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3rd out of 93 books
—
24 voters
West from Home: Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder, San Francisco, 1915 (Little House #11)
In 1915, Laura Ingalls Wilder traveled by train from her home in Missouri to San Francisco. Laura's westward journey to visit her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, coincided with a spectacular event taking place in that city-the Panama Pacific International Exposition.
This was a great world's fair celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal, and Laura was amazed by the attra...more
This was a great world's fair celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal, and Laura was amazed by the attra...more
Paperback, 1st, 192 pages
Published
October 20th 1976
by Harper & Row
(first published November 1974)
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28th out of 158 books
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26 voters
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My first impression of Laura's letters to Almanzo was that they were more practical than romantic. I forgot that they were written during a time when letters were often read a loud to anyone who would listen. Eek! I wouldn’t get too lovey-dovey either. But, the affection and at time loneliness Laura felt for her husband, pet and home still manage to roost among her vivid descriptions of San Francisco. Although she never says it plainly, I got the feeling Laura wasn’t pleased with her underachiev...more
It pays to get make friends with your librarian! The sweet woman who handles the ILL here noted my interest in all the children's books about Laura's family (for example Across the Rolling River) and told me about this book. When she didn't find it in the system, I put it out of my mind. Lo and behold, a week later I got a call saying that this and On the Way Home: The Diary of a Trip from South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894 were ready for me to pick up. Apparently she had found funds a...more
3 likes · like · see review
Oct 24, 2009
Elizabeth K.
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Elizabeth by:
Elaine
Shelves:
2007-new-reads
I liked this a lot more than I was anticipating. These letters were written by Laura to her husband, well before she wrote the Little House books, during a visit she made to their daughter in San Francisco. In addition to seeing her daughter, the other point of the trip was to see the Panama-Pacific Exposition, kind of like a World's Fair thing. It's a great look at San Francisco at this time, she does a lot of sight-seeing (at the Expo and elsewhere) and describes everything with a lot of charm...more
"It is like a fairyland." So Laura Ingalls Wilder described her 1915 voyage to San Francisco to visit her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Laura's husband, Almanzo, was unable to leave their Missouri farm and it is her faithful letters home, vividly describing every detail of her journey, that have been gathered here. Includes 24 pages of exciting photographs.
I've read just a few pages but found it interesting that Laura was called "Bessie" within her family to avoid confusion with her SIL, also name...more
I've read just a few pages but found it interesting that Laura was called "Bessie" within her family to avoid confusion with her SIL, also name...more
Though not particularly exciting, I liked “West from Home” because it feels very personal. It’s the letters that Laura actually wrote to Almanzo while she was in San Francisco during the 1915 World’s Fair. Laura was so excited to visit Rose (which was a bit of a relief to me). In “On the Way Home,” I thought that Laura and Rose’s relationship seemed a bit strained (though Rose was obviously little, and it was a stressful time), but they seemed to get along quite well in these letters. I was surp...more
San Francisco 1915, Die Panama-Pacific International Exhibition feiert die Fertigstellung des Panama Kanals im neu aufgebauten San Francisco. Laura Ingalls Wilder, die spätere Autorin des „Little house Books“ besucht zu dieser Zeit ihre Tochter Rose und deren Ehemann in San Francisco. Da Lauras Ehemann Almanzo auf dem Bauernhof bleiben musste, schreibt ihm seine treue Gattin fast täglich Briefe über das was sie gesehen und erlebt hat. Wie sie als Kind für ihre blinde Schwester Mary die Augen ers...more
I thought of this book as more of a historical document, rather than a Laura Ingalls Wilder story.
"West From Home" is a series of letters that Laura wrote to her husband Almanzo in 1915 during her trip to the World's Fair in San Francisco. Her attention to detail, and descriptions of the fair and the city have now made it an important historical account.
