The History of Norway

Norway's history is one of the most remarkable stories in Europe. A small, rugged country on the edge of the Arctic managed to produce some of the most feared warriors the world has ever seen, build a democratic tradition centuries ahead of its time, and emerge as one of the wealthiest nations on Earth. This book traces that entire arc, from the first Viking longships to modern day Oslo. The narrative follows Norway through the age of the sagas, the long centuries of Danish and Swedish rule, the dramatic push for independence in 1905, and the harrowing years of Nazi occupation during World War II. The real lives of the Vikings, trade, exploration, and brutal raids across Europe. How the Black Death wiped out over half of Norway's population and reshaped its society. The 400 year union with Denmark and the fight to reclaim Norwegian identity. Norway's resistance movement during World War II and the sabotage of the Nazi heavy water program. The discovery of North Sea oil and Norway's rise as a global economic power. Geography, culture, and sheer determination shaped a people who refused to be forgotten.