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A History of Denmark
Hardback history book.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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127 people want to read
About the author
Palle Lauring
111 books1 followerDanish historian
Palle Lauring (1909-1996) var en dansk forfatter og historieformidler, der skrev dusinvis af bøger om dansk og europæisk historie. Palle Lauring er blevet tildelt adskillige legater og hædret med prestigiøse priser. I 1960 modtog han De Gyldne Laurbær for Historiske portrætter.
Palle Lauring (1909-1996) var en dansk forfatter og historieformidler, der skrev dusinvis af bøger om dansk og europæisk historie. Palle Lauring er blevet tildelt adskillige legater og hædret med prestigiøse priser. I 1960 modtog han De Gyldne Laurbær for Historiske portrætter.
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March 15, 2023From the opening page, Danish author Palle Lauring strikes a tone of playful defensiveness. In his experience, British people--and, by extension, English-speakers generally--know next to nothing about Denmark. Yet the two countries are near neighbors, he reminds us, located right across the North Sea from each other. And Britain and Denmark have closely intertwined histories, going back many centuries.
Modern Danes, by contrast, are familiar almost to the point of obsession with Britain and the English-speaking world, according to Lauring. They follow its politics. They listen to its music. They consume its popular culture. They read its literature, often in English, which most Danes speak.
The imbalance wounds Lauring's ethnic pride. It inspired him to write this book, to convince English speakers that Denmark is as worthy of their attention as the English-speaking countries are of the Dane's. Lauring reaches back to the Dark Ages to remind us that the relationship between Britain and Denmark was once inverted. Denmark, once upon a time, reigned supreme in the North Sea. Denmark, back then, exerted political, economic, and cultural influence on Britain, rather than the reverse. Danish warlords with splendid names like Sweyn Forkbeard and Canute the Great even invaded, conquered, and ruled Britain, a boast that even the most exalted British monarch can't make vis-à-vis Denmark.
Britain might have gone on to colonize much of the world. But Denmark colonized the colonizer.
I enjoyed History of Denmark. It would have persuaded me, if I'd needed persuading. But I didn't. I already knew Denmark was worthy of my interest and attention before I picked up this book.
But for most English speakers, Lauring's efforts were probably too little and too late. My own travels in Scandinavia (2013) left an impression that an English-speaker could relocate to Denmark and get along just fine without bothering to learn a word of Danish.
Languages, like species, go extinct all the time. It doesn't seem improbable that over the next century Danish will vanish. The hyperconnectivity of the contemporary world will only accelerate the process. Denmark, I fear, will be absorbed into the Anglosphere.
Perhaps it is the long-delayed English revenge for all those Viking raids.
Modern Danes, by contrast, are familiar almost to the point of obsession with Britain and the English-speaking world, according to Lauring. They follow its politics. They listen to its music. They consume its popular culture. They read its literature, often in English, which most Danes speak.
The imbalance wounds Lauring's ethnic pride. It inspired him to write this book, to convince English speakers that Denmark is as worthy of their attention as the English-speaking countries are of the Dane's. Lauring reaches back to the Dark Ages to remind us that the relationship between Britain and Denmark was once inverted. Denmark, once upon a time, reigned supreme in the North Sea. Denmark, back then, exerted political, economic, and cultural influence on Britain, rather than the reverse. Danish warlords with splendid names like Sweyn Forkbeard and Canute the Great even invaded, conquered, and ruled Britain, a boast that even the most exalted British monarch can't make vis-à-vis Denmark.
Britain might have gone on to colonize much of the world. But Denmark colonized the colonizer.
I enjoyed History of Denmark. It would have persuaded me, if I'd needed persuading. But I didn't. I already knew Denmark was worthy of my interest and attention before I picked up this book.
But for most English speakers, Lauring's efforts were probably too little and too late. My own travels in Scandinavia (2013) left an impression that an English-speaker could relocate to Denmark and get along just fine without bothering to learn a word of Danish.
Languages, like species, go extinct all the time. It doesn't seem improbable that over the next century Danish will vanish. The hyperconnectivity of the contemporary world will only accelerate the process. Denmark, I fear, will be absorbed into the Anglosphere.
Perhaps it is the long-delayed English revenge for all those Viking raids.
October 20, 2023
Father married three times, his third wife being Danish. Although I've read a number of books about Norway, Sweden and Viking and Nazi-era Scandinavia, I'd never read a book specifically about the history of Denmark until picking up this broad survey.
