It Happened in Minnesota (It Happened In Series) by Darrell Ehrlick

It Happened In...

by Darrell Ehrlick

A fascinating collection of thirty compelling stories about events that shaped the North Star State, It Happened in Minnesota describes everything from harrowing shootouts with Sioux Indians to the mass execution of thirty-eight men, a bank robbery by Jesse James to the opening of the Mall of America. In an easy-to-read style that is entertaining as well as informative, It Happened in Minnesota will interest people of all ages.

Paperback

First published April 15, 2008

Reviews

[Noah Klick · Rating 2 out of 5]

On to Minnesota! This one was okay. Not as boring as Ohio. Haha. But not as exciting as Wisconsin, which checks out if you've been to both. There were some cool stories along the way, mostly about it being so dang cold, but also Pipestone is a place I had never heard of before. A lot of Native American history and 10,000 lakes! At the time of this book there were actually 11,842, but I think this number is always up for debate on what you consider is or is not a lake. But a few shout-outs: the first pop up toaster, the Mayo clinic (of course), Betty Crocker!, the homer hanky (shout out baseball), so many blizzards, and surprisingly a lot of important politics!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often I really like picking up a nonfiction book and giving it a good once-over. This one was donated to our school's library for Minnesota History studies. It certainly fit the bill. It covers plenty of Minnesota going's on, balancing the hard news and tough tales with fun items too. I loved the nostalgia feeling, having lived through many of the items near the end of the book - homer hankies, etc.

[Will · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh.

[Teddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book. It was full of lots of information I didn't know. Don't like how the author isn't living in Minnesota though.

[Spruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little tidbits about Minnesota, some I knew, others not.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick and easy read. I like how the chapters are laid out, with the information very easy to understand. A couple of times, certain passages made me laugh. I quote from the water skiing chapter " He first attempted to start skiing off a ramp. This proved to be a hum rock-skipping demonstration. Ralph jumped off the boards, skidded along the surface of the water and plunged into the lake." It is passages like that, were a person can envision this happening. Of course, the author also talks about Jesse Ventura becoming Governor, the birth of the Homer Hankies for the Twins World Series games and death of Paul Wellstone. The author does talk about the 1997 flood and how it effected Grand Forks, but skips over how it also effected Moorhead, where I am from and currently still live. Granted, Moorhead wasn't destroyed like Grand Forks, but I remember how close it came and worrying about the dikes holding.

I will be passing this book a long to people who want insight into Minnesota history.

[Koren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy read. As it got to the years after 1940 I remember most of the events so it was more a walk down memory lane. Jessie Ventura, Kirby Puckett, Paul Wellstone. Not much here that I didnt already know. Each chapter is 2 or 3 pages.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

short stories re: Minnesota happenings.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesing little tidbits about Minnesota, some I knew, others not. Easy read, trivia in back of book.

[Kierstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read better, but had some great stories I haven't heard yet.

[Bobbi Aakhus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching short nonfiction pieces

[Lona Schuett]

About history of minnesota. Very good such as pipestone named after getting stone to make pipes there.

[Ness · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Knew quite a bit in the book, but learned a lot, too.