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.
September 14, 2007 - The Minnesota Department of Tourism reports that birch and aspen trees in the northeastern part of the state are starting to show their fall colors. The north shore is known as a particularly pretty part of Minnesota this time of year, but commentator Peter Smith says for even better scenery, you need to cross the state line.
September 21, 2007 -
September 24, 2007 - If you've ever walked along the North Shore of Lake Superior, you might have wondered how the rugged scenery came to be. A geologist and a naturalist have teamed up to write a guidebook for hikers in the eight state parks along the North Shore. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill visited Gooseberry Falls State Park with one of the book's authors.
October 1, 2007 -
October 2, 2007 - Monologues by Kevin Kling about his new book "The Dog Says How", and performance by Brass Messenger
October 2, 2007 - Discusses preservation issues in Minnesota and beyond, and what's in store for the 2007 National Preservation Conference being held in the Twin Cities. Richard Moe is a former chief of staff to Vice President Walter Mondale and a member of the Carter White House senior staff. Guest: Richard Moe: Former chief of staff to Vice President Walter Mondale and a member of the Carter White House senior staff, Moe has headed the National Trust for Historic Preservation since January 1993.
October 3, 2007 - Elaine Pagels won a National Book Award for "The Gnostic Gospels," an analysis of early Christian manuscripts that were unearthed in Egypt. She is professor of religion at Princeton University, and speaks at the Westminster Town Hall Forum. Her New York Times bestseller, "Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas" (2003), focuses on claims to ultimate truth.
October 12, 2007 - Twenty-years ago this month, Kirby Puckett led the Minnesota Twins to their first World Series victory. The combination of his dynamic prowess on the ballfield and charismatic personality made Puckett the most beloved and admired sports hero in Minnesota history. In the few years before his death, however, Puckett fell from grace after shocking incidents of his personal life became public. A new play called "Kirby" opening Saturday at the History Theatre in St. Paul explores the Hall-of-Famer's life as an adored sports icon struggling with off-the-field troubles.
October 16, 2007 - Twin Cities film fans have a unique opportunity on tap tonight. For one night only, a group of local actors will present a staged reading of "Flag Day." It's a screenplay based on Minneapolis writer Jennifer Vogel's award-winning memoir "Flim Flam Man." The book describes Vogel's relationship with her father John, a felon on the run, accused of counterfeiting 20-million dollars. Vogel describes how she came to see deep flaws in the man she once idolized. Accomplished British screenwriter Jez Butterworth wrote the screenplay. Butterworth had to cancel his travels here because of work on another script. However the film's producer Bill Horberg will be at the reading. Horberg made "Cold Mountain" and "The Talented Mr Ripley."
October 23, 2007 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews Wabasha native Nelson Peery, who describes growing up Black in Minneosta, his path to the Minnesota Communist Party, and his book "Black Radical."