An illuminating, insiders 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. nWith a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie)! n nCast 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. n nButler had been cast as a romantic lead before, notably in the made-for-TV movie of Judy Blumes 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 Gilberts first real-life romantic kiss--Butler landed as a central figure for the shows devoted fans. n nNow, 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 Buffys neer-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 Golfs Feherty--while remaining deeply loyal to Little House. n nThe 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 Butlers words, about good luck, good television, and the very good--if gloriously imperfect--people who made it so.n