Beginning with prehistory, Lauring quickly covers centuries, his greatest focus being on Denmark during the German occupation in World War Two. Covering so much in less than 300 pages means little space for story telling and, so, the text is rather dry. Still, it provides a scaffolding for deeper studies.
Beginning with prehistory, Lauring quickly covers centuries, his greatest focus being on Denmark during the German occupation in World War Two. Covering so much in less than 300 pages means little space for story telling and, so, the text is rather dry. Still, it provides a scaffolding for deeper studies.
January 7, 2024
Throwing in a short review of A History of Denmark, which doesn't even get a picture it's so random and weird. Come on Goodreads! We're supposed to be inclusive here. I got this when visiting Caroline in Copenhagen when trying to learn literally anything about Danish history - scary how little I knew. And though I haven't read all of it it's truly a spectacular history book and deserves praise.
First of all, I just have to take note of the cuteness of the venture of going to get this book. Dad and I went out in the pouring rain during one of our designated 'down times' built into the trip and with umbrellas and slippery cobblestones we tried to find a bookstore in English. Turns out those are very rare in Copenhagen! Once we found one, we ogled all the pretty books on Denmark and were on the verge of getting one with a nice and tasteful cover when we asked the guy there. He said Oh no, you MUST get the Palle Lauring (said passionately like - pie-yay low-ring). And let me tell you the cover of this book was a real eye sore. Like REALLY bad. As someone who unfortunately bases a lot on the presentation of a book, I almost bought the other one. This one had a picture of a large, oafish, slightly cartoonish man of the 1500s with one eye bandaged and one arm pointing up in the air in triumph over some random thing. Like, he looked dumb! But the guy there was so sure this was the one that we committed and Dad got it for me as an early bday present, which made me cheery!
So I joyfully started reading it that night, and oh wow, it's a pleasure. Each era is only a few pages long and it goes through literally every single chunk of time since the finding of the very first Neanderthal remains in Scandinavia. And the best part is that there are these wonderful little drawings on each page that kind of look like a child drew them, but with great skill. It just brings such a lightness to history to have a human little impression of that era included in the more formal telling.
Overall, I really enjoyed moving through this book and will be consulting it with each visit to Denmark. But I will say, there was a point when I was reading rather animatedly outloud to Mom on the train - a passage I thought she would really appreciate I might add - and she fell asleep!! Goddarn it! So it may be that I am the only one who likes this type of book. So. There's that. But for anyone wanting to learn about Denmark this book will really help to shed light on how the culture formed into what it is today. Swashbuckling vikings and rotten Neanderthals included! It's grand!
First of all, I just have to take note of the cuteness of the venture of going to get this book. Dad and I went out in the pouring rain during one of our designated 'down times' built into the trip and with umbrellas and slippery cobblestones we tried to find a bookstore in English. Turns out those are very rare in Copenhagen! Once we found one, we ogled all the pretty books on Denmark and were on the verge of getting one with a nice and tasteful cover when we asked the guy there. He said Oh no, you MUST get the Palle Lauring (said passionately like - pie-yay low-ring). And let me tell you the cover of this book was a real eye sore. Like REALLY bad. As someone who unfortunately bases a lot on the presentation of a book, I almost bought the other one. This one had a picture of a large, oafish, slightly cartoonish man of the 1500s with one eye bandaged and one arm pointing up in the air in triumph over some random thing. Like, he looked dumb! But the guy there was so sure this was the one that we committed and Dad got it for me as an early bday present, which made me cheery!
So I joyfully started reading it that night, and oh wow, it's a pleasure. Each era is only a few pages long and it goes through literally every single chunk of time since the finding of the very first Neanderthal remains in Scandinavia. And the best part is that there are these wonderful little drawings on each page that kind of look like a child drew them, but with great skill. It just brings such a lightness to history to have a human little impression of that era included in the more formal telling.
Overall, I really enjoyed moving through this book and will be consulting it with each visit to Denmark. But I will say, there was a point when I was reading rather animatedly outloud to Mom on the train - a passage I thought she would really appreciate I might add - and she fell asleep!! Goddarn it! So it may be that I am the only one who likes this type of book. So. There's that. But for anyone wanting to learn about Denmark this book will really help to shed light on how the culture formed into what it is today. Swashbuckling vikings and rotten Neanderthals included! It's grand!