Many of the places that Laura visited are still in San Francisco to this day. From Telegraph Hill to Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown to Presidio Pa...more
"West From Home" is a series of letters that Laura wrote to her husband Almanzo in 1915 during her trip to the World's Fair in San Francisco. Her attention to detail, and descriptions of the fair and the city have now made it an important historical account.
Many of the places that Laura visited are still in San Francisco to this day. From Telegraph Hill to Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown to Presidio Pa...more
I read this book when I was in high school. I had read all the other Little House books. This one sat on my mother shelf completely ignored mostly because the cover looked so much different than the others. When I finally read it, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. In truth, it was good that I waited. As I don't think this book could have been appreciated by a child. What is most interesting to me are the little bits and pieces you catch that make you wonder how much Laura really...more
A wonderful collection of letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder to her husband when she went to visit their daughter, Rose, in San Francisco in 1915. It was the time of the the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and thus provides a view of both the ordinary and the spectacular in that city where so many of us have left our hearts. As a history lover, I really liked the glimpses of the time. As a reader, I liked seeing one of my favorite childhood authors in a different light. As someone interest...more
Letters from Laura to Almanzo during the year 1915 as she, a 49 year old woman, was visiting her 29 year old daughter Rose in San Francisco. There are detailed descriptions of the International Fair that was held that year. It was delightful to read of her first encounter with the Pacific Ocean, putting her feet in the waters at Ocean Beach near the cliff house. Another funny part is Rose's letter to her father, seriously conveying her concern that "Mama Bess (Laura) is getting fat." If you are...more
Instead of this being an epistolary novel, this is an actual collection of epistles—letters written by Laura to her husband while visiting their daughter. I’ve recently read about the relationship between mother and daughter and had it called “complicated” and “strained” at times. I was kind of sniffing for a whiff of that in these letters and did not find it. Laura’s descriptive ability, honed while being “eyes” for her blind sister Mary, serves her well here. Almanzo has often been described a...more
Great era-snapshop and description of the fair in San Fransisco, but honestly, I don't think I'd have been all that interested, if it hadn't been seen through the eyes of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I've always wanted to know "what happened next", and this gives a nice look into her curiosity, desire to learn and her relationship with Rose and Almanzo.
I was very interested in reading that she and Almanzo had considered moving to New Zealand at one point though. I wish they had - I would have LOVED to...more
I was very interested in reading that she and Almanzo had considered moving to New Zealand at one point though. I wish they had - I would have LOVED to...more
A quick, sometimes fascinating read, but one that didn't interest me as a kid because it came so much later in Laura's life. Despite having little personal to say to beloved Almanzo beyond how to care for the chickens and love and kisses to the dog, the glimpses of 1915 San Francisco, Cal and the Santa Clara Valley were priceless. So wish I could have visited the Panama-Pacific Intl Exposition, but I delightedly showed the kids the old Christmas card pic we'd taken in front of the Palace of Fine...more
Not bad! After the turgid 'On The Way Home,' this collection of letters (mostly from Laura to Almanzo/Manly, though her daughter writes a few missives home as well) reclaims some of the good humor and wide-eyed fascination of the last few Little House books. Laura travels to San Francisco to spend a few months with her daughter Rose, to work on some book ideas, and also to see the Panama Exhibition, which is taking place all that summer. If you've ever wondered what Laura/Mama Bess thinks about...more
This book is a collection of letters that Laura Ingalls Wilder writes to her husband Almonzo Wilder while Laura is visiting their daughter Rose in San Francisco. The letters span from the spring of 1915 to October 1915. Rose, who was a successful journalist, helps her mother with her own writing career, encouraging her mother to write her own stories and showing her how to write for a newspaper. Laura is extremely descriptive in her letters to her husband which she writers several times a week....more
So here we have it, the first book I read this year towards my New Year's Resolution of reading as many books by women authors as possible in 2012. I'm a latecomer to the world of Little House on the Prairie et al. but have fallen under their charming spell as if I were a kid again.
