This document provides summaries of and excerpts from several books published by the University of Minnesota Press that relate to Minnesota. The books cover a range of topics including memoirs set in Minnesota, histories of significant storms and events in the state, biographies of Minnesota musicians, guides to the birds of prey found in Minnesota, and books on the ecology and management of fish species like the Northern Pike. The document promotes the University of Minnesota Press and provides publication details for interested readers.

1. MINNESOTA
Memoirs
Vacationland by Sarah Stonich
From the best-selling author of These
Granite Islands, a novel of stories
intersecting at a broken-down fishing
resort in the north woods of Minnesota.
“Each chapter renders a story complete, and
the stories together weave a deeply mined
narrative of place and people, elegiac yet
life-affirming.” —Kirkus Reviews
$16.95 paper, 312 pages
We’ll Be the Last Ones to Let You Down
Memoir of a Gravedigger’s Daughter
Rachael Hanel
Growing up among cemeteries in Minnesota and
finding faith and resilience amid sorrowful loss.
$17.95 paper, 208 pages
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS
Available at better bookstores or to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

2. From Boulder in 1974
to
Maine Question 1
in 2009,
the
$22.50 paper,
272 pages
first
comprehensive
history of the LGBT
movement’s fight against
anti-gay ballot measures.
“Through interviews with movement leaders
and other sources, Amy L. Stone deftly
analyzes the tension between winning campaigns and building a sustainable movement,
between national, urban activists and local,
rural communities, as well as debates over
tactics and messaging. Gay Rights at the Ballot
Box is essential reading for anyone seeking to
understand the central, disturbing role antigay politics has played in contemporary U.S.
politics.”
—Sean Cahill, Ph.D.
Fenway Institute and New York University
University of Minnesota Press
Available at better bookstores
or to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

3. Deadliest Storm in
Great Lakes History
The
THE ULTIMATE STORY
MAN VERSUS NATURE,
OF
November’s Fury recounts the epic
freshwater hurricane of 1913 that
became the deadliest in Great Lakes
maritime history.
“After 100 years, the definitive book about the
Great Storm of 1913 has finally been written.”
—Mark Thompson, author of
Graveyard of the Lakes
“Gives voice to the hundreds who perished in
the Great Lakes storm of the century, revealing
a human tragedy of immeasurable magnitude.”
—Andrew Kantar, author of
Deadly Voyage and Black November
$24.95 hardcover, 216 pages
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS
Available at better bookstores or to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

4. Essays from
Peter Smith
on the
lesser horrors
of being human
For Peter Smith, the unavoidable mistakes and embarrassments in life—our
lesser horrors— are not without their
humor, and a healthy dose at that. In
this series of funny, honest, and moving
pieces, Smith explores a few messy
episodes from his own life and uncovers a simple reassurance we should
take to heart: we’re all on this wild ride
together.
$17.95 paper, 200 pages
also of interest:
Robert Bly in This World
A tribute to one of the most significant
American poets of the twentieth century.
$34.95 hardcover, 308 pages
University of Minnesota Press
Available at better bookstores
or to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

5. usic and
usings from
innesota
This is a musician’s tale: the story of a boy
growing up on the Iron Range, coming of age
in the seventies, and honing his craft in
Minneapolis, ground zero of American popular
music in the mid-eighties. Paul
Metsa’s
book gives us a close-up, dizzying view of the
roller-coaster ride that is the professional
musician’s life.
$24.95 hardcover, 288 pages
For Peter Smith, the unavoidable mistakes and embarrassments in life—our lesser horrors— are not without their humor. In
this series of funny, honest, and moving pieces, Smith explores a few
messy episodes from his own life and uncovers a simple reassurance
we should take to heart: we’re all on this wild ride together.
$17.95 paper, 200 pages
University of Minnesota Press
Available at better bookstores or to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

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MINNESOTA’S
Birds
of
Prey
Hawk Ridge
Minnesota’s Birds of Prey
•
Laura Erickson
Illustrated by Betsy Bowen
$24.95 hardcover, 104 pages
Bird authority Laura Erickson and beloved illustrator Betsy
Bowen have come together on this beautifully illustrated guide
to understanding the eagles, hawks, and falcons of Minnesota.
Hawk Ridge is a fun and informative album—filled with
curious facts and practical information—for birding experts
and amateurs alike.
University of Minnesota Press
Available at better bookstores or to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

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8. The Ecology, History, and
Management of the
NORTHERN PIKE
NORTHERN PIKE
Based on research in Minnesota
by leading pike specialist
Rodney B. Pierce, Northern Pike
is the most complete collection of
information to date on the species,
for everyone from scientists
and conservation biologists to
general readers and recreational
anglers.
$40.00 hardcover, 224 pages
“Pierce blends interesting
information about the ecology,
history of fishing, and the historical and current management of
northern pike. Avid fisherman
will find it a delightful reading
experience.” —Bruce Vondracek,
University of Minnesota
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS
Available at better bookstores or
to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

9. Explore
Minnesota
Minnes Nature &
ta
history
Based on research in Minnesota by leading pike
specialist Rodney B. Pierce, Northern Pike is the most
complete collection of information to date on the
species, for everyone from scientists and conservation
biologists to general readers and recreational anglers.
$40.00 hardcover, 224 pages
A precontact history of Minnesota, Guy Gibbon’s
Archaeology of Minnesota reveals the relevance
of archaeology to our understanding of the
world today.
$34.95 hardcover, 280 pages
University of Minnesota Press
Available at better bookstores or
to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu

10. AN EPIC
SCANDINAVIAN
CRIME
AMERICAN NOVEL
Winner of the Riverton Prize for best Norwegian crime novel
of the year—The Land of Dreams is the first novel in the
internationally best-selling Minnesota Trilogy.
“Vidar Sundstøl has written an epic Scandinavian-American
crime novel, with a deep and dark sense of mystery both in its
memorable characters and original setting.” —Johan Theorin
Books for
Young Readers
From Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire ...
Ola is the classic that sparked the illustrious careers of
the two Caldecott-honored authors and illustrators.
Long out of print, Children of the Northlights was inspired
by a remarkable journey the authors took to northern
Europe and their time spent living among the Sami.
From Erik Christian Haugaard, with
Illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon ...
Hakon of Rogen’s Saga is a remarkable novel that
perfectly catches the mood of a harsh but heroic people.
A Slave’s Tale is the dynamic sequel to Hakon of Rogen’s
Saga.
“The past comes vividly alive
in this vigorous and romantic saga of
the Viking era.”
—Commonweal, May 1965
UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA PRESS
Available at better bookstores
or to order call 800-621-2736
www.upress.umn.edu