Description
Book SynopsisDenmark 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.
Trade ReviewThis 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 of Denmark is the only English-language title to provide a compact reference overview of Denmark’s 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. * s *
Table of ContentsEditor’s Foreword Editor Jon Woronoff Preface Acknowledgements Reader’s Notes Maps The Danish commonwealth Denmark Administrative Structure The Faroe Islands Greenland The Arctic Sea Southern Jutland, Slesvig and Holsten Chronology List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Introduction THE DICTIONARY Appendix 1: The Danish Monarchs Appendix 2: Prime Ministers and Cabinets, 1848-2015 Appendix 3: Party Shares of Cabinet Office Appendix 4: Party Shares of Votes, 1890-2015 Appendix 5: Referendums, 1916-2015 Appendix 6: Denmark’s Population, 1769-2000 Bibliography About the Author