This book, a collection of letters that the real-life Laura wrote to her husband in 1915 whilst the former was away touring the World's Fair in San Francisco. They're charming and full of the excellent attention to d...more
I found this so fascinating, not only for the wodnerful descriptions of San Francisco and the Exhibition of 1915, but because this was apparently the beginning of Laura's writing career. For some reason I thought she had started writing at an early age. It was also interesting to see how much things cost back then, and the effect the threat of prohibition was having on California's wine industry. All in all, an enjoyable insightful read into Laura's (Bessie's) life.
A reread--but first read it a very long time ago. I loved Laura's letters, especially since they're about one of my favorite random historical subject (world's fairs). There are delightful tidbits, especially Laura's worries about Manly on the farm on his own and her struggle to practice writing with Rose.
And Rose (who continues to puzzle me!) seems much more normal in this book.
I do wonder if this book is the reason why I've had that long time interest in World's Fairs. . .
And Rose (who continues to puzzle me!) seems much more normal in this book.
I do wonder if this book is the reason why I've had that long time interest in World's Fairs. . .
this is a good quick read for history buffs. Laura gives great details about her trip to San Francisco for the Exposition. She also lets us see her concern for Almonzo. He was not a very healthy man so her concern for him is not unwarrented. Her respect for Rose and her accomplishments is very easy to discern. There is alot of humor in this little book. Keep in mind that 1) these are letters 2) it was before she began writing the Little House series.
It was interesting to read these letter that Laura sent Almonzo in 1915 during a visit to her daughter Rose. These were written before she had published anything. Her daughter was a newspaper reporter and was giving lessons in writing to Laura. Her letters are beautiful, full of extensive descriptions of everything she said or did. Letter writing has really changed!
Letters from Laura and her daughter Rose to husband/dad, Almanzo Wilder in Mansfield, Missouri from San Francisco in 1915. Amazing adventures and daily life captured plus the shadow of World War I, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and colorful people, like Henry Ford.
This book is basically just one sided letters (Laura to Almanzo) when she went to San Fran to visit Rose. It was marginally interesting. Since the series leaves off when they are still traveling around in a covered wagon, it is somewhat startling to see Laura in a more modern world.
This is a book filled with letters from Laura to Manly (Almanzo) while Laura went to visit her daughter Rose and other Lauras other trips. It is a great book if you want to learn more about Laura's personal life after writing the “Little House on the Prairie” books.
Very interesting take on San Francisco in 1915. An emphasis on the hardship that it caused for Laura to be away from home for several months. A great chapter from the life of an adult Laura Ingalls Wilder and getting to know Rose Wilder Lane.
This book is filled with letters from Laura Ingalls Wilder to her husband, Manly, as she visits their daughter in California. it was interesting to read about the things and sights of those times and I enjoyed seeing a more personal side of the author.
I know this got extra stars from me because I love San Francisco, and how can I resist such a cool account of the 1915 World's Fair PLUS glowing praise of the city I love? But it really was a fun read for anybody who enjoys local history.
Apr 23, 2012
Robin
added it
Really fantastic to read this again, but this time with access to the internets to look up where Laura and Rose stayed at the time, and pictures of the Exhibition etc. This completes my latest reading of the Little House series.
"It will be foggy and windy and dusty and gray and you will not like San Francisco while you are here, and then when you go away you will always want to come back" Rose Wilder Land to her mother, Laura Ingalls Wilder
This book was interesting to me because I read all of the little house books but I'm not sure if I'd have enjoyed it if I didn't already have an interest in Laura.
The last of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books! I enjoyed all of these, some more than others. I really love the details in this book.
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Ingalls wrote a series of historical fiction books for children based on her childhood growing up in a pioneer family. She also wrote a regular newspaper column and kept a diary as an adult moving from South Dakota to Missouri, the latter of which has been published as a book.
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Nov 18, 2012 08:24pm