Dakota Attitude

Dakota Attitude

Honors Those Who Served​

Veterans fill the pages of Dakota Attitude—from the Puppe brothers (Jim’s dad’s first cousins) who died in World War II to the survivors of every conflict since—our country’s history would be different if it weren’t for the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way. It’s why the book is dedicated to all the North Dakota service men and women who died fighting for our freedom.

To honor their service, we’ve listed several of the stories of Those Who Served that appear in Dakota Attitude. We encourage you to celebrate Veterans Day, and every day, by reading about those who fought so you could be free.

Those Who Served

Back by Popular Demand!

The eighth printing of Dakota Attitude is now in bookstores and available online. Even though the book has been out of print for about a year, requests for copies and for Jim to appear have continued to the point where this eighth printing was inevitable. Thanks for your continuing support for and interest in Dakota Attitude.

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Stories from Every Town in North Dakota

Even the most inspiring experiences and unique life lessons go unknown if they are not shared. Jim Puppe traveled his home state to ensure the stories of fellow North Dakotans were heard and not forgotten.

He visited every North Dakota town on his map, interviewed more than a 1,000 people, and documented their words in 617 stories. Dakota Attitude is your chance to learn about the lives of these folks in their own words.

The stories told in Dakota Attitude will inspire enjoyment, wonder, admiration, and a few tears.

About Dakota Attitude
Jim Puppe interviews Pauline (Koch) Roll outside her home in Heil, ND, Grant County.
Jim’s well-used map of North Dakota. (Photo: Gregory Locnikar)

Road Map for a Book

Jim traveled over 113,000 miles between 2004 and 2018 to collect the stories now shared in Dakota Attitude. His map has been with him throughout the project and shows Jim’s own Dakota attitude—the drive, dedication and passion he engaged while bringing Dakota Attitude to fruition.

Meet Jim

We Can't Feature All 617 Stories...

…but you can read a few. Meet Calvin Lettenmaier, who sold the beer his dad illegally brewed for 10 cents a bottle. Sharon (Red Fox) Georgeson reminds us “You can always change.” Marshall Johnson sees beauty in the land everywhere he travels in North Dakota. 

These featured stories—from two World War II veterans, the mother of 21 children in 21 years, and small-town postal worker—are a window into the rich contents of Dakota Attitude.

Read More Stories

From Dakota Attitude's Inbox

Your book has become my daily meditation. What a work of art it is! — Juliana H.
I am blown away by your book! Susan M.
I can’t fully express the depth of my respect and admiration over the publication of your book. Char-Marie F.
Priceless North Dakota wisdom and history! Joyce H.
Thanks for completing this book...it will touch many people! Joel
My coworkers enjoyed "thumbing through their neck of the woods." Makenzie Q.
The world so desperately needs a feel-good book right now. Kathy D.
I'm surprised at how many people we know in the book. It's really fun to read. Gladys & Wayne T.
I think it will be a bestseller in North Dakota. Mary N.
I've started reading [and have] had a smile on my face most of the time. Paul P.