
The Almost Nearly Perfect People
Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia
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Narrated by:
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Ralph Lister
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By:
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Michael Booth
Journalist Michael Booth has lived among the Scandinavians for more than 10 years, and he has grown increasingly frustrated with the rose-tinted view of this part of the world offered up by the Western media. In this timely audiobook, he leaves his adopted home of Denmark and embarks on a journey through all five of the Nordic countries to discover who these curious tribes are, the secrets of their success, and, most intriguing of all, what they think of one another.
Why are the Danes so happy, despite having the highest taxes? Do the Finns really have the best education system? Are the Icelanders as feral as they sometimes appear? How are the Norwegians spending their fantastic oil wealth? And why do all of them hate the Swedes?
In The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Michael Booth explains who the Scandinavians are, how they differ and why, and what their quirks and foibles are; and he explores why these societies have become so successful and models for the world. Along the way a more nuanced, often darker picture emerges of a region plagued by taboos, characterized by suffocating parochialism, and populated by extremists of various shades. They may very well be almost nearly perfect, but it isn't easy being Scandinavian.
©2014 Michael Booth (P)2015 TantorListeners also enjoyed...




















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The +/- of the Scandinavians
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Interesting but Meandering
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Where does The Almost Nearly Perfect People rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is one of the better audio books I've completed. Ralph Lister's performance is excellent and captures the pithy evaluations of Booth's book.Who was your favorite character and why?
Lister is best when he's giving voice to Booth's own skepticism in the form of the back and forth in the interviews with various Nordic anthropologists and scholars.Which character – as performed by Ralph Lister – was your favorite?
I'm just going to say "see above" in this one. Ugh. Great job Audible.If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Question everything: Neither Iceland nor Finland can really be considered Scandinavian, but they are considered Nordic.A witty British take on the Nordic set
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surprisingly entertaining
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okay
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good book
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Great overview
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It’s Long but Worth it
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Further, I do not find the author prejudiced, simply at times irreverent. For instance, he is oddly insistent against all constitutional monarchies. As a Yank I rather enjoy the authors own "House of Windsor" royal family and do not begrudge the various Scandinavian crowned heads.
In summary: A book well done and well read.
Delightful Treck Through The North!
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Fun listen. Well written and well read.
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