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History of Sweden: A Captivating Guide to Swedish History, Starting from Ancient Times through the Viking Age and Swedish Empire to the Present
Did you know that Viking-age Swedes were the founding dynasty of what eventually became Russia?
In contrast to their Danish and Norwegian cousins, Swedish Vikings traveled east rather than west in search of riches, land, and power. The extensive river systems of Russia provided economic and military “super-highways” to the adventurers from the north, who journeyed down them all the way to the Black Sea and Constantinople in search of fame and riches.
The rise in TV shows and movies has renewed the people’s interest in Vikings, but the Swedish Vikings have been notably absent from these accounts. In Captivating History’s History of Sweden, you will learn more about these Swedish adventurers, along with other parts of Sweden’s fascinating history.
In this book, you will
Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about the history of Sweden!
In contrast to their Danish and Norwegian cousins, Swedish Vikings traveled east rather than west in search of riches, land, and power. The extensive river systems of Russia provided economic and military “super-highways” to the adventurers from the north, who journeyed down them all the way to the Black Sea and Constantinople in search of fame and riches.
The rise in TV shows and movies has renewed the people’s interest in Vikings, but the Swedish Vikings have been notably absent from these accounts. In Captivating History’s History of Sweden, you will learn more about these Swedish adventurers, along with other parts of Sweden’s fascinating history.
In this book, you will
Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about the history of Sweden!
120 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 8, 2023
It is a very short summary of the history of Swedish people but still very useful I must say. I enjoyed and had fun reading this book. It is a good start if you are a beginner at history like me and it is up to you if you want to read more about a specific era of the history of the Swedish people.
June 22, 2023
All I knew about the history of Sweden was: Vikings, Russia, Gustov Adolphus, Charles invades Russia, Ikea. This small book fills in the rest of the gaps but in very cliff notes fashion. This however is perfect for what I was looking for a broad overview that allows you to find parts that interest you so you can look into that part further.
Very good overview of Sweden's history. Recommended.
Very good overview of Sweden's history. Recommended.
September 10, 2025
Before reading this book, I knew very little about Sweden, which would easily pass through the eye of a needle. However, this is a fascinating story of a unique group of people. I learned that Sweden, along with Switzerland, is a neutral country (I thought Switzerland was the only neutral country). This is a well-researched and well-written overview of a dynamic country and culture. This book is a concise and informative history of Sweden, featuring more photos and drawings than Captivating History typically includes in its offerings.
With limited arable land, Sweden utilized trade to enhance its country's wealth. The author notes that the Swedish Vikings were more inclined to settle in distant lands rather than engage in pillaging, unlike the Danes and Norse Vikings. The Swedish Vikings even colonized parts of Russia and Ukraine. This is an ancient culture, and there were many struggles to establish a nation.
The author did a great job explaining the concept of 'ex-communication.' Most people don't fully understand the idea. It was a severe penalty used cautiously due to its significant ramifications. Due to Sweden's close ties with Germany, it was drawn into the Protestant Reformation and experienced disputes over severing the Catholic Church's connections to the government. The comparison of King Henry VIII and Gustav Vasa, the Father of Sweden, demonstrated the depth of the author's knowledge.
This is one of the best of the Captivating Histories I've read. The author kept my attention throughout the story. Bravo!
**
Since I knew virtually nothing about Sweden before reading this book, I was amazed. I had no idea about Sweden's neutrality policy or about the fascinating Queen Christina of Sweden. Although the book starts during the prehistoric period, the author covers the Viking Age, Christianity in Sweden, and notable monarchs.
Queen Christina was a polyglot who exhibited an unconventional lifestyle and often wore masculine clothing. A book could have been written about her alone. She was ahead of her time. She converted to Catholicism and nearly bankrupted the country with her lavish spending. Then, she abdicated and left the country.
Later, the book explains the critical Swedes Alfred Nobel and Raoul Wallenberg. This is a quick overview, but it is meaty and easy to understand.
With limited arable land, Sweden utilized trade to enhance its country's wealth. The author notes that the Swedish Vikings were more inclined to settle in distant lands rather than engage in pillaging, unlike the Danes and Norse Vikings. The Swedish Vikings even colonized parts of Russia and Ukraine. This is an ancient culture, and there were many struggles to establish a nation.
