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.

This book shows how a country governed for years by a European monarchial system slowly--and at times grudgingly--changed into the egalitarian, democratic system of today. Starting with an...

Nordstrom's work fills a serious gap in English-language reference sources on the Scandinavian countries. The dictionary spans the period from the Viking Age to the present. "Choice"

Culture and Customs of Sweden is an ideal introduction to this fascinating nation. The book opens with a broad overview of the country and then examines specific themes such as religion, marriage, family, gender issues, education, holidays, popular customs, sports and leisure, media, literature, performing arts, art, and architecture.

Throughout, the author seeks to strike a balance between the history of these many aspects of contemporary Sweden and what is happening there today--at a time when Sweden is undergoing many profound changes. For example, the chapter on...