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.
April 23, 1992 - Local writer Joe Follansbee reviews the book Kaisha, the Japanese Corporation. The book is written by James Abegglen and George Stalk, Jr. and looks at the success of Japanese business in the world market.
April 24, 1992 - On this segment of Voices from the Heartland, Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth. It details the iconic structure that borders between Superior Bay and Lake Superior.
April 24, 1992 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder interviews Minnesota historian Rhoda Gilman and children's librarian Kathleen Baxter about Maud Hart Lovelace, American writer best known for the Betsy-Tacy series.
April 25, 1992 - MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Minnesota travel writer John Shepard about places to vacation in Minnesota and takes calls from listeners.
April 25, 1992 - MPR’s Kitty Eisele reports on the collaboration between American poet William Stafford and Minnesota artist and author Debra Frasier for the book, The Animal That Drank Up Sound.
May 1, 1992 - MPR’s Marlana Benzie-Lourey talks with St. Cloud poet Bill Meissner about the characters within his poetry. Meissner also reads numerous poems, including from his book Hitting into the Wind.
May 1, 1992 - Worldview’s Mike Maus talks with Helen Kivnick, professor of Social Work at the University of Minnesota, about African musical roots. Segment includes Kivnick breaking down singing clips and providing context.
May 12, 1992 - MPR’s Kim Hodgson interviews St. Paul mystery writer Kate Green about how writing and genres. Hodgson also talks about her 1992 book, Shooting Star.
May 15, 1992 - On this Voices from the Heartland episode, MPR’s Marlana Benzie-Lourey talks with central Minnesota poet Jerry Hansen about his time serving during the Vietnam War and his poetry about that experience. Hansen also reads numerous poems.
May 22, 1992 - On this Voices from the Heartland segment, Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on Lake Superior, entitled God.