Reviews (3)

Vivat The Commonwealth!
Polish Hussars, Crafty Lithuanian Dukes, Mad Danish Kings, Gay Swedish Boy Kings, Patient and Lethal Muscovites, Prussian Electors and Lettish and Estonian Barons fill the pages of this seminal and erudite work of history. I can only echo the other reviews of this fine work of well researched, and enjoyably written history. For any and all interested in the histories of any of the nations taking part in the "Struggle for the North" you simply can't do better than this excellent study. Despite its hefty price tag (I got it for less some years ago) it IS worth it. Long Live the Commonwealth!

An erudite collection of essays.
This book is a collection of discrete essays on the theme of the Baltic or Northern wars.In the period following the end of the crusading in the Baltic region four key players emerged to contend for control of the crusader states.These were Sweden, Denmark, Russia and Poland/Lithuania. Polish Lancers, Swedish Boy-Kings, Russian Musketeers...
... what more could one possibly ask for in 400 pages?Between 1558 and 1720 the Baltic region was in an almost constant state of war.It began as a quadrangular contest for hegemony, Denmark vs. Russia vs. Sweden vs. Poland, and marked the evolution, in three of these states, of a modern military system led by an autocratic ruler.The unwillingness of fourth, Poland-Lithuania, to adapt its constitution and embrace a militarized state, led directly to its demise.Frost is quick, however, to combat the "traditional" Western history which is dismissive of Eastern military tactics and glibly attributes Russia's early setbacks and Poland's later humiliation to supposed "backwardness."As he explains, the great institutions of the East, such as the Polish cavalry, owed their existence to local conditions and geography. Nor was there any intrinsic reason why Tsarist Russia, as opposed to another political unit, should emerge victorious in the end.The one intriguing element in this drama is the rapid emergence and equally precipitous collapse of Sweden: the first mention of King Charles XII, doomed genius of the North, will quicken the pulse of even the most jaded reader.This is a great piece of scholarly writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1492-1648    2. Baltic Sea Region    3. Europe    4. Europe - General    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History, Military    9. History: World    10. Kirchholm, Battle of, Salaspils, Latvia, 1605    11. Military - General    12. Northern Seven Years' War, 1563-1570    13. Northern War, 1700-1721    14. Sweden    15. Eastern Europe    16. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    17. History / General    18. Northern Europe, Scandinavia    19. Warfare & Defence    20. c 1500 to c 1600    21. c 1600 to c 1700    22. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (2)

Emerson's 'great man'
Great men are those who inspire new greatmen into being. So Emerson understood in his seven portraitsof human greatness. The poet Shakespeare and the philosopher Plato, the skeptic Montaigneand the mystic Swedenborg,the man of the world Napoleon and the writer Goethe.
ripoff
this is one of my favorite Emerson works.It opens itself up to so much, talking about his theories of influence, precursing everything from queer theory and gender transitivity to Harold Bloom, and it is a poem, too. It's beautiful.It offers his thoughts on the most diverse materials, gets into the most detail on his Hindu readings, gets very brave in "Swedenborg." But ... for a 165-page book?Delbanco's intro is boring and useless. Don't even READ it before you read the book.It'll be like watching an educational video on yeast infections before watching a porno.The index is a kind of neat feature; it's cool to see how many men are mentioned how many times.For example, the most obvious 'omission' in the book, JESUS, is mentioned only 5 times in the book, but he lurks throughout in so many ways.I love the book, but think the edition is a huge ripoff.However, it is difficult to find all these essays in one volume without buying a "complete works" or something, and they are ALL good and work together as a complete 'book,' one essay building off the prior in subject and time, going from B.C. to the nineteenth century, from Plato to Napoleon and Goethe. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1533-1592    2. 1688-1772    3. Biography    4. Essays    5. General    6. History    7. History: World    8. Literature - Classics / Criticism    9. Montaigne, Michel de,    10. Plato    11. Swedenborg, Emanuel,    12. History / General    13. Other prose: 19th century   

Reviews (1)

Hej Hej
Overall, this is a decent book.Gives a good basic overview of American & Swedish history, along with some good comparisons.If your new to Swedish history/politics &/or American history/politics, & want to learn more, then this would be a great starter book.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. History & Theory - General    3. Political History    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. United States - General   

Reviews (2)

Everything you ever wanted to know about Lucia!
Who was the maiden with candles in her hair?This interesting book traces her history, the legends, and the present Lucia Day's tie to pagan folklore, finally taking you through to modern traditions.You'll also find tips, recipes, and songs for celebrating your own Lucia Day on December 13, a simple but charming opener to the Christmas season.This book is quite suitable to read-aloud to the whole family.

highly informative book on one of Sweden's greatest holidays
this book is absolutely amazing. it gives in detail and easy to follow instructions the how to's of the Saint Lucia celebration in Sweden. i especially like hearing about the origin of the Saint and why Sweden has honored her for so long. another bonus of this incredible book is the recipe's at the end. it is a sweet surprise indeed! the author gives step by step instructions on how to prepare your own Lucia celebration, and tips to help it be fun and beautiful. and for those of us with swedish heritage it is especially nice to find Lucia songs in english AND swedish. all in all a wonderful read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History: World   

Reviews (1)

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.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Sweden    6. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    7. History / Scandinavia   

Reviews (1)

