Dale A Swanson

BIO -- Dale A. Swanson

Contact www.dale-swanson.com to schedule a personal appearance and program explaining the cause of the US-Dakota War of 1862 and how it resonates with us today. Dale's public speaking is sought by public and private schools, history centers, libraries, and any venue with an interest in the Indian wars of the 1800s. His six years of research uncovered many facts not found in today's history books and is used to expand U.S. history being taught in sixth-grade social studies classes.

Dale Swanson, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on October 17, 1942, grew up in Mound, MN, and now makes his home in Prior Lake, MN. Married since 1965, he has two children and four granddaughters.

He retired from Qwest Communications in 2008. Dale has taken writing classes at the University of Michigan and has been a member of The Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis, since 2003. North Star Press of St. Cloud released his historical fiction novel about the U.S.– Dakota War of 1862, "THE THIRTY-NINTH MAN," in June 2013. It was listed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune reader survey for the best book read in 2013. It tells the story of what led to the largest mass execution in U.S. history. The North Star Press issue is out of print, but the book is now offered by Rainy River Press under ISBN 9780986326714.

The sequel, TEARS OF SORROW will be released June 20, 2018. The story covers the Sioux Wars from the hangings in 1862 through the catastrophic massacre at Wounded Knee Creek in 1890, and how a Dakota Sioux family dealt with the injustices of the time while settling in the Black Hills with the Lakota band of Lone Horn.

In 2015 Dale released his second book; a fantasy novella for ages 9 to 90, "THE WILD WAYS–MYSTERY OF THE HANGING TOWER," which features a loud-mouthed squirrel named, Chatter, a fidgety gopher named, Archie, a raccoon—Ring—with special powers. The animals select ten-year-old Oscar Johnson to receive the Wild Ways, the language that allows animals to communicate with each other. Aware of a plot to destroy their homeland, they enlist Oscar to help them solve a thirty-year-old mystery and involve the FBI to save their future.

He has had poetry included in two annual stage productions by the Bloomington Arts Council, at The Black Box Theatre in Bloomington, MN, and has had his poems included in multiple anthologies.

He has had two radio plays recorded in front of live audiences at the Lakes Area Theatre, Alexandria, MN. Each broadcast by several radio stations across the state.

An avid outdoorsman, Dale is the holder of three U.S. patents aligned with the sport of archery.

Authors Note:

In addition to bible study, some of my favorite pastimes involve hunting, camping, canoeing, and travel. I've bow hunted the big timber from California to New Hampshire, and the croplands between; canoed the BWCA, the Manistee, and the Merrimac; snorkeled in the Sea of Marmara, tracked satellites in Tananarive, Madagascar, and I can start a campfire after five days of steady rain.

Dale currently speaks on his book, "The Thirty-ninth Man," and historical facts surrounding the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862; the causes of the war and how it changed the Great Sioux Nation forever. His special program aimed at fourth-grade students is designed to buoy their self-worth by sharing personal stories of life in the early 50's and by relating to the goodness of wild animals as expressed in the book The Wild Ways. Contact www.dale-swanson.com to schedule a presentation at your facility. References available on request.