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How It All Began

My novel, Suomalaiset: People of the Marsh was researched and written between 2002 and 2004 as an attempt to highlight, explain, and fictionalize the mystery of Finnish immigrant Olli Kinkkonen’s disappearance.  The question I’m often asked, as a non-Finn writing about Finnish … Continue reading

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Two Reads …

The Torqued Man by Peter Mann (2022. Harper. ISBN 978-0063072107) Here we go. I was privileged to be asked to join one of Minnesota’s longest running male only book clubs, the Greater Mesabi Men’s Book Club (GMMBC), for their annual summer … Continue reading

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A Filmmaker’s Journey: Ava Karvonen

                                             MM: Could you tell the readers of FAR a bit about your Finnish heritage? AK:  My dad’s family … Continue reading

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Should Have Read It Before the Interview!

The title of this review? Recently, I had the great fortune to do an online interview with Grammy Award winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee guitarist (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna, and a lengthy solo career) Jorma Kaukonen for … Continue reading

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Behind the Music …

Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, guitarist supreme, Jorma Kaukonen, for the August edition of the Finnish American Reporter. Here’s the interview. Mark Munger: Kiitos, Jorma, for agreeing to do … Continue reading

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Required Reading

Yes, I am a retired judge. Yes, from time to time in my role hearing matters in Minnesota District Court, constitutional issues arose that required me to research and apply principles of law handed down to us by the Founders … Continue reading

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This Lady Doesn’t Sing the Blues!

INTERVIEW WITH SARA PAJUNEN Mark:  I’d like to start by asking a bit about your connection to Finnish heritage. Where were you born and where did you grow up? What are your ancestral links to Finnishness? Sara: My grandfather was … Continue reading

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A Minnesota Pheasant Hunt

It started with a text. Patrick “Poncho” Scott texted me sometime after out annual Whiteface Fishing Opener, an event the Munger and Scott families have shared for more than fifty years. The gist of the message was “We should do … Continue reading

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Tom, Me, Two Dogs, Two Friends, and an Epic Walkabout

The title of this essay references my infatuation with the David Gutterson novel, East of the Mountains, and actor Tom Skeritt’s portrayal of Gutterson’s protagonist in the film version of the story. In essence, Ben Givens (Skeritt’s character) finds out … Continue reading

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Can’t Quarrel with Kirkus

Kirkus provided me with a fine review of the new book. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mark-munger/duck-and-cover-4/ Peace Mark

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