Minnesota Hail to Thee! A Sesquicentennial History
by: Karal Ann Marling
Published by: Afton Press
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Minnesota is my home and I’m proud of my state for many reasons. Beyond pride, Minnesota is a great and beautiful state. And Afton Press is a homegrown publisher that provides readers with books that rival any publishing house in the world. They have done Minnesota proud by publishing Karal Ann Marling’s Minnesota Hail to Thee! It is simply stunning!
Minnesota Hail to Thee! is a celebration of Minnesota history in words/stories and pictures. The early inhabitants of Minnesota all came from somewhere else and that continues today. We’re no longer a state brimming over with Scandinavians and Germans. We now boast people from most countries in the world. And Minnesota Hail to Thee! is our story, the good and the not-so-good. But the one thing that holds Minnesota citizens together is that we believe that WE are all in this thing called life together.
From the words to Minnesota’s state song, “Hail! Minnesota,” to the people and politicians, including our own contact with women’s rights and slavery, the reader will learn things I suspect they never knew about Minnesota.
I enjoyed the story of Jane Grey Swisshelm, the editor of the “St. Cloud Visiter.” She was a strong opponent of owning slaves. The U.S. Dakota war is one I’d not heard about but it is intriguing. Having lived in Anoka, I was drawn to the postcard of downtown Anoka and the corn and potato palace. My fondness for Hubert Humphrey drew me to the photos of him, and then there is the Guthrie Theater, the Mary Tyler Moore statue and many other cultural mentions.
I could go on and on and yet I would miss many of the places and faces of Minnesota. All I can say is pick up Minnesota Hail to Thee! A copy for yourself would be nice and then several for gifts. Minnesota citizens are proud of their state and love reading about the past and present. This book has it all.
Armchair Interviews says: A must have for anyone who loves history and loves Minnesota—for yourself and as a superb gift.
From our armchair to yours...