The author did a great job explaining the concept of 'ex-communication.' Most people don't fully understand the idea. It was a severe penalty used cautiously due to its significant ramifications. Due to Sweden's close ties with Germany, it was drawn into the Protestant Reformation and experienced disputes over severing the Catholic Church's connections to the government. The comparison of King Henry VIII and Gustav Vasa, the Father of Sweden, demonstrated the depth of the author's knowledge.
This is one of the best of the Captivating Histories I've read. The author kept my attention throughout the story. Bravo!
**
Since I knew virtually nothing about Sweden before reading this book, I was amazed. I had no idea about Sweden's neutrality policy or about the fascinating Queen Christina of Sweden. Although the book starts during the prehistoric period, the author covers the Viking Age, Christianity in Sweden, and notable monarchs.
Queen Christina was a polyglot who exhibited an unconventional lifestyle and often wore masculine clothing. A book could have been written about her alone. She was ahead of her time. She converted to Catholicism and nearly bankrupted the country with her lavish spending. Then, she abdicated and left the country.
Later, the book explains the critical Swedes Alfred Nobel and Raoul Wallenberg. This is a quick overview, but it is meaty and easy to understand.
June 8, 2024
This year I've read several European history books in preparations for my travels this summer. Finding a compact history on Sweden is a bit more difficult then, say, France or Spain, but I landed on this book in the "Captivating History" line. All things considered the book will give you a general idea of the trajectory of Sweden's history, which was ultimately my goal. However, the book certainly has some major flaws that will likely have you wincing along the way.
The book starts off strong, with a proper introduction to Sweden, an interesting analysis of prehistory, and, though short, a well-pieced chapter on the Vikings. From here, though, the organization and writing starts to unravel. The style of the writing suspiciously shifts chapter to chapter as we enter the second millenia, which makes me suspicious that multiple authors were writing and they skimped on an editor. The book falls into the much dreaded list trap - this king's wars, that king's wars, this king's wars, that king's wars - instead of organizing chapters by themes, epochs, and/or theses, which is usually how stronger general history books are organized, and is certainly more interesting to read. By the end of the book both the writer and reader lost steam.
Anyways, if you want a history of Sweden under 250 pages, there aren't too many books out there, so this will do.
The book starts off strong, with a proper introduction to Sweden, an interesting analysis of prehistory, and, though short, a well-pieced chapter on the Vikings. From here, though, the organization and writing starts to unravel. The style of the writing suspiciously shifts chapter to chapter as we enter the second millenia, which makes me suspicious that multiple authors were writing and they skimped on an editor. The book falls into the much dreaded list trap - this king's wars, that king's wars, this king's wars, that king's wars - instead of organizing chapters by themes, epochs, and/or theses, which is usually how stronger general history books are organized, and is certainly more interesting to read. By the end of the book both the writer and reader lost steam.
Anyways, if you want a history of Sweden under 250 pages, there aren't too many books out there, so this will do.
April 23, 2022
A really useful volume. I came to this through an interest in textiles in the Viking era and it provided me with the overview I very much needed of history in a geographic area largely outside my previous studies. It is no easy task to tell succinctly the story of a country through millennia. Here it works, maintaining threads that connect while identifying innovations that impact.
Just what I needed.
Just what I needed.
April 23, 2022
Another great book by Captivating History. From Swedish Vikings to multiple royal dynasties and an enormous empire, Sweden has at times been a power to be reckoned with. This book is a three hour read that is both succinct and informative, especially for readers (like myself) that are ignorant of this awesome country. It is not meant to be comprehensive, rather to give a broad overview of the country and history. There are a number of great references at the end for further study.
April 29, 2025
A three to four hour high level overview of Swedish history. This is a great way to get an idea of the majory events of in Swedish history, how they relate to other countries and events in the region.
May 9, 2026
Not a good book, I learned some stuff but begrudgingly. My mums had good intentions with the gift ofc but I got more out the Swedish trivia facts. I question whether books under a hundred pages should even make the good reads, I plan to indulge on sverige history more in Stockholm’s museer
December 14, 2022
Very interesting book that summons up everything you need to know :) a perfect book for just the basics. Perfect for new comers to Sweden to listen to and learn about your new country :)
June 29, 2023
El próximo mes voy a Suecia a conocer a la familia de mi pareja y quería tener puntos de conversación, básicamente.
July 12, 2023
Fine little survey of Swedish history. Would have loved something more in depth, but this was the most accessible through scribd on audio. It was a nice addition to my trip to Stockholm.
June 14, 2025
Very insightful, although the narrator's Swedish pronunciation made me cringe (can't imagine how a native speaker would react)!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews