Stories of the creative, bold, and diverse men and women throughout Minnesota's history who have built exceptional businesses. Here are portrayals of people driven by an entrepreneurial spirit to found enterprises from 1849 to the present.

Presents intriguing profiles of some of Minnesota's most important entrepreneurs, ranging from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day-- including Charles Pillsbury, the Mayos, Frank Peavey, Leann Chinn, and Will Cargill, among others--and the companies they created. Reprint.

Dreams - sometimes they change the world, sometimes they just plain fall through. Over the course of a weekend at grandpa's farm near Luverne, Minnesota, 14-year-old Josh Lindstrom gets in touch with his dreams as they spend their time inventing, and grandpa relates the stories of some of the great Minnesota inventors. Success, however, does not come easily. So, is there anything to be learned from the inventors that preceded them, especially those of the aptly named Greatest Generation? Josh and his grandpa discover together that when it comes to dreams of inventing, failure is okay. As Minnesota inventor Earl Bakken had said, "Failure is closer to success than inaction." Some surprises are revealed along the way, and the unexpected ending soars with a heartfelt and compelling, once-in-a-lifetime, encounter. An appendix featuring profiles of the Minnesota 80 serves as a resource of the state's key inventors.

Transformations -- The sinews of trade -- Commodity chains

Reaching back more than 150 years, this collection invites students, families, alumni, faculty, and staff of the University of Minnesota to experience their history firsthand through stories of the glorious moments and awe-inspiring missteps that have made the U of M. Photos.