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Customer Reviews (4)

Complete Sweden History Book
Sweden (enlarged edition) The Nation's History is a well written and interesting book for visitors to Sweden to have a better understanding of the people, their politics, religions, every day life to better enjoy their holiday in Scandinavia. It is also a wonderful resource for genealogists needing a grasp of Swedish heritage to gain perspective toward answering family history questions and breaking down brick walls in research.

Quite a good history.
But the subject matter may not be quite as interesting as you'd thought.Sweden is a small country, on the periphery of Europe, and not quite as much as you may've thought has happened there.

Simply a fantastic book
This book merges military, religious and social history. It covers all the history of the nation since cavemen times. However it is most focused on the last two centuries but without skipping any important event in earlier times. I think it is the best book on Sweden's history of ever and I sought for this type of historical source since 2004! And It is also very cheap!

The Only Resource You'll Need
From the Ice Age to the assasination of Olof Palme, Scott digs into every nook and cranny of Sweden's history. The account is blissfully more than political, though that is the backbone of the book. Besides hitting the military conquests, the great kings, etc. The farming life, the culture, the art, literature, and science of Sweden are also major points in this book, perhaps more aptly a history of the Swedish people, rather than just the nation's history.

Of course, Gustav II Adolph and the tragic Karl XII and the Great Northern War are probably the two greatest contributions of the Swedish people to the development of continental Europe, and they are dealt with very well in this book. But, the shoes of an Empire always too large for Sweden, the book reflects more on the progressive and peaceful transitions and compromises that have made Sweden's politics unique in the world, and more recently, almost a miracle. From the alliance of the monarch and the people against the nobility in the policy of land reduction which forever halted feudalism, to the age of freedom in which Sweden experimented with a bourgeoise liberalism, and finally through the gradual peaceful fall of plutocracy into democracy and the welfare state, Sweden has proved itself to be an iconoclast of domestic and foreign policy.

The author(s) *the 1986 revision contains an additional Epilogue* end on a probing discussion of the Welfare state. The great progressive achievement, they find, rests almost solely on the rich culture of Sweden, a conclusion one can hardly disagree with. A great portrait of a brilliant nation! ... Read more

Product Description
With its midnight sun and Gulf Stream climate, Sweden is a land of contradictions. It is home to petroglyphs dating from 9000 BC, thriving high-tech industries, and the ubiquitous design chain Ikea. A comparatively peaceful and economically stable twentieth century secured its reputation as a great place to live, with a solid economy and generous welfare system. Emigration reversed itself - now over ten percent of the country's nine million residents were born abroad. When Sweden entered the EU in 1995, and introduced the Euro in 2002, visiting became even easier. This short history is ideal for travellers, students, and those with an eye to the new Europe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A VERY GOOD INTRODUCTION TO SWEDISH HISTORY.
This book seems to be written to wet the appetite of those interested in Sweden's history. After reading this, we recommend that you do, one can branch off into more specific areas of interest. This book is well-wriiten and the author has worked hard painting a fair and objective picture of Sweden. Worth reading!!!

Introduction to Swedish History
Martina Sprague in her book Sweden: An Illustrated History, brings the story of this Nordic country to those who don't have a background in the basics of Swedish history. She opens the door quite elegantly for the outsider to the exciting battles, wars, adventures and hardships the Swedish people had to endure over numerous centuries. Starting at the very beginning Sprague (a native of Sweden herself) takes the reader on a brisk yet absorbing journey from the Ice Age, circa 10,000BC, all the way up to the assassination of Foreign Minister Anna Lindh in September of 2003. This book is a very fast paced introduction to the basics of Swedish history, where the author tries to touch on as many subjects as possible, but does not by any means go in depth. The reader learns about the Viking Age (circa 800 to 1050BC) and about the independent farmers who overthrew King Albrekt in 1389 because of high taxation in favor of the Danish Queen Margereta, who then goes on to establish the Kalmar Union (a dynastic union between Sweden, Denmark and Norway) in 1397. She then goes on to lightly discuss Sweden's struggle to throw off the Danish yoke in the 1523 Gustav Vasa Revolution, in which the nation finally became fully independent and actually had an empire of her own, with Finland, Poland, parts of Northern Prussia and Estonia under her control. Then comes the stories of the numerous northern wars fought against Denmark, and Poland. Sprague moves into the Twentieth Century (after Sweden lost her empire, with the exception of Norway 1814-1905) criticizing Sweden's decision to stay neutral in both World Wars, while at the same time staying very balanced as an historian should be. Overall this balanced approach to introduce Swedish history to the masses is welcomed, but don't expect to become very well versed in the different tides of Swedish history by reading this book alone. I would recommend this book not to the serious students of history, but to those who would like to learn a little about a subject they rarely hear anything about. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Historical writing at its dismal worst.
Without a doubt, one of the most boring books I've ever tried reading.

