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History of Norway Kindle Edition

by John A. Yilek (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 390 ratings
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Based on exhaustive research, History of Norway is a clear, informative and entertaining description of Norway’s history from the earliest cultures of the Stone Age to today’s oil and gas economy. Along the way, there are fascinating stories of Vikings, the Sami, kings and queens, farmers and fishermen, merchants and miners, the Black Death, the Hanseatic merchants, the Reformation, independence, emigration from Norway to America, polar explorers, the Nazi invasion and the Norwegian resistance in World War II, and much more!
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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    March 19, 2015
  5. File size
    1352 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John A. Yilek teaches Norwegian history in Minnesota. His ancestors in Norway lived near the historic mining town of Røros and in the mountain valleys of Luktvatnet and Susendalen in Nordland.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00UY678SC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wasteland Press (March 19, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 19, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1352 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 390 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
390 global ratings
This history is solid but not the best that it could be
4 Stars
This history is solid but not the best that it could be
Please don't get me wrong, this book on Norway and its long past does its job. However, if you are looking to be "dazzled" or to learn about all of Scandinavia as well (meaning Sweden/Denmark/Iceland too), please look elsewhere. The author's favorite periods of Norwegian history seem to be the early medieval/ Viking period and the WW2 (Resistance/War against the Germans) period. Without a doubt, those periods of Norwegian history are monumental and show the brave character of the Norse people. But an in-depth study is lacking here. (Then again, to an extent you can't get too in-depth in a basic history book.) From another angle, you could certainly say that countries like Germany, France, or even Denmark, have far more "recorded" history than Norway, so that could be why showcasing Norwegian history is always a challenge. It's the victors that write history after all, and the Norwegians were ruled by foreigners since the 14th century. (technically not ending until the 20th)Still, if you are full or part Norwegian yourself, or just interested in Norwegian history, and you only speak English, then this book seems to be a must-have. I have tried other Scandinavian history books as well as travel books, and this is admittedly a gem in a sand dune. There really are no other comprehensive books on Norway in English. On a side note, I want to add here that Chapter Three, which chiefly deals with the medieval period in Norway is my favorite chapter by far. The whole story behind the elusive King Sverre is breathtaking and shows just how advanced the politics of Norway (compared to the rest of western Europe) was in the 12th century.
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Top reviews from the United States

Nancy B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and easy to understand and retain.
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
I fell in love with Norway last summer and decided to learn more about it before my upcoming return trip. This book gives an excellent picture of Norway’s history over the centuries and into the present day. While it is not a scholarly work, it fits my needs perfectly.
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W.K.G
4.0 out of 5 stars This history is solid but not the best that it could be
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
Please don't get me wrong, this book on Norway and its long past does its job. However, if you are looking to be "dazzled" or to learn about all of Scandinavia as well (meaning Sweden/Denmark/Iceland too), please look elsewhere. The author's favorite periods of Norwegian history seem to be the early medieval/ Viking period and the WW2 (Resistance/War against the Germans) period. Without a doubt, those periods of Norwegian history are monumental and show the brave character of the Norse people. But an in-depth study is lacking here. (Then again, to an extent you can't get too in-depth in a basic history book.) From another angle, you could certainly say that countries like Germany, France, or even Denmark, have far more "recorded" history than Norway, so that could be why showcasing Norwegian history is always a challenge. It's the victors that write history after all, and the Norwegians were ruled by foreigners since the 14th century. (technically not ending until the 20th)
Still, if you are full or part Norwegian yourself, or just interested in Norwegian history, and you only speak English, then this book seems to be a must-have. I have tried other Scandinavian history books as well as travel books, and this is admittedly a gem in a sand dune. There really are no other comprehensive books on Norway in English. On a side note, I want to add here that Chapter Three, which chiefly deals with the medieval period in Norway is my favorite chapter by far. The whole story behind the elusive King Sverre is breathtaking and shows just how advanced the politics of Norway (compared to the rest of western Europe) was in the 12th century.
Customer image
W.K.G
4.0 out of 5 stars This history is solid but not the best that it could be
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2022
Please don't get me wrong, this book on Norway and its long past does its job. However, if you are looking to be "dazzled" or to learn about all of Scandinavia as well (meaning Sweden/Denmark/Iceland too), please look elsewhere. The author's favorite periods of Norwegian history seem to be the early medieval/ Viking period and the WW2 (Resistance/War against the Germans) period. Without a doubt, those periods of Norwegian history are monumental and show the brave character of the Norse people. But an in-depth study is lacking here. (Then again, to an extent you can't get too in-depth in a basic history book.) From another angle, you could certainly say that countries like Germany, France, or even Denmark, have far more "recorded" history than Norway, so that could be why showcasing Norwegian history is always a challenge. It's the victors that write history after all, and the Norwegians were ruled by foreigners since the 14th century. (technically not ending until the 20th)
Still, if you are full or part Norwegian yourself, or just interested in Norwegian history, and you only speak English, then this book seems to be a must-have. I have tried other Scandinavian history books as well as travel books, and this is admittedly a gem in a sand dune. There really are no other comprehensive books on Norway in English. On a side note, I want to add here that Chapter Three, which chiefly deals with the medieval period in Norway is my favorite chapter by far. The whole story behind the elusive King Sverre is breathtaking and shows just how advanced the politics of Norway (compared to the rest of western Europe) was in the 12th century.