November 25, 2019
Northern Europe is a region often overlooked in sweeping examinations of world history. This is the case for many obvious reasons: its geographical isolation has kept it from being at the forefront of many worldwide conflicts, and the combined population of the Scandinavian nations is less than the U.S. state of California. Its seeming absence from center stage when it comes to many of the world’s dramas does not, however, mean that the counties which comprise it do not have harrowing stories and fascinating histories of their own. The retelling of these tales is a task best done by those with the most intimate knowledge of Scandinavia's history, and A History of the Kingdom of Denmark leaves little doubt that the author qualifies as possessing this.
Palle Lauring’s book gifts readers with a well-balanced recounting of the Danish people’s history. Its initial chapter reaches back to the Ice Age (when travel between the present day area of Denmark and the three more northerly Scandivanian nations was a possibility due to the absence of higher sea levels) and provides details of the hunter-gatherers and the spread of Bronze Age culture to Denmark in the millennium before Christ. Descriptions and photos of the primitive tools and weapons from early Scandinavian societies draw readers into the book's orbit from the start.
Denmark developed along a different path than much of mainland Europe: though too far north to receive embrace from the Roman Empire’s tentacles, much evidence still remains of the country’s influence by Roman culture by way of trade.
The story of the Vikings is recounted in Chapter Two. As engrossing as this brutal era always is to read about, it is a credit to A History of the Kingdom of Denmark (which was translated into English from the original Danish by David Hohnen) that it arguably is not even the book’s most engrossing segment.
Possibly stemming from the word vik or vig from their nickname as “The men from the fjord”, these Scandinavian raiders receive ample focus in the narrative. The establishment of independent Viking settlements in England, which became a Viking kingdom known as “Danelagh,” was an interesting piece of information to discover, showing how the Vikings (as they also were in Greenland) were not merely feared raiders, but settlers as well. In fact, the Viking age is said to have as its unofficial genesis an attack on Lindisfarne in northeast England on June 8, 793. It took the valiant efforts of Alfred the Great to ensure the English finally pushed back against the pesky raiders from Norway and Denmark.
That a portion of Ireland and the Normandy region of France was also ceded to the Vikings demonstrated their propensity for conquering. The early Danish king Harald Bluetooth-who was credited with introducing Christianity to the hitherto-perceived-as-heathen Denmark-became concerned at the fact that large swaths of his nation remained defenseless while the Vikings were out doing their thing. This early king had an idea of reigning in Denmark’s penchant for sending out warriors to inflict pillage on the coasts of other European nations. But Bluetooth’s death, and the ascension to the throne of his equally impressively named son (Swedyn Forkbeard) to the throne, ensured the Viking age lasted slightly longer. English leader Ethel the Unready was forced by Forkbeard into handing over tribute payments, and under his watch London was even captured.
Forkbeard’s slightly less vividly named son, Canute the Great, would end up causing grumbling from his Danish subjects over the fact the he spent so much time manning things in England that he was rarely ever back home in Denmark. The Viking age would officially expire soon after Canute's time on the throne.
The book moves on to give a detailed accounting of the development of the Danish monarchy, providing readers with a look at the reigns of Valdemar I (aka Valdemar the Great) and Canute VI, times during which agriculture advanced and the volume of churches being erected in the rural portions of Denmark showed that ample capital was present in the countryside.
The lack of large towns in Denmark was already evident in this period, and Lauring chalks this dearth up to the country’s geography. Since it possesses so many usable fjords and inlets, it was unlikely there would be a single harbor or two which would come to dominate trade. Thanks to this topographical quirk, Denmark (to this day) consists of many spread out towns and very few large towns.
Valdemar II’s (a.k.a. Valdemar the Victorious’s) ascension to the throne sees the northern Germanic areas conquered from Frederick II and the taking over of Estonia following the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219. It was during this battle the modern flag of Denmark (also known as the Knights of Malta banner) was thought to be flown for the first time. It was said that this flag was donated to Danish troops by the pope to take with them on their Estonian crusade.
The book points out that Germans were so cowed by Valdemar II that they dated events not from the birth of Christ, but from the date of his taking the throne. Valdemar II would ultimately be kidnapped and the Germanic lands taken back during this unplanned absence. Allegedly while under duress, he promises to not take back these lands, but fights to do so anyways upon his return home from captivity. He would fail to regain them by force-and lose an eye while trying! It is stories like this which are peppered throughout a History of the Kingdom of Denmark and cause it to move beyond a mere recounting of stale facts.
But the Valdemars were not done.
