To most people, John Lennon was a legend, an artistic master who was larger than life. But his real story is that of a man--not the ex-Beatle, not the activist, not the hero. Here is a warm, honest portrait drawn by a close friend, the story of a gifted man struggling with himself, his family, and his art on the eve of his long-awaited comeback. Martin's.

No planning required! Need a day away to relax, refresh, renew? Just get in your car and go! This first edition of Day Trips from the Twin Cities is your guide to hundreds of exciting things to do, see, and discover in your own backyard. With full trip-planning information and tips on where to eat, shop, and stop along the way, you can make the most of your time off and rediscover the simple pleasures of a day trip. Explore places you never knew existed, many free of charge, and most within a two-hour drive of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Head north any time of the year to Brainerd, where its bounty of lakes offers waterskiing and wakeboarding in the summer, and snowmobiling and ice fishing in the winter. Follow Wisconsin’s Great River Road and soak up the beautiful scenery and historic villages tucked along the landscape. Get a taste of Germany in New Ulm, a city that wears its heritage proudly through its ornate buildings, historic brewery, and fun festivals.

52 day trips in North Dakota.

Tired of the same old tourist traps? Whether you’re a visitor or a local looking for something different, let The Dakotas Off the Beaten Path show you a side of North and South Dakota you never knew existed. See the house Pa built during the annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in De Smet, South Dakota. Excavate mammoth bones in the Black Hills or spelunk in some of the world’s largest caves. Dance to Norwegian fiddles at North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, or lose yourself in the brilliant splendor of a powwow. So if you’ve “been there, done that” one too many times, get off the main road and venture Off the Beaten Path.

Robert Hopkins was a man caught between two worlds. As a member of the Dakota Nation, he was unfairly imprisoned, accused of taking up arms against U.S. soldiers when war broke out with the Dakota in 1862. However, as a Christian convert who was also a preacher, Hopkins’s allegiance was often questioned by many of his fellow Dakota as well. Without a doubt, being a convert—and a favorite of the missionaries—had its privileges. Hopkins learned to read and write in an anglicized form of Dakota, and when facing legal allegations, he and several high-ranking missionaries wrote impassioned letters in his defense. Ultimately, he was among the 300-some Dakota spared from hanging by President Lincoln, imprisoned instead at Camp Kearney in Davenport, Iowa, for several years. His wife, Sarah, and their children, meanwhile, were forced onto the barren Crow Creek reservation in Dakota Territory with the rest of the Dakota women, children, and elderly. In both places, the Dakota were treated as novelties, displayed for curious residents like zoo animals. Historian Linda Clemmons examines the surviving letters from Robert and Sarah; other Dakota language sources; and letters from missionaries, newspaper accounts, and federal documents. She blends both the personal and the historical to complicate our understanding of the development of the Midwest, while also serving as a testament to the resilience of the Dakota and other indigenous peoples who have lived in this region from time immemorial.

Your Travel Destination. Your Home. Your Home-To-Be. South Dakota’s Black Hills & Badlands Ghost towns and modern towns. Trendy eateries and rustic bars. Cowboys and artists. Rodeos, skiing, hiking, and biking. Breathtaking landscapes in a place of welcoming smiles. • A personal, practical perspective for travelers and residents alike • Comprehensive listings of attractions, restaurants, and accommodations • How to live & thrive in the area—from recreation to relocation • Countless details on shopping, arts & entertainment, and children’s activities