome image, there were some really heavy and depressing episodes. I still love it, but you definitely see things differently as an adult that you don’t notice as a child.
I’ve been revisiting as many of the LHOTP cast members’ memoirs this year and have to say that Butler’s is among the best. Keep an eye on this space for a round-up of reviews!
For more reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
July 5, 2024
5 stars. Can I give it 10? Gladly I would. I am a LHOP fan. Have seen every episode multiple times (I’m a 72 baby). This is my first LHOP memoir. Dean Butler. What a treasure. An absolutely genuine, honest, candid and humble man who gives a riveting insight into LHOP experience as well as the many other aspects of his life while being 100% respectful towards those he mentions in the book without holding back pertinent information. Dean writes beautifully, and is genuine in his feelings towards others with gratitude and thanks which I feel is so lacking in many celebrities of today. While the reflections on LHOP was my main interest, I was pleasantly surprised that Dean was the producer for FAHERTY, a podcast/sports show that I loved so much, featuring golf stars as well as other well known favorite athletes from other sports. I loved that show and it was awesome to learn about the making of the show and special behind the scenes moments. This is a memoir I devoured in one day and was wanting more. I wished that Michael Landon would have been closer to Dean and there was a lasting bond there, and I appreciate Dean’s honesty and down to earth approach in describing his relationships with those he worked so closely with. It’s evident that Dean has a lasting love and passion for the LHOP and and I’m so thankful that he wrote this book to give us a glimpse into his experiences on the show as well as his family history and personal love life. He’s an amazing person and I hope this book is a huge success. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Highbridge audio, and Dean Butler for allowing me access to this wonderful book.
May 26, 2024
I was so excited to see that Dean Butler had finally written a book, and even more excited to get to review it. Was there a girl in the 80’s that didn’t love Little House on the Prairie in general, and the addition of “Manly” in particular?
Unfortunately, this book left me feeling disappointed. As the author wandered deep into his family genealogy and personal stories, I had trouble staying interested. It finally came to a few chapters about Little House, before venturing into the rest of his career. The further it went into his personal life and career choices, and as the foul language increased, I flipped to the end, where it circled back briefly to Little House after some lengthy ramblings. I was left wanting so much more from the Little House days, and was overall just ready to be done.
While nothing can taint my fond memories of indulging in an episode of LHOTP as a young girl, I am sad to say that this is not a book I would buy for my shelf or for a gift.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Kensington Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, this book left me feeling disappointed. As the author wandered deep into his family genealogy and personal stories, I had trouble staying interested. It finally came to a few chapters about Little House, before venturing into the rest of his career. The further it went into his personal life and career choices, and as the foul language increased, I flipped to the end, where it circled back briefly to Little House after some lengthy ramblings. I was left wanting so much more from the Little House days, and was overall just ready to be done.
While nothing can taint my fond memories of indulging in an episode of LHOTP as a young girl, I am sad to say that this is not a book I would buy for my shelf or for a gift.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Kensington Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 14, 2024
A great book by a great guy! "Prairie Man" recounts Dean Butler's life and his place in the Little House on the Prarie cast of characters! Recounts his path into the world of Hollywood as he becomes an actor then lands the coveted role of Almanzo on the well loved TV show. Fascinating, detailed, and hard to put down, I truly loved this book and the background it provided on Dean, Little House and other shows and projects he has been involved with. Nice to have a man's viewpoint on the happenings in Simi Valley for a change! Buy it, read it, love it, and wish there was more like me!
July 17, 2024
Exactly what I was looking for! I have read autobiographies of most of the cast of one of my favorite TV
shows, Little House on the Prairie. It’s nice to get a man’s perspective. Plus, Dean is just how I thought he is. No scandals, shocking revelations, but, in no way is his book boring! It kept me interested from page 1!
shows, Little House on the Prairie. It’s nice to get a man’s perspective. Plus, Dean is just how I thought he is. No scandals, shocking revelations, but, in no way is his book boring! It kept me interested from page 1!
July 6, 2024
Dean Butler’s "Prairie Man" is an engaging and insightful read that offers a fascinating glimpse into the journey that led him to his iconic role on "Little House on the Prairie." Butler's storytelling is captivating, drawing readers into his world and the experiences that shaped his career and life.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is how Butler’s character shines through the pages. His steady and kind demeanor, both on and off-screen, is evident throughout the narrative. It’s clear that the values and principles he holds dear have remained a constant in his life, and this steadiness has undoubtedly contributed to his enduring success and likability.
Overall, "Prairie Man" is a heartfelt and inspiring book that not only fans of "Little House on the Prairie" will appreciate but also anyone interested in the personal growth and resilience of a genuinely kind individual. I highly recommend it.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is how Butler’s character shines through the pages. His steady and kind demeanor, both on and off-screen, is evident throughout the narrative. It’s clear that the values and principles he holds dear have remained a constant in his life, and this steadiness has undoubtedly contributed to his enduring success and likability.
Overall, "Prairie Man" is a heartfelt and inspiring book that not only fans of "Little House on the Prairie" will appreciate but also anyone interested in the personal growth and resilience of a genuinely kind individual. I highly recommend it.
