Historical Dictionary of Denmark

(Hardback, Third Edition)

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Denmark has a millennium-long continuous history and development from Viking times (about 800-1050 AD) to the modern welfare state. The resilience of the Danish people is evident in the artistic golden age of the early 19th century despite national bankruptcy, the agricultural revival during the final third of the 19th century. Modern Denmark leads in industrial design, furniture, engineering, pharmacy, and social development in the 20th century. Danish scientists, medical doctors, composers, musicians, choreographers, playwrights, authors, sculptors, architects, designers, painters and film directors have made significant contributions to the development of European culture. In the 21st century, Denmark combines a thriving and highly productive modern economy with extensive social care and welfare, and thus refutes the neo-conservative economists who claim that such a combination is impossible. In short, Denmark is seen by the Danes and their neighbors as a very good place to live.

This third edition of Historical Dictionary of Denmark contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1000 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Denmark.

Reviews

This is a very useful book, as there is little in English specifically dedicated to this old European country. It has over a thousand entries about important events, issues, themes and locations related to this Scandinavian country. The text has been revised and updated, and the book is almost 100 pages longer than the second edition. It is very much a biographical dictionary as well, as there are hundreds of entries on those individuals who helped shape Denmark's history. . . .Suitable for the reference collections of large public and academic libraries. * American Reference Books Annual *
For a small country of five and a half million people, Denmark has made a big impact on the world, and its history, like that of the rest of Scandinavia, is too little studied in English-speaking countries. As far as this reviewer could ascertain, Historical Dictionary ofDenmark is the only English-language title to provide a compact reference overview of Denmarks history. Thomas, in his Preface, says that his intention is to 'give English-speaking readers the means to become familiar with the main lines of Danish history and the lives and achievements of the many great Danes who have contributed to the development of their country and its culture or have made their mark on the world stage.' Historical Dictionary of Denmark unquestionably achieves this objective. This is the best one-volume general reference on Danish history in the English-language, and it belongs in all libraries where Scandinavia is a subject of study or interest. * Reference Reviews *

Author Bio

Alastair H. Thomas is emeritus professor of Nordic Studies at the University of Central Lancashire. He has written broadly on the history and politics of Denmark, Scandinavia and social democracy.