
Transcriber's Note:
SWEDEN - INTRODUCTION
HISTORY OF SWEDEN - CHAPTER I Sweden in Prehistoric and Early Historic Times—Archæological Finds and Classical Testimony
CHAPTER II Dawn of Swedish History—Heimskringla and Ynglingatal
CHAPTER III The Viking Age—Ansgar, the Apostle of Sweden
CHAPTER IV Early Christian Era—Stenkil’s Line and Interchanging Dynasties
CHAPTER V The Mediæval State—The Folkung Dynasty
CHAPTER VI Unionism versus Patriotism—Margaret, Engelbrekt and Charles Knutsson
CHAPTER VII Unionism versus Patriotism—Uncrowned Kings of the Sture Families
CHAPTER VIII Revolution and Reformation—Gustavus Vasa
A sweeping portrait of Sweden unfolds from the very first chapter, guiding listeners across a land that stretches from the fertile plains of the south to the stark, glacier‑carved peaks of the north. The narrative maps the kingdom’s historic provinces—Gothaland, Svealand and Norrland—while also explaining its political partnership with Norway, creating one of Europe’s largest realms. Richly detailed, the introduction paints a picture of a country defined by its countless lakes, islands, and the sheer volume of water that rivals entire neighboring states.
Beyond borders, the book explores Sweden’s striking variety of landscapes: the warm‑climate orchards of Scania, the dense forests that blanket the central plateau, and the towering, snow‑capped mountains where Europe’s largest waterfalls thunder down. Listeners will discover how a surprisingly mild climate nurtures barley and rye even within the Arctic Circle, and how the midnight sun transforms the summer sky into a perpetual twilight. With vivid descriptions of wildlife, mineral riches, and the unique experience of a sun that never truly sets, the work invites you to travel Sweden’s diverse terrain from the comfort of your own ears.
Language
en
Duration
~14 hours (825K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Ann Jury, Paul Clark and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2014-01-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1867–1942
A Swedish-American writer and journalist who built his career in Minneapolis, he helped bring Scandinavian literature to English-language readers. His work ranged from history and criticism to travel writing, with a lifelong love of music and letters running through it.
View all books
by Verner von Heidenstam