A bumpy patch in the country’s history was righted by the highly renowned Valdemar Atterdag in the mid-14th century. He helped seize the Scanian provinces and personally led the charge to take over Gotland (earning himself and future Danish kings the title “King of the Goths”), bringing on Denmark the ire of the Swedes in the process. The capture of Stockholm and the whole of Sweden by Denmark’s King Christian II in 1520 is just one example of the bad faith between the two bordering countries. In fact, the book is notable for its recounting of tension between Sweden and Denmark. At the same time, Norway and Denmark often enjoy amiable ties. The latter two countries spent over four hundred years in a union with one another, even sharing heirs to the royal throne.
King Eric’s signing of the Royal Charter at Nyborg in 1282 meant a curtailing of the King’s powers; modeled on the Magna Carta fifty-seven years earlier, this document stated the king would lend his to the nobles and call a national assembly annually. King Eric-not alone in this category-would meet his end in a bloody manner several years after signing the charter. The Royal Charter followed on the heels of Valdemar the Victorious’s signing of the highly acclaimed Jutlandic Law in 1241. This provided the country with its first written laws, although they only applied to the areas of Jutland, Slesvig, and Funen.
Denmark at this time combined Christian beliefs brought over during the Viking age with many folk beliefs that had been present in Scandinavia for generations. The sheer number of churches constructed in Denmark attested to their at least outward willingness to not fully bow to the Nordic gods, and the al secco murals showed the level of commitment the Scandinavian countries had toward their places of worship. The Reformation would obviously have its effects in 16th century Denmark, but the country escaped relatively unscathed compared to the violence that event inflicted on other European states.
A misstep of policy documented by A History of the Kingdom of Denmark is the establishment of Sound Dues at the turn of the 15th century. These were taxes forced on seafaring nations which sought the privilege of using the Baltic Sea’s entrance, and their implementation by Eric of Pomerania resulted in resentment toward Denmark by numerous European states. On the other hand, the impression is given that reforms in the 1700s by Christian VI designed to help Denmark’s peasants were an excellent step forward for Danish freedom. The “Liberty Memorial” obelisk in Copenhagen was put up in recognition of Christian VI’s efforts to help the peasantry attain a better life.
A continually challenging policy which recurs throughout the book is how to handle the Danish duchies of Slesvig and Holstein, areas with their own culture who did not always feel like they fit in with broader Danish society. In fact, their inclinations toward Germany caused problems during World War One, and if not for the harsh treatment of Denmark by the Nazis during their occupation of Denmark, might have caused an issue during World War Two as well.
Denmark’s fighting against England is a broader part of the chaos unleashed by Napoleon’s rise to power at the turn of the 18th century. The fight in Copenhagen’s harbor on Maundy Thursday, 1801, between Admiral Olfert Fischer and the Royal Navy’s Admirals Parker and Nelson, resulted in a defeat but a subsequent lift in morale for Denmark.
This was followed up six years later by another attack on the city by British forces (brought on by complications arising from the Treaty of Tilsit) by a bombardment of Copenhagen by British naval forces, an attack which ended in nearly the entire Dano-Norwegian fleet being taken away by England. The fury this attack engendered amongst Danes, who did not even view themselves as a hostile nation in relation to England, is communicated by the author. The sort of national spirit they showed during-and after-this attack would be present again after Denmark's capitulation to the Nazis. While Lauring makes clear modern Danes are not a warlike people, viewing it as senseless and a waste of lives and capital, he uses examples like the arousal of a patriotic spirit following the British attack and Nazi invasion as proof that they will push back when there is no longer an alternative.
It is this pride in his country tempered by a willingness to provide readers with a balanced view of its past that makes Palle Lauring's history of Denmark such a fantastic piece of writing. Whether or not the credit goes to the author or the translator, the existence of not a single typographical error attests to the level of attentiveness to detail present in the composition and narrative. Readers should not skip over this book due to an unfamiliarity with its subject; this lack of familiarity will actually make it a more enjoyable trip through time, as many details unknown to the vast majority of non-Danes will be unveiled during its reading.
-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado
Palle Lauring’s book gifts readers with a well-balanced recounting of the Danish people’s history. Its initial chapter reaches back to the Ice Age (when travel between the present day area of Denmark and the three more northerly Scandivanian nations was a possibility due to the absence of higher sea levels) and provides details of the hunter-gatherers and the spread of Bronze Age culture to Denmark in the millennium before Christ. Descriptions and photos of the primitive tools and weapons from early Scandinavian societies draw readers into the book's orbit from the start.
