This collection encompasses 50-plus years of interviews, readings, speeches, and reports on the vibrant literary scene in Minnesota. Not only home to giants F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis, our state has an array of incredible contemporary poets, novelists, and playwrights. Their words make up majority of this collection.
Repeatedly being named the “Most Literate City in the United States,” the Twin Cities has played host to numerous visiting national writers via book tours, festivals, and lectures. Many recordings of these are also included.
This project was funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission.
November 25, 1996 - Hour 2 of Midmorning features Voices of Minnesota; a conversation with Macalester College professor Diane Glancy whose Cherokee ancestors walked the infamous Trail of Tears. In her new book, Pushing the Bear, Glancy tells the story of the forced march. The United States is the only nation opposing a new term for United Nations secretary general Boutros Boutros Ghali. We'll discuss the current state of U.S./U.N. relations with Alvin Adams, the new president of the United Nations Association, the country's largest foreign policy organization.
November 25, 1996 - Midday presents a Westminster Town Hall Forum with writer, photographer, and artist Gordon Parks. His address is entitled “A Life of Art.” Parks recalls his family, time in St. Paul, and his art. Following the speech, Parks answers audience questions.
November 27, 1996 -
November 27, 1996 - MPR’s Leif Enger interviews Mary McGowan, owner of Trocano’s restaurant, about opening the doors to local community for Thanksgiving.
November 29, 1996 -
December 5, 1996 - Novelist Umberto Eco's latest book "The Island of the Day Before" tells the strange tale of a 17th century Italian adventurer who is marooned on a ship straddling the international dateline. As with his other novels, "The Name of the Rose" and "Foucault Pendulum" Eco entwines an intricate story with musings on history philosophy and what he calls "lunatic science." Eco is in the Twin Cities to read from his book. Tomorrow he travels to the St John's University in Collegeville to speak, and to visit the monastic library. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he researched "The Island of the Day Before" for five years and even went to remote Pacific islands to experience life on the international dateline.
December 6, 1996 -
December 7, 1996 - This time of year makes many people think about family - their own family and the relationships within that define it. Commentator Gary Eustice thinks there are ways generations both weaken and stregthen us.
December 9, 1996 - Hour 2 of Midmorning, featuring Voices of Minnesota with Barbara Frey, outgoing executive director of the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights and conversation with Minnesota writer Mary Casanova.
December 9, 1996 -