Scan barcode
Reviews
The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth
thisisthelion's review against another edition
4.0
Review in English below.
Reseña en español:
Tendemos a ver los escandinavos como un todo, como si fueran todos iguales. Para empezar, técnicamente los finlandeses y los islandeses no son escandinavos porque el termino se refiere a los habitantes de las tierras vikingas originales (Dinamarca, Suecia y Noruega), para hablar de los cinco habría que hablar de nórdicos. Menudo lio.
Este libro es una muy buena introducción a este grupo de países nórdicos, el autor mezcla sus propias experiencias (viviendo en Dinamarca y visitando los otros países) con estudios y conversaciones diversas con gente local y expertos varios. La lectura es muy amena, ya que se trata de capítulos no muy densos, aderezados con el típico humor inglés de tomárselo todo muy poco en serio. Y además sirve para ver en realidad con son esos países, en vez de esa idea que tenemos en parte de Europa de que son unos países excepcionales y estupendos. Y como siempre, hay de todo y no es oro todo lo que reluce.
Como libro de divulgación general en un gran candidato para aquellos que queremos tener una idea básica de cada país nórdico. Sin duda, me deja con ganas de leer mas a fondo sobre ciertos temas, así que buscaré algún libro más especializado.
Review in English:
We tend to look at the Scandinavian people as a whole when in reality, the Finnish and Icelandic can't really be considered Scandinavian since the term refers to the original Viking lands. We should refer to them as Nordic.
So this book is a great introduction to this group of Nordic countries: Michael Booth shares his own personal experiences (he lives in Denmark and has travelled to the other countries) along with several studies and conversations with fields experts and so on. The book is very easy to read, chapters aren't dense at all and Booth add his British humor along the way. It's a way for learn the reality of these countries instead of believing the same old clichés about them being the bees knees.
I think this is a great book to get a general idea of each of the Nordic countries and if you want to, continue looking for more detailed information somewhere else. I certainly will.
Reseña en español:
Tendemos a ver los escandinavos como un todo, como si fueran todos iguales. Para empezar, técnicamente los finlandeses y los islandeses no son escandinavos porque el termino se refiere a los habitantes de las tierras vikingas originales (Dinamarca, Suecia y Noruega), para hablar de los cinco habría que hablar de nórdicos. Menudo lio.
Este libro es una muy buena introducción a este grupo de países nórdicos, el autor mezcla sus propias experiencias (viviendo en Dinamarca y visitando los otros países) con estudios y conversaciones diversas con gente local y expertos varios. La lectura es muy amena, ya que se trata de capítulos no muy densos, aderezados con el típico humor inglés de tomárselo todo muy poco en serio. Y además sirve para ver en realidad con son esos países, en vez de esa idea que tenemos en parte de Europa de que son unos países excepcionales y estupendos. Y como siempre, hay de todo y no es oro todo lo que reluce.
Como libro de divulgación general en un gran candidato para aquellos que queremos tener una idea básica de cada país nórdico. Sin duda, me deja con ganas de leer mas a fondo sobre ciertos temas, así que buscaré algún libro más especializado.
Review in English:
We tend to look at the Scandinavian people as a whole when in reality, the Finnish and Icelandic can't really be considered Scandinavian since the term refers to the original Viking lands. We should refer to them as Nordic.
So this book is a great introduction to this group of Nordic countries: Michael Booth shares his own personal experiences (he lives in Denmark and has travelled to the other countries) along with several studies and conversations with fields experts and so on. The book is very easy to read, chapters aren't dense at all and Booth add his British humor along the way. It's a way for learn the reality of these countries instead of believing the same old clichés about them being the bees knees.
I think this is a great book to get a general idea of each of the Nordic countries and if you want to, continue looking for more detailed information somewhere else. I certainly will.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
The book is a perfect blend of travelogue, history, and anthropology, for an America (or Brit) who wants to uncover more about their heritage, or for one wanting a fuller picture of the Nordic cultures.
This was just what I needed to move past the stereotypes and romanticized portrayals of overly-idealized nations who have their own problems and major shortcomings: culturally, politically, and economically.
Booth heaps high praise one moment and biting criticism the next. He is witty, charming, and informative. He lacks some economic and political expertise in parts but makes up for it in other parts for being a transplant living among the Nordic peoples for several years (his wife is Danish). He is authoritative but accessible.
This was just what I needed to move past the stereotypes and romanticized portrayals of overly-idealized nations who have their own problems and major shortcomings: culturally, politically, and economically.
Booth heaps high praise one moment and biting criticism the next. He is witty, charming, and informative. He lacks some economic and political expertise in parts but makes up for it in other parts for being a transplant living among the Nordic peoples for several years (his wife is Danish). He is authoritative but accessible.
storeytale's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
3.5
Interesting insights into the Scandinavian countries and their recent histories.
csgiansante's review against another edition
3.0
A summary from this book:
Denmark - Bitter and Drunk
Iceland - Drunk and Broke
Norway - Rich and Racist
Finland - Saunas and Drunk
Sweden - Reserved and Bitter
Could have used a bit more of a nuanced take.
Denmark - Bitter and Drunk
Iceland - Drunk and Broke
Norway - Rich and Racist
Finland - Saunas and Drunk
Sweden - Reserved and Bitter
Could have used a bit more of a nuanced take.
elsower's review against another edition
funny
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
Interesting, although a bit outdated having been published in 2015.
Gives and interesting oversight to the region with British humour.
Gives and interesting oversight to the region with British humour.
spav's review against another edition
3.0
Sharp at times, hilarious throughout the book, it gives the view of a Brit living in Denmark about the Nordic countries, their economies, cultures and glitches.
As it usually happens, this book is just a (rather educated) view on the Nordic societies. It is compound by theories supported by numerous statistics and one-on-one interviews with specialists on the matter without any pretentious animosity.
As it usually happens, this book is just a (rather educated) view on the Nordic societies. It is compound by theories supported by numerous statistics and one-on-one interviews with specialists on the matter without any pretentious animosity.