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10 people found this helpful
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djh
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Readable History Book
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
I am researching Scandinavian emigrants for a family history book. One branch of the family is from Norway. These emigrants were shaped by the history of the country their ancestors had lived in for hundreds of years. Americans are not very knowledgeable about European history and can easily become fatigued with the sheer amount of new information. However, the author did an excellent job of turning thousands of years of history into a very readable story. I was able to read this book in one day and enjoy the experience. I had done a fair amount of research online prior to reading the book so the material was not entirely new. But the author seemed very knowledgeable and also answered some questions I had not been able to find elsewhere. Having been lucky enough to live near the Twin Cities and participate at programs in the ASI (Swedish), GAI (German), DAI (Danish), and the Norway House I know that these institutions are excellent learning resources for the general public. The author teaches Norwegian history at Mindekirken which is associated with the church of the same name and the Norway House. His course and this book are from years of research and personal experience. The Minneapolis Star Tribune, in an article on this book, billed it as " the first start-to-the-present history of Norway to be produced by an American in decades." As many others have already stated it is an excellent source for anyone with Norwegian ancestors.
8 people found this helpful
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J. P. M. Smit
5.0 out of 5 stars Certainly Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2017
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a Very thrilling and realistic story, finaly at first into English about Norway, told on a clear way. An interesting history less known, for instance what happened during WW II when King Haakon VII and Crown prince Olaf had to fled for the Nazi occupiers who tried to killed them by Luftwaffe attacks, after they simply had refused any peaceful collaboration with the Nazi's, but right in time they were saved by the British Royal Navy, and the fact that Norway in contrary with the Low Countries, had never abandoned during the occupation, Amazingly, They remained into offensive against pro's and other Nazi figures, including the Heavy Water mission at Vemork! preventing a possible German atomic bomb!, till the country had been freed itself, simply after Nazi Germany had abandoned on May 9th 1945 in Berlin to the Allies, and the remained Nazi soldiers in Norway were unarmed by the British and Norwegian military.
So, Norway and their King and legal government shows us they did'nt intimidate themselves.
A right book for the historical buffs, who like to know more of what Norway really have done.
A SINCERE HINT! Special for readers in the Netherlands, who also had been suffered under the Nazi occupation, I advise reading this book. To my real opinion, many people in the Netherlands had seemed to be given a too weak picture of defense against such a form of outstanding provokings. (e.g. excisting NSB Dutch National Socialist party), and paramilitary molesters and other wouldbe pro Nazi's, who often betrayed their own country fellowmen, e.g. people with a Jewish background, mostly for getting paychecks.
6 people found this helpful
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Joseph
3.0 out of 5 stars Adequate coverage for general public
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
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I like the length of the book as it was concise, but left out significant details particularly after ww2 and the effect oil discovery had on the country. The prose is not particularly artful and their is no general thesis. It does recount the major events adequately for general understanding of Norway.
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Alan French
4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Overview
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2015
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An excellent overview of the history of Norway. Quite readable. Should one want to delve more deeply into individual topics, e.g. the Vikings, the two Olavs, relations between Norway and its Nordic neighbors, as well as Norwegian resistance during World War II, this work presents a good basis from which to proceed. The reader is also provided with an extensive bibliography and adequate index; however, a work of this scope requires more than one map (and that with little detail).
12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Paul G
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy informativo y ameno
Reviewed in Mexico on August 29, 2021
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Un libro muy informativo, se trata de un resumen de la historia de Noruega, la lectura es muy amena, dado que abarca un largo periodo histórico, no profundiza demasiado, pero tampoco deja información vaga, sin más que decir es un buen libro histórico muy bien logrado.
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SG
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2021
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This book was a gift to my husband who's family is mostly Norwegian. He's very familiar with a lot of it's history so was very surprised by what he learned from this book. It has a lot more of Norway's history presented. It was a book he found hard to put down and so read it quite quickly. He absolutely enjoyed how the information was presented including a lot of facts. It's a book he's share with family members.
Highly recommend this excellent book
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Mattia Midali
4.0 out of 5 stars Breve ma esaustiva storia Norvegia
Reviewed in Italy on November 30, 2022
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Facile lettura, storia completa del paese, adatto a tutti i tipi di lettori, troppo conciso riguardante la storia dalla fine della Seconda Guerra Mondiale ai giorni nostri.
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Fabien
5.0 out of 5 stars Super
Reviewed in France on August 21, 2021
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Les petites anecdotes pour chaque période de l'histoire sont vraiment un plus qui pousse à ne jamais s'arrêter de lire !
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Graham Cammock
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2019
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This is an awesome book. It is extremely well written and packed full of details. Although a short book, it took quite along time to read. It covers everything regarding Norwegian history in much detail, from prehistory to the 21st century. Norway has such a tremendous and rich history. This book is well worth a read!
2 people found this helpful
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