This is virtually nothing but an endless litany of names, dates, and places, barely held together by nebulous chapter themes (ex: "Monarchies in Equipoise").

My wife and I are taking a three week trip throughout Scandinavia, and I sought an interesting historical overview as background. This book is not it. I was a bit concerned since it originally published in 1977, but with 12 printings, I assumed it must have been updated (...wrong...) and was an interesting read (...wrong again...). There's only one illustration in the entire 400 page tome, and it's an out-of-date map.

Definitely written by a scholar for other scholars. Perhaps this book would be of interest to someone willing to spend a year deciphiring some runic inscription ... but for anyone seeking an interesting understanding of Scandinavian history, peoples and culture, this is death by detail.

A thorough, wide-ranging, scholarly work
This is a thorough, wide-ranging, scholarly work - a useful and insightful review that stretches over a millenium in time. Although the book charts the course in history of this geographically and culturally linked collection of peoples, it still emphasises the individuality of each.I hadn't realised just how complex a relationship of inter-dependence and rivalry existed between these nations for so long. Among the more fascinating discussions in the book, I would list: church-state relations especially in the period following the reformation, the impact of the industrial revolution and the development of the welfare state, the period leading up to the second world war and the relationship between the various countries and the major powers during the war (i.e. Finland with Russia, Denmark with Germany, etc.) and the historical contribution of each nation to the arts and sciences. One small criticism: I would have liked to have seen some maps in the book - my knowledge of Scandinavia is not so extensive that I could picture the geographical relationship of the many places mentioned.I especially found the early part of the book very heavy going, and difficult to follow the many movements of people that were detailed.

Excellent coverage of the war years
The author does an excellent job of covering Scandinavia during the war years. His use of information from Eisenhowers private papers brings a whole new dimension to understanding what was going on in each country.Iwas not aware that near the end of the war Ike had a serious plan toliberate the Norwegian Allies from the NAZIS, by first liberating Denmark,then proceeding overland across Sweden. (I wonder if he would have giventhe job to Patton?)

A concise and complete history of all of Scandinavia
In reading this book it becomes very apparent at how much the state-church relation influenced much of Scandinavia, and also it's people.It was also incredibly interesting to read about how the countries of Denmark, Swedenand Norway kept separating, and uniting.For anyone who is interested inScandinavian history, that delves way beneath the surface, look no further,TK Derry writes a book that can't be ignored. ... Read more

Product Description
For many Americans, Sweden used to conjure images of Viking raiders and settlers. By contrast, contemporary Sweden is one of the world's most advanced nations in terms of politics, social welfare, gender equality, standard of living, technology, the arts, and participation in regional and global developments. Nordstrom traces the history of Sweden, detailing its prehistory and Viking past. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Extemely dry history
I love history.I thought this extremely difficult reading and gave up after 20 or so pages. ... Read more

