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A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940

Average customer rating:

Solid Overview of a Special War between Very Special People
great reading
Finland's Valiant Stand
An excellent account
An objective account

A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940
William Trotter
Manufacturer: Algonquin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Winter War: The Soviet Attack on Finland 1939-1940
Finland at War 1939 - 45 (Elite)
Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf
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The White Death: The Epic of the Soviet-Finnish Winter War

ASIN: 1565122496

Book Description

In 1939, tiny Finland waged war-the kind of war that spawns legends-against the mighty Soviet Union, and yet their epic struggle has been largely ignored. Guerrillas on skis, heroic single-handed attacks on tanks, unfathomable endurance, and the charismatic leadership of one of this century's true military geniuses-these are the elements of both the Finnish victory and a gripping tale of war.

Customer Reviews:

Solid Overview of a Special War between Very Special People.......2007-05-15

Although I was raised in the 70s by uncles full of admiration of what the Finns did to the Russians for three months it is still a profound dissapointment that few people know, and even fewer people care about this profound struggle of 3 Million Finns -- a free people -- against the tyranny of Stalinst Russia.

For a nation this small to have the stomach to thumb their noses at the Russians and then to systematically cut their attacks to ribbons -- inflicting colonial war casualties on the Russians -- it truly one of the David against Goliath matches in history.

But there is more to the traditional interpretation notion of the "plucky Finns" and the "incompetent Russians:" Finns eventually did succumb to the inevitable onslaught of the Russians. There were cases of the Finns actually breaking from the front, and Russians actually adapting tactics to overcome the Finnish ability to use their understanding of their own geography to dominate the Russians. That is perhaps not so hard to believe. What is harder to believe is miracles such as the battle of Soussalmi -- where Finnish ski troops cut to pieces 30,000 Russians for the total of 1,700 Finnish dead.

The book is an overview only and does cover the various stages of the war -- the initial and failed Russian Offensive of December, the holding pattern of January and the final onslaugth that brought the end for Finland. But the book does not pretend to be a total overview of the fighting on the front -- on that point there still needs to be a definitive English edition of this war such as what Norman Davis' "Rising 44" did for the Warsaw Insurrection.

There is also not enough background on the political developments surrounding the war and the geopolitical drivers of policy (the actions of the Western allies are a bit bewildering to those uninitiated in a good understanding of the history of these times).

There is also a good chapter on Mannerheim. This man, so long assciated with both the fighting spirit of Finland is often equated totally as the heart of Finn resistance. His personality was in fact authoritarian, problematic and a direct result of the Tsarist officer corps he was raised within and whose spirit he imbided.

A good read and well worth your time.

great reading.......2007-05-14

awesome reading of a awesome moment in our recent history. How finland could survive this war?? David vs Goliath. but not all was romantic, finland has to make a lot of concesions, and they "lost" too the war in a certain way. its the best example of how always both sides lost in a war

this war has been forgotten over the years, and with this book is posible to remember or know for first time one of the most heroic moment in our history. a fight for freedom and for independence.

I loved the book

Finland's Valiant Stand .......2006-10-31

This history is a testament to the value of a highly trained military force. The Finns accomplished very much with very little, in the face of a massive Soviet invasion at the outset of World War II. Despite Finland's small population, and poorly supplied armed forces, they held their ground against an incredible onslaught of modern weaponry.
The Soviets had Finland vastly outnumbered in troops, artillery, armored vehicles, aircraft, ships, and all manner of supplies. However, most of the Soviet troops were pathetically trained cannon-fodder, wasted in enormous human-wave assaults against fortified positions (very typical of all communist regimes). The Soviet officer corps had been recently liquidated in concentration camps at Stalin's oders!
The Finnish soldier was generally a well-trained reservist, adept at marksmanship, wilderness survival, camoflage, skiing, and all pertainent infantry skills. Finland greatly lacked most of the modern weaponry possessed by the Soviets, but frequent raids on the enemy bolstered their supplies. In general, all Finnish forces, air, land, and sea inflicted terrible damage on a much larger invading force.
Meanwhile, the international community cried out against the Soviet invasion...but did very little to actually assist Finland. Disgusted with their indecisive government, some 8000 Swedish military personnel "took leave" to help their neighbors, but it was too late. Finland's military commander, the famous Karl Gustaf Mannerheim, did manage to negotiate a peace which kept the U.S.S.R. from occupying most of Finland, but large regions of territory were lost.
This book describes all aspects of the Winter War in great detail, from individual accounts to major units. Here are some of the highlights:
-The aggressive and ingenious tactics of the Finns, such as 2 man night-raids on skis. One man carried a Soumi submachinegun (excellent weapon), the other a pistol and flashlight. Both had grenades. They would sneak up to the Russian trenches, flash-blind the enemy with the light, and strafe the trench, toss grenades, and be off before the panicing Soviet troops knew what hit them. Soviet soldiers learned to fear the Finns!
-Read how Finland's small airforce knocked disproportionate numbers of enemy aircraft out of the sky!
-Creative improvisation by Finnish troops on the battlefield, in attack and defense!

