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 2, 1982 - Retiring University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Mulford Q. Sibley expresses his political, social, and religious views in a local speech.
July 3, 1982 - On this Midday, host Bob Potter interviews retired University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Mulford Q. Sibley, who talks about his political activism, being an outspoken anti-war activist, his pacifism, and other issues…such as how Garrison Keillor affected his red-sock wearing habit. Sibley also takes listeners' questions.
August 1, 1982 - NPR’s Connie Goldman profiles and interviews mid-western writer Meridel Le Sueur, who discusses and reads from her work.
October 1, 1982 - MPR’s Tom Meersman profiles Minnesota author Judith Guest. In an interview, Guest details the experience of writing a second novel after the huge success of her first book, Ordinary People.
November 16, 1982 - Carol Bly, a Minnesota poet, author, and columnist, discusses the importance of fairy tales (folk tales) for both children and adults. Bly also answers listener questions.
June 4, 1983 - On this Midday, a discussion about Where We Live: A Geographer's Guide to Twin Cities Neighborhoods. Authors David Lanegran and Judith Martin detail Twin Cities neighborhoods and take calls from listeners.
June 24, 1983 - MPR’s Loren Omoto interviews St. Paul school administrator Joe Nathan about his book Free to Teach: Achieving Equity and Excellence in Schools. Nathan discusses his view on teaching freedom and accountability.
July 4, 1983 - MPR’s Loren Omoto interviews Jackpine Bob Cary, editor of the Ely Echo, who shares thoughts on what fishing means in Minnesota.
July 5, 1983 - MPR’s Dan Olson profiles the local "Hurricane Alice: A Feminist Review" magazine. Olson interviews Martha Roth, executive editor of the publication, about the purpose of feminist journal.
July 30, 1983 - Gary Wynia, an author and professor of political science at University of Minnesota, discusses the country of Nicaragua, a country that is is not supported by the United States government.