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A comprehensive history of Sweden is much needed. Neil Kent's book sweeps through Sweden's history from the Stone Age to the present day. Early coverage includes Viking hegemony, the Scandinavian Union, the Reformation and Sweden's political zenith as Europe's greatest superpower in the seventeenth century, while later chapters explore the Swedish Enlightenment, royal absolutism, the commitment to military neutrality and Pan-Scandinavianism. The author brings his account up to date by focusing on recent developments: the rise of Social Democracy, the establishment of the welfare state, the country's acceptance of membership in the European Union and its progressive ecological programme. The book successfully combines the politics, economics and social and cultural mores of one of the world's most successfully functioning and humane societies.This is an informative and entertaining account for students and general readers. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Vilhelm Moberg's History of the Swedish People, vol. 1
Both volumes of this book are EXCELLENT resources for those researching the history of the Swedish people and land.Gives the reader insight into both the positive and negative events and issues of Sweden.A must have book (get the 2nd volume too!)

boring
My mother was born in Sweden on a farm neighboring Vilhelm Moberg.I was expecting a different written history than this book and the second volume.I still don't know why Norway and Sweden are one body of land and yet two separate countries with different languages, etc.The book goes on and on about wars and more wars and how the peasants always were the ones to suffer.After a while it all blurred in to a story of wars, just with different characters.

An unconventional perspective
Mr. Moberg provides us with an insight into history from some angles that are not often assessed by other authors in the field. In Volume 1, he covers Scandinavia from prehistory, to the Renaissance. Major points of interest: the Viking Age, the arrival of the Black Plague, the Union Of Kalmar presided over by Queen Margaret...when all Scandinavia was ruled by one crown, culminating with the Dacke Rebellion.
Moberg was not impressed by the the role of kings, aristocracy, or statesmen. He considered the common-citizens and their contributions to be far more sincere and significant to the growth of a nation. Onechapter features a discussion of the study of ancient laws as a reflection on the conditions in a particular time and place. Moberg's two volumes are not so much a detailed chronology, but a collection of essays on varying subjects pertainent to the theme. This is the kind of book one can open at random and find something interesting in any chapter.

A history of Sweden that is not like any other
Vilhelm Moberg (1898-1973) was one of Sweden's leading men of letters, chiefly remembered today for his peerless emigrant tetralogy. His Min Svenska Historia was his life's work, and only completed after his death. Published in Swedish in two volumes, this book is the English translation of the first book, taking the history of Sweden from prehistory, through to the Kalmar Union and the death of Queen Margareta.

Unlike most history books of the era, though, this one is written with a definite slant. Moberg became disillusioned with the heroic history that he had been taught in his school days, finding that the great men and women of Swedish history actually had feet of clay that made their enshrining ludicrous. Embracing socialism in everything, he sought to write a book that reached past the kings and bigwigs of history, and told the story of the peasants that made the country everything that it was.

The book is quite iconoclastic, poking fun at many people who figure large in other history books - kings, magnates, and Viking warriors. In many ways it is a book ahead of its time, refusing to genuflect before anyone, and making for some humorous and fascinating reading. My one complaint against this book is that this first book contains no index, which limits its usefulness for everyday use (though I presume that there may be an index in the second volume).

So, if you are interested in reading a history of Sweden that is not like any other, or if you are interested in reading the thoughts of the great Vilhelm Moberg, then I highly recommend this book to you.
... Read more

Product Description
The Left in the 1960s and 1970s has a powerful, almost mythical, place in the history of the 20th century. It was during these decades that the radical Left managed to renew the language of socialism as an alternative to communism and liberalism alike, but also when radicalism often led to extremism and social movements turned into political sects. Focusing on the Left in Denmark and Sweden during those turbulent decades, this study pays close attention to the political language in the two countries and shows the constant challenge to the concepts of the Left in the face of rapid social, cultural and political changes. The precarious relationship between the Left and the nation serves as a starting point for the exploration of the development of the New Left after the break with communism, the subsequent student revolts and radicalization of the late 1960s until the movement s apparent collapse at the end of the 1970s. This book illustrates the challenges the Left was facing in its attempt to articulate a credible political language at a time of social, cultural and political transformation. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1852.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
The reading public outside Sweden knows little of that country's history, beyond the era in the seventeenth century when Sweden under Gustavus Adolphus became a major European power by her intervention in the Thirty Years' War. In the last decades of the seventeenth century another Swedish king, Charles XI, launched a less dramatic but remarkable bid to stabilize and secure Sweden's position as a major power in northern Europe and as master of the Baltic Sea. This book gives an account of what was achieved under the absolutist direction of a distinctly unglamorous, but pious and conscientious ruler. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The great "Grey coat"
Karl XI is one of my favourites in the Swedish history, Upton's biography gives a fair view of his too short lives. That without leaving his shortcomings as person and ruler. Karl XI may be less well known as his father Karl X Gustav and son Karl XII but far more interesting to study for a modern reader than the warriors. He stands in the history toghether with Gustav Vasa and Axel Oxenstierna as the builders of the early modern Swedish state.
I will recommend this book to everyone interested in Swedish or 17th century European history.