An excellent account.......2006-01-10

Trotter has a very easy-to-follow style of writing which he uses to great effect as he introduces the reader to the background to The Winter War. The background set, he also examines the mindset of the key people who were later to play a pivotal role in an epic David-and-Goliath struggle.

Trotter uses a witty, often dry, tone on occasion which, to my mind, adds a much more familiar tone to the book, ensuring that it does not end up as a plain, single-dimensional report. Rather it shows just how the people involved were real, imperfect and yet played their own part.

I've read my copy over a dozen times and it will always remain at the top of my favourites list.

An objective account.......2005-12-22

The book deals with one of the least narrated conflicts during the preliminary years of the WW2.The writer is unprejudiced about the varios versions of the war.The interesting thing about the Finnish War is that it has a lot of conseqences affecting the both parties at war.The Red Army general staff and Soviet leaders test their strength really for the first time when you disregard the Ghalkin-Gol conflict in the far east.Though defeated, Finland does not bow to Soviet pressure unlike Baltic states.After nazi invasion of Russia, the Finns try their luck by fighting alongside nazi invaders but were finally beaten with the rest.Today the border lies where it was settled then.

Average customer rating:

Good enough
Does its job, even if one is wont to grumble about the rip-offs it might lead you into

Lonely Planet Finland
Andy Symington
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Finland | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1740597915

Customer Reviews:

Good enough.......2007-05-10

Provides good basic information on plenty of spots (even the tiny ones not on the most popular routes). Sometimes little overexcited about the atmosphere or the value of certain sights or cites. The information about pricing and eating joints is outdated in several cases which - on the other hand - forces you to start exploring by yourself. Generally useful especially for your fist trip to Suomi.

Does its job, even if one is wont to grumble about the rip-offs it might lead you into.......2007-03-12

Having moved to Helsinki last August and traveled around a bit, I've used the 5th edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Finland for several months now, mainly in the south of the country. I found the guide useful, but certain aspects of it invite comment.

LONELY PLANET FINLAND does cover all of the standard sightseeing objectives in the country, including museums and natural areas outside of the largest cities. And while maps are often problematic in Lonely Planet guides, I found no errors at all in this one. The activities recommended in cities like Helsinki are spot-on, free of kitsch routes and putting travelers in good contact with the locals. The author clearly thinks that most people will be in the south of Finland in the summer, since visiting places like Suomenlinna wouldn't be all that interesting in the cold and dark time of the year, but this I suppose is a reasonable assumption. And since the guide was written by a single person, Andy Symington, it is more coherent in its rating of destinations and activities than the often self-contradictory guidance of collaborative Lonely Planet efforts.

But while the book is a good companion once one has settled in at one's destination, quite objectionable is its guidance on lodging and travel, with so much inexplicably geared towards wealthy travelers. Finland has a high cost of living, true, but it can be a very cheap destination for the backpacker. You know, that demographic that Lonely Planet has historically targeted. The inclusion of hotels that charge 200 euro/night or more is simply ridiculous; travelers that would fork over that much are much more likely to buy the simpler Berlitz, Fodor's, or Frommer's guides. Even recommendation of so many hostels and guesthouses in each locale seems unnecessary. Basically the entire country is now covered by free Internet hospitality services like Hospitality Club and Couchsurfing, so there's no need to pay for lodging and tours when chances are some kind local will give it to you all in exchange for just interesting conversation and cultural exchange. Similarly, coverage of the north of the country seems excessively concerned with expensive guided tours and safaris.