July 9, 2024
I enjoyed listening to this a lot, which doesn't surprise me as I adored Little House in both book and television formats. But besides Little House, this book also had some interesting insights into acting and producing. And surprisingly, some great comments on family history and how it affects us. I'm glad I read it.
June 28, 2024
I am a relative rarity: a man who grew up loving Little House on the Prairie. (I also liked ChiPs and Battlestar Galactica.). Though I had a huge and understandable crush on Melissa Sue Anderson, the Almanzo/Laura storyline came just as I hit puberty. I was fascinated.
I have read the other great Little House memoirs. Now, we have one from a male cast member!
I wish more memoirs were like Dean Butler's. He manages to be engaging and fascinating without engaging in scandal. He is nothing but kind and respectful to his co-stars. I found the parallels between his relationship with his own father and Michael Landon (who played his father-in-law) to be very intriguing. The deeper into the book I got, the more I got an appreciation for Landon's genius in casting Dean!
I had forgotten Dean was on the New Gidget, and I had no idea about his other adventures in Hollywood. It is all an interesting and compelling read. I especially was struck by how forthright he is about how the industry's attitude towards women has changed, and how his casting (with the age gap) would not be possible now. This is a decent, funny, gentleman. I recommend this with high enthusiasm.
I have read the other great Little House memoirs. Now, we have one from a male cast member!
I wish more memoirs were like Dean Butler's. He manages to be engaging and fascinating without engaging in scandal. He is nothing but kind and respectful to his co-stars. I found the parallels between his relationship with his own father and Michael Landon (who played his father-in-law) to be very intriguing. The deeper into the book I got, the more I got an appreciation for Landon's genius in casting Dean!
I had forgotten Dean was on the New Gidget, and I had no idea about his other adventures in Hollywood. It is all an interesting and compelling read. I especially was struck by how forthright he is about how the industry's attitude towards women has changed, and how his casting (with the age gap) would not be possible now. This is a decent, funny, gentleman. I recommend this with high enthusiasm.
July 5, 2024
A great memoir about Dean Butler that not only sheds light onto his life but also the Life of Little House and the Prairie. It’s a glimpse into the glamour of Hollywood both then and now. It was filled with insights and didn’t shy away from some hard pieces while maintaining dignity for others at the same time. I really enjoyed the audio version of this one since Dean read it himself. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the read.
July 7, 2024
I no am a sucker for 70’s and 80’s sitcom stars books. It was a lovely read.
June 8, 2024
his is memoir written by the man who played half pints husband on, "Little House On The Prairie". With a foreword written by Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie)! I enjoyed him telling of his family, and there were many which he speaks of several generations he spoke of. Then onto his interest of acting, which started in High School, in CA. He did go onto getting a college degree, his father had a great roll in encouraging him to succeed in doing so. Dean spent five years with Little House on the Prairie and into the additional series made "Little House On The Prairie The New Beginning". It was felt they could no longer find scripts to continue on the other series. Now these shows were never written as in Laura Ingalls Wilder's books were . It was all handwritten by her with the help of her daughter, Rose Wilder.
When the shows ended, Dean went on to other types of acting. He did movies, other TV shows and then went on the help produce other shows. As he wanted to get behind the camera. In later years he married, Katherine Cannon, who also was is an actor. She understood his love for acting. He not only did TV shows but he also did Broadway.
I want to thank Dean for telling us of his life, family, friends and his experiences in life. Also thank you to Citadel Press and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. It is an honor to be included as a reader to give my opinion before publishing.
When the shows ended, Dean went on to other types of acting. He did movies, other TV shows and then went on the help produce other shows. As he wanted to get behind the camera. In later years he married, Katherine Cannon, who also was is an actor. She understood his love for acting. He not only did TV shows but he also did Broadway.
I want to thank Dean for telling us of his life, family, friends and his experiences in life. Also thank you to Citadel Press and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. It is an honor to be included as a reader to give my opinion before publishing.
September 7, 2025
Wonderful! Dean does a great job of giving us the details we want to hear without salacious gossip. He is truthful about his experiences while being respectful of those he has worked and lived with along the way. Thank you, Dean for giving us the “nice-guy’s” memoir. I so enjoyed it!
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July 10, 2024Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC audiobook!
I love Little House on the Prairie and loved learning behind the scenes stories about it and Dean Butlers life. Such a good guy with honest and heartfelt stories. It is read by him great narration!
I love Little House on the Prairie and loved learning behind the scenes stories about it and Dean Butlers life. Such a good guy with honest and heartfelt stories. It is read by him great narration!
August 3, 2024
'Little House On The Prairie' is very nostalgic for me because my mom was a huge fan of the show when she was growing up and watched it religiously as it first aired. As an adult who still loves the show, she showed my siblings and I the show and we all fell in love with it too and we continue to watch it together as a family even though all of us are now adults. When I seen this on NetGalley, I immediately requested it and I'm absolutely stoked I got approved! This is written in a way that feels like you're having a conversation with a friend which I like. It's well-written and is genuine. I would recommend this to any 'Little House On The Prairie' fan, those who enjoy memoirs, and anyone else who is interested in this. Special Thank You Dean Butler, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
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