Excellent review of a forgotten king
Swedes tend to jump from Charles X Gustav to his grandson Charles XII, forgetting Charles XI. But this was one of Sweden's greatest kings. He broke the aristocratic oligarchy, shored up Crown finances and reorganisedthe civil service, the army and the navy. Most of all, he kept the peacefor 25 years when Sweden was large but poor and all its neighbours wereanxious to lay their hands on choice parts of it. Many of his reformslasted until well into the 20th century and some are still relevant today.Charles XII may have been glamorouos, but he foolishly lost an empire.Charles XI may have been a bore, but he preserved it all his life! ... Read more

Product Description
As the Scandinavian nations rarely participated in warfare during the 20th century, little has been written about their armed forces. However, they have employed formidable forces in many wars, as this study demonstrates. The volume includes discussion of: prehistoric warriors, Vikings; wars between Denmark and Sweden; the Thirty Years War; the Great Northern War; the Russo-Swedish Wars; the German Confederation reduces Denmark; the dilemma of World War I; the invasion of Scandinavia in 1940; the Russo-Finnish Wars; Sweden mobilizes for four invasion threats; the Scandinavians fight with the Allies and Axis; and postwar Scandinavia armed forces. There are photographs and illustrations of weapons and uniforms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent!
This is an outstanding look at Scandinavian military prowess.Very impressive and seems to be very complete and well researched.Highly recommended for all students of military history or Scandinavians who just need a dose of pride! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Great Shape!
I purchased this book as, there are so few books on swedish history. I recently went on a long journey to trace my grandparents roots back there.Now that I've found some of my family back there, I wanted to understand the history. I loved reading Mobergs Immigrant series also.

Very interesting!
I found this book to be very interesting.The author has a different topic for each chapter, and puts in his own opinions on some of the historical events!I especially liked it because my ancestors lived in that part of the country during those times.

Vilhelm Moberg's History of The Swedish People, Vol. 2
Again, an extremely important resource for those researching Swedish history, politics and culture.I learned a great deal. Moberg also examines the negative aspects of Swedish history as well as the positive events and culture.

The drama continues in Volume 2!
From the Renaissance, to the modern era! Mr. Moberg continues the saga of the Nordic lands, describing the deeds of the heroic rebel Englebrecht Engelbrechtson, the suppression of the commoners by the king Gustaf Vasa, the rebellion of MY ANCESTORS the Smalanders, and many wars between Sweden and Norway for dominance of the Baltic region. This time period saw the arrival of Lutheran philosophy in the church. The careers of the great kings: Gustavus Adolphus, hero of the Thirty Years War; Charles XII, and his heroic but fatal struggle with Peter the Great of Russia. The advent of the Age of Enlightenment...to the Industrial Age, and massive emmigration to North America. All through this, the average Swede soldiered on...

A history of Sweden that is not like any other
Vilhelm Moberg (1898-1973) was one of Sweden's leading men of letters, chiefly remembered today for his peerless emigrant tetralogy. His Min Svenska Historia was his life's work, and only completed after his death. Published in Swedish in two volumes, this book is the English translation of the second book, taking the history of Sweden from Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson and the dissolution of the Kalmar Union through to Gustav Vasa.

