Patrick Hicks grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota, and is an Irish American novelist, poet, and essayist. After living in Europe for many years, he now lives in the Midwest where he is the Writer-in-Residence at Augustana University as well as a faculty member in the MFA program at the University of Nevada Reno at Lake Tahoe. He is the author of over ten books, including The Commandant of Lubizec and Across the Lake.

• From the Land of Sky-Blue WatersStillwaterNorth ShoreSaint John'sThe Iron RangeSouthwestMankatoUp NorthSoutheastThe Great Minnesota Get-TogetherStar of the NorthNotesSelected BibliographyAcknowledgments

"Greater Minnesota had me spellbound about my own home state. I had thought I knew all there was to know. How wrong I was. Patrick Hicks delivers to us a travel book, a compendium of fascinating facts, a mini-memoir, a love letter, a reportorial tour de force, and an ode to the Land of Sky-Blue Waters. All of it wonderfully written, all of it vividly painted in words. What a fine, fine book." - Tim O'Brien, author of The Things They Carried"In Greater Minnesota, Patrick Hicks invites the reader to join him on an enjoyable 6500-mile road trip to various corners of the North Star State. In these fascinating essays, Hicks seamlessly blends history, local legends and lore, interviews, and his own personal insights into a delectable literary hotdish. Whether you're a lifetime Minnesotan or an outsider peering in, you'll find these essays both enlightening and entertaining. Meditative moments on Lake Superior, bustling lumber towns, the sound of a slice of SPAM hitting a frying pan, life-sized state fair princesses sculpted in butter - they're all here. So, hop into the passenger's seat with Patrick at the wheel. You're guaranteed to have a great ride." - Bill Meissner, author of The Wonders of the Little World"Whether one is a first-time visitor to Minnesota or a long-time resident, this insightful, humorous, and informative volume of one man's journey through Minnesota history and experiences is indispensable. There's a treasure on every page." - J. Ryan Stradal, author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest"A warmhearted and conversational ode to the Land of Sky-Blue Waters. Those of us who live here will recognize ourselves as easily as we do the places the author has brought to crackling life. Those of us who don't are likely to be inspired to pay a visit. Equal parts travelogue, history, and personal reflection, here's a book with something for everyone. Reading these pages felt like a homecoming. And an homage." - Peter Geye, author of A Lesser Light

Patrick Hicks grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota, and is an Irish American novelist, poet, and essayist. After living in Europe for many years, he now lives in the Midwest where he is the Writer-in-Residence at Augustana University as well as a faculty member in the MFA program at the University of Nevada Reno at Lake Tahoe. He is the author of over ten books, including The Commandant of Lubizec and Across the Lake.

• From the Land of Sky-Blue WatersStillwaterNorth ShoreSaint John'sThe Iron RangeSouthwestMankatoUp NorthSoutheastThe Great Minnesota Get-TogetherStar of the NorthNotesSelected BibliographyAcknowledgments

"Greater Minnesota had me spellbound about my own home state. I had thought I knew all there was to know. How wrong I was. Patrick Hicks delivers to us a travel book, a compendium of fascinating facts, a mini-memoir, a love letter, a reportorial tour de force, and an ode to the Land of Sky-Blue Waters. All of it wonderfully written, all of it vividly painted in words. What a fine, fine book." - Tim O'Brien, author of The Things They Carried"In Greater Minnesota, Patrick Hicks invites the reader to join him on an enjoyable 6500-mile road trip to various corners of the North Star State. In these fascinating essays, Hicks seamlessly blends history, local legends and lore, interviews, and his own personal insights into a delectable literary hotdish. Whether you're a lifetime Minnesotan or an outsider peering in, you'll find these essays both enlightening and entertaining. Meditative moments on Lake Superior, bustling lumber towns, the sound of a slice of SPAM hitting a frying pan, life-sized state fair princesses sculpted in butter - they're all here. So, hop into the passenger's seat with Patrick at the wheel. You're guaranteed to have a great ride." - Bill Meissner, author of The Wonders of the Little World"Whether one is a first-time visitor to Minnesota or a long-time resident, this insightful, humorous, and informative volume of one man's journey through Minnesota history and experiences is indispensable. There's a treasure on every page." - J. Ryan Stradal, author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest"A warmhearted and conversational ode to the Land of Sky-Blue Waters. Those of us who live here will recognize ourselves as easily as we do the places the author has brought to crackling life. Those of us who don't are likely to be inspired to pay a visit. Equal parts travelogue, history, and personal reflection, here's a book with something for everyone. Reading these pages felt like a homecoming. And an homage." - Peter Geye, author of A Lesser Light

Patrick Hicks grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota, and is an Irish American novelist, poet, and essayist. After living in Europe for many years, he now lives in the Midwest where he is the Writer-in-Residence at Augustana University as well as a faculty member in the MFA program at the University of Nevada Reno at Lake Tahoe. He is the author of over ten books, including The Commandant of Lubizec and Across the Lake.

• From the Land of Sky-Blue WatersStillwaterNorth ShoreSaint John'sThe Iron RangeSouthwestMankatoUp NorthSoutheastThe Great Minnesota Get-TogetherStar of the NorthNotesSelected BibliographyAcknowledgments

"Greater Minnesota had me spellbound about my own home state. I had thought I knew all there was to know. How wrong I was. Patrick Hicks delivers to us a travel book, a compendium of fascinating facts, a mini-memoir, a love letter, a reportorial tour de force, and an ode to the Land of Sky-Blue Waters. All of it wonderfully written, all of it vividly painted in words. What a fine, fine book." - Tim O'Brien, author of The Things They Carried"In Greater Minnesota, Patrick Hicks invites the reader to join him on an enjoyable 6500-mile road trip to various corners of the North Star State. In these fascinating essays, Hicks seamlessly blends history, local legends and lore, interviews, and his own personal insights into a delectable literary hotdish. Whether you're a lifetime Minnesotan or an outsider peering in, you'll find these essays both enlightening and entertaining. Meditative moments on Lake Superior, bustling lumber towns, the sound of a slice of SPAM hitting a frying pan, life-sized state fair princesses sculpted in butter - they're all here. So, hop into the passenger's seat with Patrick at the wheel. You're guaranteed to have a great ride." - Bill Meissner, author of The Wonders of the Little World"Whether one is a first-time visitor to Minnesota or a long-time resident, this insightful, humorous, and informative volume of one man's journey through Minnesota history and experiences is indispensable. There's a treasure on every page." - J. Ryan Stradal, author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest"A warmhearted and conversational ode to the Land of Sky-Blue Waters. Those of us who live here will recognize ourselves as easily as we do the places the author has brought to crackling life. Those of us who don't are likely to be inspired to pay a visit. Equal parts travelogue, history, and personal reflection, here's a book with something for everyone. Reading these pages felt like a homecoming. And an homage." - Peter Geye, author of A Lesser Light