The preference for expensive lodging is mirrored by the exclusive attention paid to Finland's notoriously pricely train and bus systems. I was happy to see that the Directory of the Finland guide lacks the scary "hitchhiking is never entirely safe and we don't recommend it" text the publisher favours, and in fact the author is fairly positive about it. Unfortunately, this kind look towards hitchhiking doesn't actually translate into giving tips on it. Cutting out the luxury hotel listings that no one will use anyway would free up space for simple advice like "In Tampere, the most popular place to hitchhike towards Helsinki among local students is Viinikka crossroads, a ten-minute walk south from the bus station."

If you are going to Finland to visit just a couple of cities and have already secured lodging and know how to travel cheaply, you should have no problem printing out some information about basic sightseeing from freely available resources on the Web. I found Lonely Planet Finland a decent investment, but only because I've gone out to see many places around the country.

The Winter War: The Soviet Attack on Finland 1939-1940

Average customer rating:

The Finnish Spirit...Humor at it's best.
Preservation of Finnish Autonomy
Quick reading, good overview
A little known war that could have drastically changed WWII
A summary of the War between the Soviet Union and Finland.

The Winter War: The Soviet Attack on Finland 1939-1940
Eloise Engle , and Lauri Paananen
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Short History of Finland

ASIN: 0811724336

Customer Reviews:

The Finnish Spirit...Humor at it's best........2006-12-26

When the Soviets attack Finland in 1939, they were not expecting the Finnish welcome that they recieved. The Finns were not necessarily prepared but they were not caught unaware either. What resulted of this ill advised attack was shameful for the mighty Soviet military machine. First they were under equiped for prolonged war and severe weather. Second, they were fighting in a school book military campagin fashion. Both, were capitalized upon by the determined Finns, the first was in terms of weather, nature was at their side. Then secondly, the Finns fought in an un-orthdox gorilla type warfare that caught the Soviets by surprise. Eloise Engle and Lauri Pannanen's book is a joy to read. It is witty and fluent in prose and style. I have re-read this book often because it encourages me when things get hectic. The Finns never lost their sense of humor throughout this devestating invasion. They kept their wits about them and fought overwellming odds with good attitudes. This book is an excellent read for cold winter days, such as today. I recommend it for any would be military buff who wants to know about cold weather tactics or winter military campaigns. The depiction of the finns fighting spirit and humor in this book should make you smile. It is a modern day depiction of David against Golith, well worth the price.

Preservation of Finnish Autonomy.......2005-08-12

Absolutely great book on a subject little known outside of Finland. Great battle recollections from participants along with historical background of both Finland, as a country, and the onset of war with Russia, make this a great read.

Quick reading, good overview.......2005-07-15

This is a book that covers one of the less covered topics, the Soviet attack on Finland. The author presents the events and overall battles and engagements in a fluid and flowing manner. The book is a good read and provides insight as to the tenacity of the Finnish soldiers in defending their home country against a more modern and better equipped Soviet Army.

What finally caused the surrender of Finland was the complete overwhelming superiority of men, material, and equipment that the Soviets had and the Finnish could not sustain against in prolonged combat. The author describes how the poorly led and supplied Soviet troops were being surrounded and eliminated by the Finns in the winter combat. Also describes is how the Finns immediately used the captured equipment and ammunition to fill their non-existing inventories.

This book provides an excellent overall strategic view. Specific battles and the personal first hand view of the fighting is not described in this book. This book is worthwhile reading.

It should also be remembered that Finland was the only minor Axis ally not occupied by the Soviets after World War 2. The bravery of their soldiers and their tenacity may have been a significant factor in their independence.

