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.
August 10, 2000 - A speech by Pulitzer Prize -winning author and historian Garry Wills. He spoke about how many Americans don't trust government and how we can understand this distrust through the study of history and historical myths. He spoke at the Midwestern Legislative Conference yesterday.
August 21, 2000 - MPR’s Mike Edgerly talks with Native American writer James Welch, author of “The Heartsong of Charging Elk.” Welch discusses his book, culture, and Native American history. Welch also answers listener questions. Welch is well known for his previous works, including his book “Killing Custer.”
August 22, 2000 - On his 80th birthday, a rebroadcast of the popular Pen Pals Lecture by science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. He's best known for The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451 and he is working on several new books.
August 28, 2000 - Twin Cities-based Coffeehouse House Press just released a new book of poetry by Tenaya Darlington. It was chosen for the prestigious National Poetry Series. Minneapolis freelance writer Josie Rawson has this review of "Madame Deluxe".
September 6, 2000 - Former Minnesota Governor Elmer Andersen has written a memoir about his life in public service called A Man's Reach. Governor Andersen spoke about the book and his life with Gary Eichten. He was joined by Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune reporter and editor of A Man's Reach.
September 7, 2000 - Minnesota is the birthplace of the Mississippi, the proverbial father of all rivers. So it's not surprising that river recreation figures prominently in the lives of many state residents. But Thomas Waters wants us to know more about rivers and streams than just the best place to fish or launch a boat. In his new book "Wildstream: A Natural History of the Free Flowing River," the professor emeritus of stream ecology shares his knowledge of ox bows and eddys in a way most readers without a scientific background can comprehend. I met up with Waters this week at Rice Creek in Roseville, where he used to take his university students on field trips.
September 12, 2000 - Governor Ventura made what he said was a welcome stop home in the Twin Cities Monday as part of his nationwide book tour. He signed copies of his newest book, "Do I Stand Alone?," for approximately an hour and a half and greeted a long line of admirers. Ventura says his latest book is about his political philosophy, while his first book, "Aint Got Time to Bleed," was more autobiographical. Five days into his book tour, the governor says he's been well received around the country. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 12, 2000 - In Bemidji author Kevin McColley's new novel "The Other Side", a civil war era farm boy flees after killing a local bully in a fight . After drifting for a while, he ends up in Missouri with Quantrill's Raiders, a rag-tag guerilla army involved in brutal attacks against northern civilians. McColley says he'd wanted to write a Civil War novel for a long tine, but only felt he'd found a subject that hadn't been done to death when he ran across accounts of the raiders. His novel, which has now been nominated for a National Book Award, examines how ordinary people can do horrible things. He told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he actually finished the book four years ago, but it has taken that long for him to get over the experience of dealing with the subject matter. Kevin McColley's novel "The Other Side" is published by Simon and Schuster. He will read from his book at St Olaf College in Northfield October 11th.
September 12, 2000 - In Bemidji author Kevin McColley's new novel "The Other Side", a Civil War era farm boy flees after killing a local bully in a fight . After drifting for a while, he ends up in Missouri with Quantrill's Raiders, a rag-tag guerilla army involved in brutal attacks against northern civilians. McColley says he'd wanted to write a Civil War novel for a long tine, but only felt he'd found a subject that hadn't been done to death when he ran across accounts of the raiders. His novel, which has now been nominated for a National Book Award, examines how ordinary people can do horrible things.
September 21, 2000 - A Westminster Town Hall Forum broadcast with Dr. Christine Cassel, chairman of the Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development at Mount Sinai Medical Center and author of a number of books including A Practical Guide to Aging and Ethical Dimensions in the Health Profession. She talks about successful aging - how to grow old and live a full, productive life.