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.
December 8, 2009 - With a major blizzard bearing down on us, it's time for motorists across the state to pause and review their cold weather driving techniques. Essayist Peter Smith designed this refresher course.
December 9, 2009 - Garrison Keillor speaks at the Virginia Street Swedenborgian Church in St. Paul about life, literature, and his new book, "A Christmas Blizzard." Keillor is the host of the public radio program "A Prairie Home Companion" and the author of more than a dozen books.
December 14, 2009 - Minnesotans know it's not nice to call someone "Minnesota nice..." It's a synonym for phoniness and passive aggression. And Minnesota playwright Syl Jones says he's uncovered the roots of Minnesota nice. He traces it all back to the Scandinavian immigrants who settled here more than a century ago. Jones argues his discovery goes a long way toward explaining all kinds of strange Minnesota phenomena.
December 15, 2009 - Santa Claus is making his list and checking it twice. But essayist Peter Smith says when he was growing up, it didn't matter if he was naughty or nice. Smith came from a huge family, and even Santa had to be practical.
December 16, 2009 -
December 22, 2009 - Say what you will about the frivolity of the holiday buying season, Minneapolis poet Todd Boss has discovered a new reason to indulge in mechanical marble-tumble toys.
December 22, 2009 - Essayist Peter Smith shares a story about one of his favorite Christmas memories… about a man named Mr. Dinklenberg.
January 1, 2010 - Playwright and humorist Kevin Kling talks about his new book, "Holiday Inn," which he calls "a romp through a year of holidays." Kling spoke at the Minneapolis Central Library as part of the library's Talk of the Stacks program.
January 5, 2010 - January's arrival has some of us thinking about New Year's resolutions.... or cursing the cold. But it has essayist Peter Smith contemplating his own mortality. Mortality, and an old sofa.
January 12, 2010 - The battle is on for the smartest smartphone. Apple's iPhone and Google's new "Nexus One" are competing for the hearts and dollars of this year's phone buyers. But with so many phones out there, commentator Peter Smith is starting to notice some side effects.