Reviews (4)

A new interpretation of Luther
What is most fascinating about this book is the fact that deification or theosis becomes a crucial component of Luther's doctrine of justification.For too long, the idea of theosis has remained obscure and unknown within Western Christianity, while it is an important piece of Eastern Orthodox theology.Furthermore, this idea has it's roots in Patristic teaching and the idea itself is taught not only in the Scriptures, but in early Fathers such as Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, Chrysostom, and even Augustine.The Finnish interpretation is fascinating because it argues that Luther had more in common with the Eastern theologian Gregory Palamas, then he did with Aquinas or Calvin. Deification in Luther?
I was really interested in this book for two reasons. First, it allows modern Lutherans (LCMS and LCWS) to move away from their typically myopic, one-sided christology that sees the incarnation in Anselmian terms wherein Christ is born to "pay the price" to satisfy the wrath of an angry Father who needs to punsih someone to let us off the hook for our sins both original and actual, thus pitting God's love against His justice. While there is some truth to this theory of atonement, it is far too narrow. It hardly is representative of the great tradition of the Church (or the Scriptures). Excellent research served with baloney ...
"Union With Christ" creates a divided reaction from the reader: The excellent research of the Finnish scholars leaves nothing to be desired. Superb, highly academic research, clearly structured, and well argued. I might not agree with all of their points, but they certainly did their homework well. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1483-1546    2. 16th century    3. Christianity - Lutheran    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. Christianity - Theology - Protestant    6. Finland    7. History of doctrines    8. Justification (Christian theol    9. Justification (Christian theology)    10. Luther, Martin    11. Luther, Martin,    12. Lutheran Church    13. Orthodox Eastern Church    14. Relations    15. Religion    16. Religion - Denominations - Religions    17. Theology, Doctrinal    18. Christian theology    19. Protestantism & Protestant Churches   

Reviews (3)

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

Subjects:  1. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    2. Northern Europe, Scandinavia   

Reviews (2)

new printing of provocative book on eugenics policies in Scandinavian countries
With only a new Preface, this paperback is a reissue--not a new edition--of the 1996 hardcover to raise once again fundamental social and moral issues relating to eugenics; which is invariably portrayed as a singular means for the betterment of many individuals and improvement of society by those attracted to it. The six articles by the editors and others examine various practices and aims of "the history of sterilization and genetics" particularly in Scandinavian countries in the first part of the 20th century so as to develop "an understanding of the interaction between science, ideology, and politics" mainly as a "brake on the distortion and misuse of scientific results and authority." Though the United States is only occasionally mentioned, the relevance to the genetic testing which has become a central political and religious issue in the U.S. is clear. As now, in the early 1900s, the Scandinavian countries were seen by many and held themselves out as model societies. Yet as the essays go into with much social and government data, scientific studies, and related widely-accepted ideas and values as found in contemporary writings, the eugenic practices, including sterilization, these Scandinavian societies engaged in were rooted largely in racial, ethnic, or nationalistic beliefs. In some ways, as the essays suggest and occasionally state, Nazi ideology touting the goal of racial purity and supremacy was more of an extension of widespread practices and visions regarding eugenics rather than a mutation of them. The several essays present an unsettling picture of how scientific possibility can take a turn into unseemly social programming.

3 stars = Good - solid history, but boring
In the twentieth century, both in the United States and in Europe, the idea gained ground that society was in danger from "superior" people having few children and "inferior" people having many children - or in the case of mentally retarded people, their having any children at all. Several countries passed laws to allow the sterilization of people, against their wills, for the "betterment" of society. In this book, authors Gunnar Broberg, a professor in the Department of History of Science and Ideas at the University of Lund, Sweden, and Nils Roll-Hansen, a professor at the Institute for Studies in Research and Higher Education in Oslo, Norway, record the history of Scandinavia's embracing of eugenics, and the results that this produced.
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Eugenics    3. Europe - General    4. Government policy    5. History    6. History & Theory - General    7. History: World    8. Involuntary sterilization    9. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Public Policy - Social Policy    12. Scandinavia    13. Welfare state    14. Denmark    15. Ethical issues & debates    16. Finland    17. Norway    18. Sweden   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Armed Forces    3. Collaborationists    4. Europe    5. Europe - Germany    6. Germany    7. History    8. History - General History    9. Military History - World War II    10. Uniforms    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. Land forces & warfare    13. Second World War, 1939-1945    14. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (1)

An Insider's Look at Finnish-American Culture
The late Michael Karni (lifelong Mesabi Iron Ranger) compiled collections of pioneering, revealing looks at Finnish-American culture & history across the Upper Great Lakes in his "Finnish Americana" periodical published from the late 70s well into the 90s.This is the 'Best of' from that catalog. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Finnish Americans    3. Finns    4. History - U.S.    5. United States - General   