Unlike most history books of the era, though, this one is written with a definite slant. Moberg became disillusioned with the heroic history that he had been taught in his school days, finding that the great men and women of Swedish history actually had feet of clay that made their enshrining ludicrous. Embracing socialism in everything, he sought to write a book that reached past the kings and bigwigs of history, and told the story of the men and women that made the country everything that it was.

The book is quite iconoclastic, poking fun at many people who figure large in other history books - kings, soldiers, and magnates. In many ways it is a book ahead of its time, refusing to genuflect before anyone, and making for some humorous and fascinating reading. My one complaint against this book is that it contains no index, which limits its usefulness for everyday use (at least in the 1973 edition that I have access to).

So, if you are interested in reading a history of Sweden that is not like any other, or if you are interested in reading the thoughts of the great Vilhelm Moberg, then I highly recommend this book to you.
... Read more

Product Description
This is a survey of the point in history when Sweden rose to preeminence in Europe. Drawing on the latest literature in Swedish and other languages, Paul Lockhart examines the institutions of the Swedish 'empire' at the height of its influence, while focusing on the key historical questions: why did this impoverished state become a great power, how was it able to maintain this status, and what brought about its eventual decline?
... Read more

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General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1807Original Publisher: StockdaleSubjects: SwedenHistory / Europe / Russia ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Do not buy this edition
As an avid reader of military history, I was keen to learn more on King Charles XII of Sweden. Unfortunately I am none the wiser on recieving my copy of this book. In fact calling it a book is a stretch, it is a photocopy of a book, a badly copied photocopy of a book. In some sections ink blotches cover parts of the text, rendering them unreadable. In other sections the text is barely visible, again rendering it unreadable. If you wish to study King Charles XII, find another publication.

the history of a hero, written as history ought to be written
Why should one read a book by a 18-th century Frenchman on some obscure 18-th century king of Sweden?

The author: whenever I read Voltaire, the great writer, historian, poet and philosopher of the enlightment, I'm fascinated by his vivid style of writing and his choice of subject; here Voltaire writes the history of Charles XII, king of Sweden, and he writes this history as history ought to be written:
concisely, vividly and separating fact from fiction.

The subject: there are at least three reasons to be interested in Charles XII:
(1) The first time I heard of Charles XII was when I read that Napoleon, while sitting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, and beginning to realize that his Russian adventure may not turn out as favorable as he had hoped, studied Voltaire's history of the Charles XII - for good reason: Charles XII was the first whose arms had made all of Europe tremble, until he invaded Russia and failed as miserably as Napoleon would in 1812 and Hitler in 1941-45; in all three cases the Russian invasion exhausted the resources of the invader and led, at the end of the day, to his downfall.
(2) The great rival of Charles XII was nobody less than the fascinating Russian reformer Peter the Great.
(3) Charles XII was according to Voltaire not a great man, but "the most extraordinary man, perhaps, that ever appeared in the world": the young king Charles XII read the histories of Ceasar and Alexander the Great, and when a great European alliance was formed to annihilate the Swedish empire which the young king had inherited, he set out from Sweden in 1700 in search of glory, and, as daring and courageous as man can be, he found plenty of glory on Europe's battlefields.

In sum, I found this book highly interesting and can recommend it to all readers with an interest in history in general and the Napoleonic/Hitlerite invasion of Russia in particular.
... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Product Description

Not unlike the elusive figure played by Greta Garbo, the real Queen Christina stood among the most flamboyant and controversial figures of the seventeenth century. All of Sweden could not contain her ambition or quench her thirst for adventure. Freed from her crown, she cut a breathtaking path across Europe -- spending madly, seeking out a more majestic throne, and stirring up trouble wherever she went. With a dazzling narrative voice and unerring sense of the period, Veronica Buckley goes beyond historical myth to breathe life into an extraordinary woman who set the world on fire and became an icon of her age -- a time of enormous change when Europe stood at the crossroads of religion and science, antiquity and modernity, war and peace.