Denmark developed along a different path than much of mainland Europe: though too far north to receive embrace from the Roman Empire’s tentacles, much evidence still remains of the country’s influence by Roman culture by way of trade.
The story of the Vikings is recounted in Chapter Two. As engrossing as this brutal era always is to read about, it is a credit to A History of the Kingdom of Denmark (which was translated into English from the original Danish by David Hohnen) that it arguably is not even the book’s most engrossing segment.
Possibly stemming from the word vik or vig from their nickname as “The men from the fjord”, these Scandinavian raiders receive ample focus in the narrative. The establishment of independent Viking settlements in England, which became a Viking kingdom known as “Danelagh,” was an interesting piece of information to discover, showing how the Vikings (as they also were in Greenland) were not merely feared raiders, but settlers as well. In fact, the Viking age is said to have as its unofficial genesis an attack on Lindisfarne in northeast England on June 8, 793. It took the valiant efforts of Alfred the Great to ensure the English finally pushed back against the pesky raiders from Norway and Denmark.
That a portion of Ireland and the Normandy region of France was also ceded to the Vikings demonstrated their propensity for conquering. The early Danish king Harald Bluetooth-who was credited with introducing Christianity to the hitherto-perceived-as-heathen Denmark-became concerned at the fact that large swaths of his nation remained defenseless while the Vikings were out doing their thing. This early king had an idea of reigning in Denmark’s penchant for sending out warriors to inflict pillage on the coasts of other European nations. But Bluetooth’s death, and the ascension to the throne of his equally impressively named son (Swedyn Forkbeard) to the throne, ensured the Viking age lasted slightly longer. English leader Ethel the Unready was forced by Forkbeard into handing over tribute payments, and under his watch London was even captured.
Forkbeard’s slightly less vividly named son, Canute the Great, would end up causing grumbling from his Danish subjects over the fact the he spent so much time manning things in England that he was rarely ever back home in Denmark. The Viking age would officially expire soon after Canute's time on the throne.
The book moves on to give a detailed accounting of the development of the Danish monarchy, providing readers with a look at the reigns of Valdemar I (aka Valdemar the Great) and Canute VI, times during which agriculture advanced and the volume of churches being erected in the rural portions of Denmark showed that ample capital was present in the countryside.
The lack of large towns in Denmark was already evident in this period, and Lauring chalks this dearth up to the country’s geography. Since it possesses so many usable fjords and inlets, it was unlikely there would be a single harbor or two which would come to dominate trade. Thanks to this topographical quirk, Denmark (to this day) consists of many spread out towns and very few large towns.
Valdemar II’s (a.k.a. Valdemar the Victorious’s) ascension to the throne sees the northern Germanic areas conquered from Frederick II and the taking over of Estonia following the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219. It was during this battle the modern flag of Denmark (also known as the Knights of Malta banner) was thought to be flown for the first time. It was said that this flag was donated to Danish troops by the pope to take with them on their Estonian crusade.
The book points out that Germans were so cowed by Valdemar II that they dated events not from the birth of Christ, but from the date of his taking the throne. Valdemar II would ultimately be kidnapped and the Germanic lands taken back during this unplanned absence. Allegedly while under duress, he promises to not take back these lands, but fights to do so anyways upon his return home from captivity. He would fail to regain them by force-and lose an eye while trying! It is stories like this which are peppered throughout a History of the Kingdom of Denmark and cause it to move beyond a mere recounting of stale facts.
But the Valdemars were not done.
A bumpy patch in the country’s history was righted by the highly renowned Valdemar Atterdag in the mid-14th century. He helped seize the Scanian provinces and personally led the charge to take over Gotland (earning himself and future Danish kings the title “King of the Goths”), bringing on Denmark the ire of the Swedes in the process. The capture of Stockholm and the whole of Sweden by Denmark’s King Christian II in 1520 is just one example of the bad faith between the two bordering countries. In fact, the book is notable for its recounting of tension between Sweden and Denmark. At the same time, Norway and Denmark often enjoy amiable ties. The latter two countries spent over four hundred years in a union with one another, even sharing heirs to the royal throne.