Subjects:  1. 1936-1953    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History, Military    6. History: World    7. Military - General    8. Military - World War II    9. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    10. Politics and government    11. Russo-Finnish War, 1939-1940    12. Soviet Union    13. European history: Second World War    14. Finland    15. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    16. Land forces & warfare    17. Political Science / International Security    18. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (1)

From industrial revolution to information society
The book gives an interesting overview to Nokia, but at the same time it is an interesting story from the industrial revolution to the information society. Nokia has had a long way from paper, rubber, and cable business to cellular networks and handsets. It is also a story about different corporate strategies. Nokia used to be in several industries and huge diversified product portfolio. During the last 10 years Nokia has shifted its strategy to have a clear focus in the telecom industry. And all events are also related to politics.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business/Economics    3. Cellular telephone equipment i    4. Cellular telephone equipment industry    5. Corporate & Business History - General    6. Finland    7. History    8. Industries - Media & Communications Industries    9. Management Science    10. Nokia (Firm)    11. Technology    12. Telecommunications    13. Business & Economics / Management Science    14. Business strategy    15. Hi-tech manufacturing industries    16. Multinationals    17. Postal & telecommunications industries   

Subjects:  1. History: World    2. Europe    3. European history: Second World War    4. Finland    5. Second World War, 1939-1945    6. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (2)

Amust read
I, unfortunately, found the book after our recent trip. I had to laugh at so many of the customs and especially the traits, as I am of Finnish decent. It was light hearted, and I found it to be right on the mark, especially in helping me find out why I am the way I am. Have passed the book around and everyone agrees that it's a winner!

A must have for anyone going to Finland!!!!
I'm leaving in August to be anexchange student to Finland and this book told me everything the Lonely planet guides were afraid too! This bookwas divided into nicely planned sections with a wonderful section dedicated to doing bussiness in the country.No book about Finland would be complete without the sauna chapter- and this book spares nothing. It has been by far the best preparation book I've read.The only downfall is that it is written by a Brittish woman- but she makes both Bristtish and American comparisons whenever possible. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Culture    2. Europe - Denmark    3. Europe - Scandinavia    4. Scandinavia - History    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Finland    2. History    3. History: American    4. Scandinavia    5. Scandinavia - History    6. Unassigned Title    7. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    8. Northern Europe, Scandinavia   

Reviews (1)

Sevander sheds light on unknown chapter in American history.
Mayme Sevander's book, "They Took My Father," sheds light on an almost unknown chapter in the intersecting histories of Russia, Scandinavia and America.The Autonomous Republic of Karelia, set up by the SovietUnion in the 1930s as an experiment in social engineering, was an enticingdestination for many Finnish-Americans who were, at that time, enduring theeconomic hardships of The Great Depression.Sevander's family made up justa handfull of the some 6,000 Finnish-Americans who emigrated to Karelia,bringing with them American technical expertise as well as Finnish grit anddetermination. However, as Sevander describes, life in Karelia wasfar from the "Worker's Paradise" it was slated to become. Aseries of purges and disappearances shook Karelia's Finnish-Americanpopulation.Karelia's two Finnish leaders were imprisoned and laterexecuted as Stalin began his reign of terror over the USSR.Sevander's ownfather was arrested and later revealed to have been executed (his deathcertificates, both fake and real, were not officially released until 1991),leaving the remaining members of the Sevander family in a state of grimpoverty.Striving to provide for her suffering mother and siblings,Sevander secured government work and climbed the long ladder from"Enemy of the People" (A title bestowed upon her father by theSoviet authorities) to a respected government worker, friend of futureSoviet leader Jurij Andropov, and a member of Komsomol, the SovietCommunist Youth Organization. However, Sevander's story is riddledwith hardship at every step, from her father's arrest and execution, tostints in exile in Siberia, to internment in a work camp after failingintelligence officer's training in the Red Army.Throughout her seeminglyimpossible journey, though, Sevander remains confident that communism,instituted under the right circumstances, is a feasable system and a worthygoal. Both Inspiring and saddening, Sevander's book offers a glimpseinto Soviet Karelia and relates one tale of many - one tale of the over6,000 tales of American citizens who endured unspeakable atrocities underStalin's regime. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1923-    2. 1936-1953    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Finnish Americans    6. History    7. History - General History    8. Immigrants    9. Karelia    10. Political persecution    11. Politics and government    12. Russia (Federation)    13. Russia - History - 1917 To 1991    14. Sevander, Mayme,    15. Soviet Union    16. Corgan, Oscar    17. European history: from c 1900 -    18. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    19. Sevander, Mayme   

Reviews (2)

