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.
October 20, 1992 - American diplomat L. Bruce Laingen talks about his book, "Yellow Ribbon: The Secret Journal of Bruce Laingen. The Minnesotan was the most senior American official held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis.
October 21, 1992 - Midmorning’s Cathy Wurzer interviews writer Paul Gruchow and photographer Gerald Brimacombe about their book collaboration, Travels in Canoe Country.
October 30, 1992 - On this segment of Voices from the Heartland, Minnesota writer Laurie Allmann reads an essay on the peat bogs of the North, titled Sand Lake Peatland, October.
October 30, 1992 - Master storyteller Duke Addicks tells the ‘real’ ghost story of Rex, a long dead dog.
November 6, 1992 - On this segment of Voices from the Heartland, Duluth writer Barton Sutter reads an essay on autumn and death.
November 6, 1992 - MPR’s Mike Edgerly interviews veteran writers Tim O'Brien and Donna Marie from The Loft Literary Center, where they will hold a discussion on the experience and aftermath of Vietnam veterans.
November 9, 1992 - MPR’s Donna Nicholson profiles veterans and their loved ones who find an outlet and a form of therapy in the act of writing about the Vietnam and Korean War experience.
November 19, 1992 - A Midmorning interview with Ted Hall, author of Growing with the Grass. The memoir is based on the author's family life in Old Frontenac, Minnesota, during the 1930s and highlights his childhood, nature, and rural experiences.
November 23, 1992 - An All Things Considered interview with Saturday Night Live star Al Franken about I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!, his self-Help spoof book. The comedian also comments on finding satire in political figures.
November 25, 1992 - Misti Snow, kids columnist at Star Tribune, shares insights (some disturbing) in putting together her book, Take Time to Play Checkers. The work is an anthology of honest, humorous, and poignant observations from children on topics like parents, friends, worries, and growing up.