This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Scholarly bio of a Drama Queen
This is a wonderful book - rich in historical detail, intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. The author has a deep sense of humanity - and a dry sense of humour - which provides wry and insightful commentary on the mores of the time, and the excesses of the incredible Christina. The outcome is a warm and ultimately forgiving portrayal of a woman who would have been controversial in any age. The philosopher Descartes, the great artist Bernini, the composers Scarlatti and Corelli -they are among the many who have surprising walk-on roles in the drama of Christina's life.

Superficial and Disappointing
I have read a number of Christina biographies, and am familiar with seventeeenth century Scandinavia.When I saw this book I was excited that someone, an English-speaker, had something new to say about this extraordinary queen and her times.Perhaps I was expecting too much.If a reader knows nothing about the history of the times, and is an admirer of the works of Carolly Erickson or Jean Plaidy, he will probably enjoy reading this book.Anyone who knows a bit about seventeenth century Europe, and wants some scholarly rigor to heighten and challenge his knowledge base, will probably feel -- as I did -- cheated.

One never gets the sense from this biography that Christina was a real human being.She certainly was notable and eccentric, even considering her position and unusual personality.She was an appalling individual, both by present day standards and the standards of her own time.Even so, it must be asked why she was as she was.And, further, how she was typical of and different from what might have been expected of a royal figure in Europe at that time.Did she also possess traits that might make her easier to understand as a fellow human being?I did not find these questions adequately addressed by this book.She remains a circus freak, a human deformity.

This biography might well serve as an introduction to the subject for someone who has never heard of Christina, and who is not troubled by romance-novel writing.Still, I would rather recommend Georgina Masson's or Sven Stolpe's "Queen Christina" to such a reader.

In any event, it is heartening to see Scandinavian history being brought to an English-reading public.Personally, I am still waiting for a satisfactory biography of this troubling figure.

Disappointingly Skewed
While Buckley has admirably and extensively researched and detailed her portrait of Europe in the 1600's, her characterizations of Christina of Sweden are irritatingly judgemental and peevish. If you are looking for a curmudgeonly psuedoanalysis of the extraordinary Queen, you will be happy. If you are looking for an impartial biography or an exciting story, you won't find it here. Buckley cobbles the flow of her own narrative by nitpicking Christina's motivations at every turn. YAWN!

An excellent examination of a life.
Buckley has done a wonderful job with her first book and I am hoping that others will follow. This is a well-researched and well-documented biography of Christina. The queen is placed within her time period and Buckley wisely refrains from enforcing a modern view on the queen's lifestyle and decisions. Instead the author leaves the reader to make up their own mind.

And excellently written work, Buckley gives those of us with little knowledge of seventeenth century Sweden a context from which to view Christina's life. And the discussion of Karl Gustav, Christina's father, the man who made Sweden a powerful military nation, is an important part of understanding Christina's idea of herself.

For a pleasurable and enlightening look at one of the many high born (I would hesitate to call Christina powerful, except in her own mind) women floating around seventeenth century Europe, this is as great place as any to start.

I love a good eccentric!
Unfortunately, there was a lot of Swedish history to slog through at first.When I finally got to Christina's misadventures, things picked up.But this was not a really compelling biography--I kept counting how many pages I had left til the end.If you want a biography you can't put down, go read "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
For a hundred years, Sweden was the international military power of Northern Europe, in control of the entire Baltic region and among the first to colonize in Africa and America. But the history of Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, Poland, and Prussia is largely neglected in American classrooms and scholarship. This book fills a large void in European history as it is generally presented to the American student and reader.

This narrative covers Sweden'sAge of Greatness (1632-1718) and the warrior-kings who governed that age. It chronologically describes the political and religious events of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and reveals how these events produced the climate for European global expansion, including the exploration and colonization of the New World. The story traces history through the reigns of Sweden's ambitious rulers, beginning with the presumably Swedish Goths who ravaged the Roman Empire in the 2nd century CE and continuing through the end of the empire in the early eighteenth century. A thorough epilogue documents the cultural flowering in the arts and sciences that commenced in the Age of Greatness and continued to blossom in the centuries that followed. This final section of the book pays special attention to the personalities that drove Sweden's far-reaching cultural progress. ... Read more