Repeatedly 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. This curation presents broadcasts over the decades of writer’s voices in form of speech, interview, and discussion.
October 13, 1994 - Midday presents Dr. Cornell West, a professor of religion and director of Afro-American Studies Department at Princeton, speaking at the Westminster Town Hall Forum. West’s speech is entitled "The Politics of Race in America."
November 14, 1994 - A Midmorning interview with journalist and writer Martin Hintz about his book, Country Roads of Minnesota Roads: A Guide Book from Country Roads Press.
November 16, 1994 - Midmorning’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Philip Martin, author of Farmhouse Fiddlers: Music & Dance Traditions in the Rural Midwest. Martin details the history and culture of these country musicians.
November 23, 1994 - MPR’s Mike Edgerly talks with American short story writer and memoirist Tobias Wolff about In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War. The book chronicles Wolff‘s service as an Army officer and adviser in the Vietnam War.
December 9, 1994 - On this installment of Voices from the Heartland, English translator and author Kevin Crossley-Holland reads an essay about baths and showers…he loves baths.
February 3, 1995 - On this segment of First Friday, MPR’s Beth Friend interviews American poet Christopher Merrill, who shares his frustration on the lack of concern in arts community of the Bosnian War tragedy. Segment also includes Merrill reading Bosnian poetry.
May 10, 1995 - Charles Murray, co-author of The Bell Curve, and Dr. Alvin Poussaint, author and psychiatrist, speaking at Carleton College in Northfield. The topics of speeches were on class structure, and the issues of race in the United States.
January 27, 1996 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews author Carol Shields about her award-winning works, research, and the business of writing.
February 22, 1996 - Midday presents a live broadcast of the Westminster Town Hall Forum, featuring Washington Post political writer E. J. Dionne. His speech is on why Americans hate politics.
March 7, 1996 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews novelist David Foster Wallace about his book Infinite Jest. Wallace shares his thoughts on media consumption and drug industry.