Ewan Butler (1911–1974)

A very briskly informative review of approximately the last 4,000 years of development of the northern European region known as Scandinavia: examining the evolution of human settlement in lands that have at least one border-shoreline on the Baltic Sea. In the last 2,000 years these lands gradually became identified geographically & historically as Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
There is not much analysis of key events or key people and minus an Index the book lacks the details that go to make the more substantial 'History' the scope of the topic requires.… (más)

This is an EXTREMELY short, and very basic overview of Scandinavian history. It is only about 235 pages long, but the book is small and the type is rather large. I would guess that you could easily fit the text onto 150 reasonably spaced pages.

The writing style is very dry and clipped, with short factoids, one after another. There is absolutely no analysis and very little observation. The author essentially sets out a progression of kings and regents for each Scandinavian country, largely in chronological order, focusing on the various conflicts that arose throughout the region’s history. From time to time, certain cultural figures are mentioned, most of whom I’ve never heard of. Surprisingly, one of the most famous explorers of all time, Norwegian Roald Amundson is not mentioned.

This is ultra simple, little more than a reference book for the rulers of Denmark and Sweden. Finland and Denmark are barely even mentioned. Cannot recommend.… (más)