Jews in Finland during the Holocaust
Although the topic is well-researched and reasoned, the somewhat poor translation from the original Finnish text and repetitive passages detract from this already very dry book. However, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the overall subject and kudos must go to Dr. Rautkallio for having documented this commonly ignored area of Jewish history. Read the book with high-lighter in hand and you can return to the salient parts!

a deeply moving piece of work
mr rautkallio's book the rescue of the finnish jews is an impressive body of information. it describes the angst of the finns to gain freedom from the soviets. to avoid total destruction the finns sought assistance fromnazi germany. this of course meant trouble for the small jewish population.rautkallio describes in immense detail how the jews were kept out ofhitlers reach ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Rescue    2. History: American    3. Refugees, Jewish    4. World War, 1939-1945    5. Finland    6. History    7. Jews    8. 20th century   

Reviews (1)

The only one out there...
The fact that "Alvar Aalto: A Critical Study" is one of very few texts written in English about the under-represented architect gives this book a higher rating.I don't believe that the author is a native English speaker, as I found the text to be quite rough, especially compared to the poetics of Spiro Kostof.The publisher had good reason to take this book out of print.Then again, architects can not write, so... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1898-1976    2. 20th century    3. Aalto, Alvar,    4. Architecture    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Criticism and interpretation    7. Finland    8. General    9. Individual Architect    10. Individual Architects Of The 20th Century    11. Aalto, Alvar    12. Architecture / General    13. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -    14. Individual artists   

Subjects:  1. Ethnomusicology    2. Finland    3. Folk music    4. Genres & Styles - Folk & Traditional    5. History and criticism    6. Music    7. Music and globalization    8. Music/Songbooks    9. Music / Folk & Traditional   

Reviews (1)

Jakobson captures the essense of the psyche of Finland
Jakobson, who was Finland's ambassador to the UN and to Sweden, captures Finnish culture extremely well. Beginning with a basic history of Finland, Jakobsen goes on to describe the Finnish problems during World War II with useful details. This of course, is important to know for his analysis of Finnish foreign policy during the cold war. Jakobsen offers a new view of Finland during this period, counter the popular idea of 'The Finland syndrome' which was unfortunately associated with Finland during this time.I studied in Turku during 1999 (Turun Kaupporkorkeakoulu). I wished I would have read this book before I went as it provides true insight into Finnish culture and history! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Current Affairs    3. Europe    4. Europe - Scandinavia    5. Finland    6. Foreign relations    7. History    8. History - General History    9. International Relations - General    10. Political    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Soviet Union    13. European history: from c 1900 -    14. International relations    15. Political Science / International Relations    16. Russia   

Subjects:  1. Cinema/Film: Book    2. Film & Video - General    3. Film & Video - History & Criticism    4. History    5. Motion pictures    6. Performing Arts    7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    8. Scandinavia    9. Cinema industry    10. Denmark    11. Films, cinema    12. Finland    13. Iceland    14. Northern Europe, Scandinavia    15. Norway    16. Performing Arts / Mass Media    17. Sweden   

Subjects:  1. Baltic States    2. Finland    3. Foreign relations    4. History - General History    5. Russia (pre & post Soviet Union)    6. Russification    7. Soviet Union    8. Eastern Europe    9. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    10. International relations    11. Russia   

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Finland    3. Foreign relations    4. International Relations - General    5. Political And Civil Rights    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political Science    8. Politics - Current Events    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. South Africa    12. South Africa - History    13. Third World Development    14. International relations    15. Social Science / Third World Development    16. Southern Africa    17. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. Scandinavia   

Reviews (1)

Excellent book!
A great source for understanding why the Winter War turned out to be such a disaster for the Red Army.You will have a chance to see the opinions of Regimental commanders, artillery commanders, cheifs of engineer troops, divisional commanders, front commanders, tank brigade commanders, and so on and so forth.You will see Stalin's reaction to various problems encountered int he field and his opinions and suggestions, some of which did in fact take place (like a mention that the KV's future gun should be a 75mm gun, an upgrade from the 45mm).A surprise for me was the fact that many of the recruits did not even know how to use their guns, the amount of catridges used throughout the war was way below regular usage, artillery many times had to pick up the slack.Intelligence was lacking to a degree, the Mannerheim line was underestimated by many and recon was not undertaken.Many times the same roads were used for many formations, resulting in day long traffic jams and the result being offensive operations being put off.Communications were a large problem, much of it taking place in the open with the result that Finns knew all the units they were facing as well as their commanders and positions.Many more details are disclosed, in the end an expensive buy but the accounts given will shed new light on why what happened to the Red Army took place.The potential was there, many times it just wasn't tapped into and exploited to produce the desirable results for the Red Army. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Military - World War II    7. Russo-Finnish War, 1939-1940    8. Sources    9. Battles & campaigns    10. Defence strategy, planning & research    11. European history: Second World War    12. Finland    13. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    14. History / Military / World War II    15. Second World War, 1939-1945