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.
June 25, 1998 - Speeches from the events marking the 50th anniversary of Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey's civil rights speech to the Democratic National Convention. Speakers are NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, and writer Richard Rodriguez. You'll also hear Humphrey's speech to the convention.
June 30, 1998 - Ray Suarez, Host of NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”, speaking at a Minnesota Journalism Center forum on the craft of interviewing.
July 3, 1998 - It's said that some of the best fishing is found between the covers of a book. Angling literature is almost as old as the sport itself. Writer Jerry Dennis' new book, "The River Home: An Angler's Explorations", links fishing to home and our relationship with nature.
July 9, 1998 - In his new book, Bemidji novelist Kevin McColley begins to tell the story of an unsolved murder in a small Minnesota town but it becomes a story on the indignities of old age. "Praying to a Laughing God", which has been nominated for a national book award, is a bit of a change for McColley. His first four novels were aimed at young people, but his new book deals with the problems of a much older generation.
July 10, 1998 - On this Midday program, nationally known political commentator Carl Rowan addresses the American Association of Retired Persons. Rowan speaks on his early days as a writer for the Minneapolis Tribune and reflects on the battle over affirmative action in America.
July 17, 1998 - MPR’s Leif Enger takes a look at the BWCA twenty years after legislation to protect it, and the divide in viewpoints on the land that have existed throughout the 20th century. Segment includes various interviews and commentary.
July 17, 1998 - A reading of an excerpt from Sigurd Olson’s “Wilderness Days.”
July 21, 1998 - The "Montreal Just for Laughs Festival" which begins today, is called the "Cannes of Comedy" by some. So it's no wonder up-and-coming comedians would do just about anything to get some stage time, especially since talent scouts will be on the prowl. Minneapolis comic Colleen Kruse is one of the lucky few who scored an invite. She'll perform in the "spoken word" category. Kruse, who is also a storyteller, says her on-stage style is very laid back.
July 23, 1998 - Dinesh D'Souza, research scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and author, speaking at the Center of the American Experiment. D'Souza talked about Ronald Reagan and his legacy. D'Souza's new book is titled “Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader.”
July 24, 1998 - One of the leading figures in the life of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis has died. Former Artistic Director Garland Wright died of cancer Wednesday night in New York City. He was 52. Wright is being remembered as an artistic visionary who also contributed significantly to the Theater's financial stability.