A little known war that could have drastically changed WWII.......2004-06-25

There are a number of books available on the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, which was fought for a few months from Dec '39 to March '40. Even so, the war is little known in the west, coming as it did just after the Nazi/Soviet partition of Poland, during the Sitzkrieg, and just before the Nazi invasions of Norway and Denmark. Little Finland held off a Soviet onslaught for several months before superior numbers and equipment finally wore the Finnish defenders out. Meanwhile, the world debated whether to aid the Finns, occupied as they were with Nazi aggressions.

The book is written anecdotally, giving a flavour of the nature of the fighting in the war, rather than a strategic overview of causes and a tactical description of the campaign. This is a wise move as the Winter War was tactically simple - there were no fancy maneuvers, it was basically soldier-to-soldier fighting in the dark and cold, where the elements were at least as dangerous as the enemy. That's not to say that statistics and battles are not described, but they are not the important or interesting part of the book.

The authors are Finnish and the story is told almost exclusively from the Finnish point of view. Originally written in 1973, they would not have had access to Soviet records. They do give a feel for the Soviet soldier's lot, however, based on interviews with POW's. I am satisfied that, with the information available at the time, the facts are accurate - the Finns DID wipe out entire divisions (with the help of the cold and snow), the Soviets DID curl up into defensive positions and lose the initiative, and the guerrilla tactics used by the Finns (much like those used in current-day Iraq and in Vietnam) rubbed the invaders' nerves raw and sapped morale. Most interesting, however, is the analysis of the political situation from the Finnish point-of-view: would acceptance of foreign aid, for example, actually extend the war and/or hamper negotiations during the peace talks?

Unfortunately, the story is incomplete. At 200 pages, there's ample room to include the Continuation War (after Finland formally allied itself with Nazi Germany and tried to reclaim their lost territory). Also, the writing style is almost juvenile, compared to the smooth and precise prose of Keegan, Churchill, etc. English is probably not the first language of at least one of the authors. Therefore, the book is interesting and useful, as far as it goes, but it is too short and not written well enough to be called a classic.

A summary of the War between the Soviet Union and Finland........2003-10-10

This is a nice summary book of the war between the Soviet Union and Finland. This book was written back in 1973, and the one on sale here is a reprint. Trotter's book, A Frozen Hell is probably a better book because it gives an analysis of the war, where this book are reflections of the war from the Finish viewpoint. However this book has merit, simply because it has recorded some of the sufferings on the Finish side, in the war with a super powver.
For those people wanting a balanced point of view, go with Trotter's book. For those who only need a brief history of this event, this is an adequate and very readable book, complete with pictures. As one of the previous reviewers has pointed out, one of the authors is a Finn, and this is his first book, so the wording might be a little stilted. However, I don't think it detracts from the story of a war where the Soviets may have suffered over a million casualities, while inflicting only 50,000 casualities on the Finnish population. The Soviets bit off more than they could chew when they decided to invade Finland.

Insight Pocket Guide Helsinki (Insight Pocket Guides)

Average customer rating:

Useful Helsinki Guide

Insight Pocket Guide Helsinki (Insight Pocket Guides)
Norman Renouf
Manufacturer: Insight Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9812581375

Book Description

Insight Pocket Guides are packed with loads of personal recommendations-- it's like having your own private tour guide. All the itineraries are tailor-made by seasoned travel writers and journalists living and working in the area. The free pullout map plots all the recommended tours so you can plan your day, take your map, and go!

Customer Reviews:

Useful Helsinki Guide.......2006-01-30

This travel guide has nice pictures of Helsinki and nice color maps. The pull out map is especially useful and colorful. The walking routes are nice and I also like the excursions section. After reading this book the full Finland Insight Guide is probably not worth the price unless you really are spending a long time in Finland.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Addition to Elite Series
Finland, the mouse against the bear

Finland at War 1939 - 45 (Elite)
Philip Jowett
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940
No.10 (Inter-Allied) Commando 1942 - 45: Britain's Secret Commando (Elite)

ASIN: 184176969X
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Book Description

