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 22, 2004 - Renowned Minnesotan science writer William Souder is out with a new book on a man who made important contributions, not only to the world of ornithology, but also the world of art: John James Audubon. In "Under a Wild Sky," Souder paints the picture of a deeply complex and conflicted Audubon, who failed at a number of endeavors before stumbling upon the career that made him famous.Guests: William Souder's previous book was called "A Plague of Frogs."
December 3, 2004 - Amy Tan, author of the bestselling novel "The Joy Luck Club," paid a visit to the Commonwealth Club of California this fall to discuss the relationship between her life and her work. She talked about the lessons she learned from her Chinese-American mother, her best friend's murder and her more recent battle with Lyme disease.
December 7, 2004 - In the early 1930s, Soviet recruiters persuaded thousands of Finnish-Americans from northern Minnesota to move to Stalin's Russia. They thought they were going to build a utopia, but many ended up as Stalin's victims. A new book for youngsters, "The Darkest Evening," describes the painful episode. The author is William Durbin. He talked with Mainstreet Radio's Stephanie Hemphill. William Durbin will be reading from "The Darkest Evening" at Back To Books in Hudson at noon on Sunday (Dec 12).
December 7, 2004 - In the early 1930s, Soviet recruiters persuaded thousands of Finnish-Americans from northern Minnesota to move to Stalin's Russia. They thought they were going to build a utopia, but many ended up as Stalin's victims. A new book for youngsters, "The Darkest Evening," describes the painful episode. The author is William Durbin.
December 11, 2004 - The photos are graphic and captivating. Former St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter Larry Millet has unearthed more than 200 images of car accidents, murders and suicides for his book "Strange Days, Dangerous Nights." The new book is the basis for an exhibit opening this weekend at the Minnesota History Center. Author Larry Millett joins me in the studio to talk about the haunting photos.
December 15, 2004 - The Guthrie Theater Company has revealed new details for the look of its three-stage complex on the riverfront. Eight scenes from the company's past will light up the exterior of the new building once its completed. The images feature some of the Guthrie's early work with actors Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, as well as more recent productions. Artistic Director Joe Dowling says it's a remarkable visual statement.
December 15, 2004 - The Guthrie Theater Company has revealed new details for the look of its three stage complex on the riverfront.
December 16, 2004 - The Guthrie Theater Company has revealed new details for the look of its three-stage complex on the riverfront. Eight scenes from the company's past will light up the exterior of the new building once its completed. The images feature some of the Guthrie's early work with actors Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, as well as more recent productions. Artistic Director Joe Dowling says it's a remarkable visual statement.
December 23, 2004 - Earlier in the program we talked with a Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesperson about the Christmas travel weekend. We'll end the program tonight with a holiday travel story of a different sort. Earlier this month, Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson and Tom Keith teamed up for a dramatic reading of the classic christmas story "The Polar Express". Tom Keith provided sound effects and Dan Olson read the book in front of a live audience at the Fitzgerald Theater.
January 18, 2005 - On this Literary Friendships event, host Garrison Keillor shares the stage with Robert Bly and Donald Hall, leading figures in American letters. The two met as undergraduates at Harvard in the late 1940s, where Bly first published Hall's poetry in the school literary journal. Through letters and visits, they've corresponded for over 50 years.