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 29, 1974 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Mulford Q. Sibley, University of Minnesota political science professor, about President Nixon and impeachment. Sibley states Vietnam has caused a culture of deception in American politics, and that impeachment of President Nixon should include Vietnam war crimes as well.
May 7, 1974 - During a peace rally at the University of Minnesota in May, 1974, Mulford Q. Sibley speaks about the anti-war movement.
June 7, 1974 - On this program of Firing Line, William F. Buckley interviews Eugene McCarthy on how the post-Watergate presidency should look, and how the office might be revised so as to bring it back within republican discipline.
July 3, 1974 - Eugene McCarthy speaks on Richard Nixon, Watergate, and politics. Following speech is a Q&A with audience.
July 11, 1974 - MPR’s Connie Goldman has a conversation with Ted Hall about small town weekly, “The Rainy Lake Chronicle.” Hall reflects on his career in journalism, writing, and publishing.
July 12, 1974 - Dr. Margaret and Norman Silberberg, authors of the book “Who Speaks For The Child,” provide commentary on overemphasis on reading in school curriculum and resultant problems.
July 15, 1974 - An interview with Minneapolis Public Schools' Poet-in-Residence Stanley Kiesel about insipiring children and introducing them to poetry.
July 15, 1974 - MPR’s Tom Stewart explores Sauk Centre as it celebrates Sinclair Lewis Days, in honor of the hometown author’s contributions to American literature and his Nobel Prize for Literature.
August 4, 1974 - MPR’s Steve Monroe reports on Poetry Out Loud caravan in Minnesota. Caroline Vogel and poets from around the state speak to the strength of the poetry communities in Minnesota.
August 4, 1974 - On this Forum program, Millard Gieske speaks on “Third Party Politics” in Minnesota, and explains what causes third parties and why they die.