Minnesota (on the Road Histories): On-The-Road Histories

Minnesota is many landscapes, but none of them fully define her. And where is it, exactly? Easterners see it as part of the West, Westerners as part of the East. Minnesotans often split the difference and call their home the Upper Midwest. Everyone, save Canadians, agrees that it is in the North. To be sure, winter is both a trial and a point of perverse pride for natives. Minnesotans also take a more universally understood pride in their state’s quality of life; with its progressive political traditions, Minnesota always ranks high in national rankings that consider the environment, economic well-being, thriving arts communities, health, and education. In Minnesota, John Radzilowski explores the history of the peoples–native Americans, Norwegian, Swedish, French Canadian, German, Irish, Finnish, Polish, and more who have made the state what it is today. He explores the rich and distinct cultural histories of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as outstate Minnesota, the largely rural land beyond the sprawling metro area.