Happiness Was Making It To Sweden
This fine book uncovers a piece of little-known history of World War Two. During the war in Europe, Sweden remained neutral, and it was an advantage for both sides, since it provided a contact point for diplomats, spies, and all manner of shadowy people. It also was a lifesaver for American, British, and German flyers when their planes were wrecked by enemy action. If you could make it to Sweden, you were interned for the duration of hostilities. You were not a prisoner. You were more like a guest who cannot leave.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military - World War II    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Second World War, 1939-1945    8. Warfare & Defence    9. World history: Second World War    10. History / Military / World War II   

Subjects:  1. 1895-1948    2. Bernadotte, Folke,    3. Biography    4. Criminal Investigation    5. Diplomats    6. Germany    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Holocaust    10. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    11. Jewish Holocaust    12. Jews    13. Rescue    14. Sweden    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Bernadotte, Folke   

Reviews (10)

Good, but missing something
(Actually, this is a 4.5 star rating.) :( a book for young ppl read by a young person
I personally did not like this book.It was supposed to be a historical fiction but instead was mostly fiction and fantasy.It wasnt realalistic and put to much weight on the non important things and shruged off the important things.The author had the main character walking around in a daze and had her made unreal desicions and the book barley had deatail.It was like the author streched out the non important stuff and tried to squeeze the important stuff in a few pages.She had the main character liking 5 guys and thinking she was in love but gave it up in a minute for somethingnot important to her.she befriends someone who lies to her and helped destory her family in a few sentences and had her suddenly decide to forgive without nothing to help nut a sentence the first mention of it.Dont waste you time with this book i'v read many historical fictions and this not a good one the author reapeats everything in this book over and over again.

A fascinating story.What happens next?
I just finished reading this book and enjoyed, though I did skim some parts that moved a little slowly.Overall, it is an excellent, intimate portrait of a young womans thoughts and concerns after leaving a concentration camp in WWII.It has issues universal to all-- growing up, loyalty yet resentment of an older siblings care, letting go, beginning again, love vs attraction.It also has some thoughts about being a surviver and a Jew and what it would mean to leave her Jewish life behind now that she survived the Nazis... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. History - Holocaust    6. Holocaust survivors    7. Jews    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Sweden    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / Judaism   

Subjects:  1. History & Theory - General    2. Political Ideologies - Democracy    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. EU & European institutions    7. Political Science / Democracy    8. Political structures: democracy    9. Sweden   

Reviews (1)

people
this is a very instering thing.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1688-1772    2. Christianity - History - General    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Individual Theologians And Their Works (General)    5. Mysticism    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Swedenborg, Emanuel,    9. Religion & Beliefs    10. Swedenborg, Emanuel   

Reviews (1)

Wonderfully inspirational & unplifting
Medieval Women Mystics: Gertrude the Great, Angela of Foligno, Birgitta of Sweden, Julian of Norwich: Selcted Spiritual WritingsRead more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - History - General    4. History    5. History of doctrines    6. Middle Ages, 600-1500    7. Mysticism    8. New Age    9. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    10. Spiritual life    11. Spirituality - General    12. Spirituality - Women's    13. Women mystics    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Religion / Spirituality   

Reviews (2)

Theory and history in a small, neat package
The sarcastic review of this book posted by "a reader" in 1999 is unfair. It is a well-written integration of theory and historical case study, the basic argument being that identity precedes interest (a state must know what it is before knowing what it wants). The illustrative case study shows that Sweden entered the 30 Years War for identity-centered rather than interest-centered reasons. Readers who wish to can skip some of the detailed historical analysis without losing the book's insights. The basic theoretical argument is now familiar in the literature, but this book does add more than a couple of fresh angles to it.

Super, Smashing, Great, it really takes the Bully tankard.
This book really hits home the powerful decision by some bloke to enter the thirty year war.It examines in infinite details the decision that this man may have taken when deciding to commit himself to the war.It isreally great to consider that there are still people out there who not onlyfind the time to write such interesting books but also believe others maywant to read them.I must thank Erik Ringmar for writing the perfect bookon how to solve insomnia, with out this book I feel sleep may be a problem,but not now I own a copy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. History - General History    3. Military - Other    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    8. Social Science / Sociology / General    9. Sweden    10. Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648    11. War & defence operations    12. c 1600 to c 1700   

Subjects:  1. European - Scandinavian    2. History and criticism    3. Literary Criticism    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Swedish Literature    6. Literary studies: general    7. Sweden    8. Swedish   

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. History - General History    3. Immigrants    4. Minorities    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - General    8. Sweden    9. History / Europe / General   

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. History    2. Military    3. Military - General    4. Military - Strategy    5. Battles & campaigns    6. European history: First World War    7. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    8. Regiments    9. Second World War, 1939-1945    10. Sweden    11. True stories: Second World War   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Scandinavia    2. General    3. History - General History   

Subjects:  1. History / United States / General   

Subjects:  1. 1918-    2. Bergman, Ingmar,    3. Cinema/Film: Book    4. Criticism and interpretation    5. Film & Video - Direction & Production    6. History - General    7. Individual Directors And Producers    8. Performing Arts    9. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    10. Sex role in motion pictures    11. Architecture    12. Art / History / General    13. Bergman, Ingmar    14. Feminism    15. Film theory & criticism    16. Individual film directors, film-makers    17. Sweden   

Subjects:  1. Aviation - History    2. Transportation    3. Aerospace & aviation technology    4. Aircraft: general interest    5. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    6. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    7. Second World War, 1939-1945    8. Sweden