Finland's fight to defend her independence earned this tiny nation of just 3 million people a distinct place in history. Invaded by Stalin before World War II, Finland held out for months and inflicted huge losses on the invaders, but she was eventually crushed by the weight of Soviet numbers. When Germany invaded the USSR in 1941 the Finns fought alongside the Wehrmacht on the northern Russian Front, with great skill and courage in an attempt to regain their lost territories. When the German armies were forced to retreat in 1944, Finland managed to conclude a separate peace with the USSR – uniquely, without being forced to accept renewed Russian occupation. This book details the organisation, uniforms and equipment of this remarkable force.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Addition to Elite Series.......2006-11-06

Finland at War 1939-45, # 141 in Osprey's Elite series, is an excellent introduction to the role of the Finnish Army in the Second World War. Authors Philip Jowett and Brent Snodgrass demonstrate a firm grip of this subject and provide a wealth of useful and hard-to-find information on the Finns. This volume belongs on the bookshelves of anyone seriously interested in the Eastern Front.

The opening section spends about 12 pages outlining the chronology of the three wars that Finland fought in the period 1939-45; the 1939-40 Winter War and 1941-44 Continuation War against the Soviet Union and the 1944-45 Lapland War against the Germans. However the chronology section actually has a fair amount of detail and provides a good introduction to the subject. The heart of the volume lies in the 25-page section which discusses the organization of the Finnish army, covering all the major branches as well as paramilitary formations such as the Civil Guard and Foreign Volunteers. A brief section discusses tactics, including the use of "motti" encirclement attacks and snipers. A final section discusses weapons, including small arms, machineguns, anti-tank weapons and artillery (unfortunately, mortars were omitted). Overall, there is a wealth of information in this thin volume and it is one of the better of Osprey's Elite titles.

Eight pages of color plates by artist Raffaele Ruggeri depict the Finnish military and para-military forces from 1939-45. The photographs in the volume are also very good and most have not been printed in English-language books before. Perhaps the only area that gets a bit skimped on is in the areas of training and higher staff functions at corps-level, but this is understandable given the size restraints. Overall, a superb volume.

Finland, the mouse against the bear.......2006-09-04

A good book explaining the war between Finland and USSR, lists the equipment, vehicles and artillery.

Finland (Enchantment of the World. Second Series)

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Finland (Enchantment of the World. Second Series)
Sylvia McNair
Manufacturer: Children's Press (CT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 0516204726

A Concise History of Finland (Cambridge Concise Histories)

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A Concise History of Finland (Cambridge Concise Histories)
David Kirby
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521539897

Book Description

Few countries in Europe have undergone such rapid social, political and economic changes as Finland has during the last fifty years. David Kirby here sets out the fascinating history of this northern country, for centuries on the east-west divide of Europe, a country not blessed by nature, most of whose inhabitants still earned a living from farming fifty years ago, but which today is one of the most prosperous members of the European Union. He shows how this small country was able not only to survive in peace and war but also to preserve and develop its own highly distinctive identity, neither Scandinavian nor Eastern European. He traces the evolution of the idea of a Finnish national state, from the long centuries as part of the Swedish realm, through self-government within the Russian Empire, and into the stormy and tragic birth of the independent state in the twentieth century.

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Finland - in a nutshell
ditto
Finnish History in 170 (!) pages

A Short History of Finland
Fred Singleton
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Finnish: An Essential Grammar (Routledge Grammars)

ASIN: 0521640695

Book Description

This is a second edition of the successful study of Finland in the English language. A Short History of Finland traces the historical development of the country from its settlement by the Finns in the first millennium AD to the present time, exploring Finland's earlier connection with Sweden, the complex relationship with Russia that has dominated Finnish history in the past two centuries, and the postwar achievements of the second republic. This second edition has been revised and updated by Emeritus Professor A. F. Upton, a leading scholar of Scandinavian history. It covers the impact of the break-up of the Soviet Union and brings events up to Finland's admission to the European Union in 1995.

Customer Reviews:

Finland - in a nutshell.......2000-10-23

This book provides a brief, but very comprehensive, history of Finland from the bronze age to the twentieth century. I found the extensive details on the early history of Swedish-Finnish expansion extremely helpful, although the book is a bit skimpy on the topic of the Finnish civil war. The book rightfully calls itself a "short" history, but it's a satisfying overview.

ditto.......1999-07-09

Ditto what the reader from Las Vegas said. It seemed a little bit too thin, but then it is called "A Short History". Given that it is so short, there should have been a little bit less about political machinations and the Left, and the space saved should have been used to say a little bit more about the military history, economics, culture, emigratin, etc. Also, the prose style, while readable, does not sparkle. But these are minor quibbles. For the most part, the book is what it claims to be.

