When we think of Scandinavia usually the first things that pop into our heads are the Vikings, thanks to Hollywood and Netflix, and then maybe Scandi design. However, this short history of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands shows us that there is more to Scandinavian history.
While the Viking age certainly influenced the history of France, England, Rus (modern day Russia) and Constantinople (and the Black Sea area) with colonies in Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and for a short time in Newfoundland. However, in the 17th century Sweden/Denmark had one of the most imposing armies in Europe and controlled a large area of the Baltic, Poland, and parts of Germany during the religious wars which swept through Europe.
Certainly, the 18th and 19th century saw the Scandinavian countries become second class nations but even so acquired several colonies in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
This century also saw the development of the welfare state, which is the envy of many countries, and Scandinavian countries are frequently among the happiest and most liveable.
Kuldkepp maintains a keen focus on how geography, social structure and external influences have shaped Scandinavian identity. He captures the soul of the North in a way that is informed, nuanced and surprisingly comprehensive for such a slim volume.
Reviewed by Anthony Llewellyn-Evans
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mart Kuldkepp is a professor and researcher of Estonian and Nordic history at University College London, where he specialises in the political history of the Baltic and Nordic regions in the 20th century
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