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Get to know Minnesota like never before with this collection of facts and stories that explore the state’s history and culture, including funny, weird, and wild moments.
If you think you know Minnesota, think again! Of course, there are the 10,000+ lakes, the Twin Cities, and the legendary winters—but did you know that winter surfing—yes, surfing—is a pastime for a hardy few on Lake Superior? How about that Minnesotans have won 2 of the 15 Nobel Prizes for Literature awarded to Americans? Have you heard about the giant troll statues found in the woods near Detroit Lakes? Curious & Fascinating Facts: Minnesota is your guide to everything you ever wanted to know about the North Star State and plenty of information that you never knew you needed to know!
Written by Minnesota author Brett Ortler and packed with hundreds of facts—including the weird, wild, and wonderfully unexpected—this book is perfect for the campfire, road trips, family games, trivia night, or quiet reading time. It goes beyond a history lesson—it’s a journey through Minnesota’s arts, culture, natural wonders, and so much more.
Test your knowledge with topics like these:
- Rundown of our wild winter weather, including the infamous 1991 Halloween Blizzard
- Wild encounters with wolves, moose—and some impressive state-record fish
- Paul Bunyan legends and other larger-than-life stories
- Famous Minnesotans, from directors and actors to Nobel Prize-winning writers
Whether you’re a proud resident or a visitor who loves quirky facts, prepare to explore Minnesota—one fascinating fact at a time!
Brett Ortler is a writer, a naturalist, and an editor. As the Aquisitions Editor at Adventure Publications, he’s worked on more than 300 titles pertaining to nature and the natural world. He is the author of several popular introductions to the natural world, including Backyard Science Discovery Workbook: Midwest, Animal Tracks Activity Book, Beginner’s Guide to Shipwatching on the Great Lakes, and several others. His work appears widely, including in The Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, Slate, Salon, Minnesota Reformer, and many other outlets. He lives in Minnesota with his family.
Introduction
Minnesota (and Minnesotans) at a Glance
Paul Bunyan, Hot Dish and Other Minnesota Standards
Geology and Climate
Weather, Winter, and Natural Disasters
Wildlife
About Minnesota’s 10,000 Lakes
Lake Superior
A Sampling of Minnesota Shipwrecks
Meteorites, Mine Disasters, Pandemics, and More
Crime
Minnesota Books, Movies, and Culture
Quirky Minnesota
A Brief Look at Sports
Works Cited
Photo Credits
About the Author