Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24495 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 92 pages

Customer Reviews

Absolutely hilarious!
I picked up this book because I will be going to Sweden this summer and wanted to learn more about the Swedes' foibles and traits. Apart from knowing some Swedes on a business level, I read several books dealing with Swedish history, mentality, and culture. This one adds to putting more pieces together and confirms the information gathered from the other books and my own experiences so far. It is ever so enjoyable to read since it is packed with humour and irony (in fact, the sense of humour appeared to be so British, I first thought Mr Berlin is a Brit). I couldn't put it aside although I had to at times simply because it had me in stitches. But rest assured, this book won't put you off Sweden or the Swedes. The underlying fondness the author has for his native country is still discernible. Can't wait to get my hands on the Xenophobe's guide to the Germans...

Vad Bra !
Berlin, of Swedish birth, left his folkhem and has resided in numerous "chaotic" countries (read: anywhere outside of Sweden's harmonious, beautiful borders)

This affords him the ability to look at his country of birth in a manner which only foreigners who live here can appreciate. His hilarious comments, observations and explanations will certainly leave Swedes baffled and, without doubt, full of justifications, statistics and government financed studies in their attempts to prove him wrong about the anal nature of so much here.

Share this one with your other expat/foreign resident friends, but be sure to keep it well away from Swedes. Liberalism don't extend that far! You should note however, that traces of Berlin's Nationality still prevail, as he is indeed fair about so much that is typically good of this marvellous country.

Suggested too: P.J. O'Rourke's 'Eat The Rich'

Wow Swedes are like the Brits
I bought the book for working out in Sweden as part of my University course this year. When asked by my wonderful Swedish hosts how I found Swedes and Sweden I couldn't help thinking and feeling that Sweden and the UK are an exact mirror image of one another in terms of culture, religion and many other things.
So a great help to me in discovering wonderful Sweden where I hope to eventually live.