Finnish History in 170 (!) pages.......1999-04-23

This book delivers exactly what its title suggests, "A Short History of Finland". From the earliest prehistoric beginnings to the sea-change in Finnish foreign policy with its membership in the EU in '95, this work outlines all significant events in Finnish history. Contains several appendices with Tsar Alexander's declaration, petition to the Bolshevik government for independence, and the 1948 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. The second edition was completed by a different author, but the revisions are seamless- the reader cannot detect any changes of style or editing.

I would have given this book 5-stars, except for what I believe is an inordinate amount of paper given to the rise and machinations of the left in Finnish politics. Given the original author's admitted interest in left-wing politics, this is probably unavoidable. However, the space could have been better used to flesh out chapters on the Russo-Finnish war, Continuation War and the involvement of the Soviets in Finnish politics post-war. For future editions, the author may wish to include the 1947 peace treaty along with the 1948 treaty in the Appendices. So maybe 4 1/2 is more accurate.

If you are a tourist or business person who wants more history than is presented in the usual tour guide, or are a student looking for background on aspects of Scandinavian history, get this book. Besides, you can probably finish it on the flight to Helsinki...

Battles for Scandinavia (World War II #28)
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Battles for Scandinavia (World War II #28)
John R. Elting
Manufacturer: Time Life Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Scandinavia Since 1500
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Excellent, objective history of Scandinavia

Good, comprehensive text

Scandinavia Since 1500
Byron J. Nordstrom
Manufacturer: University of Minnesota Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0816620989

Book Description

Scandinavian Studies/History

The most up-to-date account of this fascinating region.

Though marked by certain geographical, linguistic, and cultural differences, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands are united by a common bond and a shared history. This history comes richly to life in this up-to-date, thorough, and readable account of modern Scandinavia.

Structuring his history along the lines of traditional European chronology-Renaissance, Early Modern, Modern, and Contemporary periods-Byron J. Nordstrom brings a distinctly twentieth-century perspective to his work. He shows how religions, political ideas, economic practices, intellectual movements, and technological innovations have come to Scandinavia from abroad only to be modified and recast in a uniquely Nordic character. Among the many topics he examines are Gustav II's military reforms, Danish absolutism, the constitutions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Scandinavian modern design, management techniques and shopfloor production strategies, and the welfare state.

Surveying political, diplomatic, social, economic, and culture aspects of the region's history, Scandinavia since 1500 is a comprehensive yet nuanced portrait of this unique region.

Byron J. Nordstrom is professor of history and Scandinavian studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.

Translation Inquiries: University of Minnesota Press

Customer Reviews:

Excellent, objective history of Scandinavia.......2006-01-06

Having been born and lived in Denmark till age fourteen, I was taught history in a most subjective fashion.
Many years later when visiting Stockholm I saw an enormous monument celebrating a battle in which Sweden defeated Denmark. I was aware of the battle, but obviously no monuments to it existed in Denmark.
Years later I stood on the battlements of Kungelv castle watching the Gotaelv running below. The loss of Bohus county to Sweden was but a minor footnote to Danish history, but obviously very important to Sweden as it controlled access to the Western oceans.
Professor Nordstrom's book has succeeded in putting events such as these in a subjective form and is a must for anyone seriously interested in the history of Scandinavia.
PHT
Branford, Connecticut

Good, comprehensive text.......2003-07-08

My Scandinavian history professor recommended this book to me. What he didn't tell me is that he was mentioned in the preface of the book (the author obviously used my professor's book for a reference). Anyway, the book does a great job detailing the economic, political, and cultural situations in Scandinavia dating from 1500 to the present. If I were a professor teaching this kind of history, I would definitely require this as a text because of it's comprehensiveness and how relatively short it is. It's a good book for those interested in Scandinavian studies.

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