King Eric’s signing of the Royal Charter at Nyborg in 1282 meant a curtailing of the King’s powers; modeled on the Magna Carta fifty-seven years earlier, this document stated the king would lend his to the nobles and call a national assembly annually. King Eric-not alone in this category-would meet his end in a bloody manner several years after signing the charter. The Royal Charter followed on the heels of Valdemar the Victorious’s signing of the highly acclaimed Jutlandic Law in 1241. This provided the country with its first written laws, although they only applied to the areas of Jutland, Slesvig, and Funen.
Denmark at this time combined Christian beliefs brought over during the Viking age with many folk beliefs that had been present in Scandinavia for generations. The sheer number of churches constructed in Denmark attested to their at least outward willingness to not fully bow to the Nordic gods, and the al secco murals showed the level of commitment the Scandinavian countries had toward their places of worship. The Reformation would obviously have its effects in 16th century Denmark, but the country escaped relatively unscathed compared to the violence that event inflicted on other European states.
A misstep of policy documented by A History of the Kingdom of Denmark is the establishment of Sound Dues at the turn of the 15th century. These were taxes forced on seafaring nations which sought the privilege of using the Baltic Sea’s entrance, and their implementation by Eric of Pomerania resulted in resentment toward Denmark by numerous European states. On the other hand, the impression is given that reforms in the 1700s by Christian VI designed to help Denmark’s peasants were an excellent step forward for Danish freedom. The “Liberty Memorial” obelisk in Copenhagen was put up in recognition of Christian VI’s efforts to help the peasantry attain a better life.
A continually challenging policy which recurs throughout the book is how to handle the Danish duchies of Slesvig and Holstein, areas with their own culture who did not always feel like they fit in with broader Danish society. In fact, their inclinations toward Germany caused problems during World War One, and if not for the harsh treatment of Denmark by the Nazis during their occupation of Denmark, might have caused an issue during World War Two as well.
Denmark’s fighting against England is a broader part of the chaos unleashed by Napoleon’s rise to power at the turn of the 18th century. The fight in Copenhagen’s harbor on Maundy Thursday, 1801, between Admiral Olfert Fischer and the Royal Navy’s Admirals Parker and Nelson, resulted in a defeat but a subsequent lift in morale for Denmark.
This was followed up six years later by another attack on the city by British forces (brought on by complications arising from the Treaty of Tilsit) by a bombardment of Copenhagen by British naval forces, an attack which ended in nearly the entire Dano-Norwegian fleet being taken away by England. The fury this attack engendered amongst Danes, who did not even view themselves as a hostile nation in relation to England, is communicated by the author. The sort of national spirit they showed during-and after-this attack would be present again after Denmark's capitulation to the Nazis. While Lauring makes clear modern Danes are not a warlike people, viewing it as senseless and a waste of lives and capital, he uses examples like the arousal of a patriotic spirit following the British attack and Nazi invasion as proof that they will push back when there is no longer an alternative.
It is this pride in his country tempered by a willingness to provide readers with a balanced view of its past that makes Palle Lauring's history of Denmark such a fantastic piece of writing. Whether or not the credit goes to the author or the translator, the existence of not a single typographical error attests to the level of attentiveness to detail present in the composition and narrative. Readers should not skip over this book due to an unfamiliarity with its subject; this lack of familiarity will actually make it a more enjoyable trip through time, as many details unknown to the vast majority of non-Danes will be unveiled during its reading.
-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado
September 24, 2025
Read this to prepare for a trip to Denmark. When the first chapter started with the Cretaceous Period, I thought maybe it was going a bit too far back, but I have to admit, even the early chapters were fascinating. I had no idea the North Sea was once dry land, and that the people living in the area we now call Denmark could walk freely to the British Isles!! Lots of great info followed about Viking raids all over Europe and the long succession of kings over the centuries, including some helpful illustrations and photos. I'll admit to skimming through some of that, but it gave me a better idea of how Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have interacted historically. The chapter on WWI and WWII is concise but gets the main details of Denmark's involvement across. I'm glad I picked this up, and will be keeping it as a reference.
January 26, 2022
Great overview of Danish history. A bit old
At this point maybe, but I imagine it being a good introduction to the general history of Denmark or work as a brush up on your knowledge on the subject. A great book for discovering what parts of the history you might want to Look into deeper.
At this point maybe, but I imagine it being a good introduction to the general history of Denmark or work as a brush up on your knowledge on the subject. A great book for discovering what parts of the history you might want to Look into deeper.
April 8, 2023
265 pages covering well over a thousand years of Denmark’s history. There are so many names, rulers, kings, and events mentioned and described - even if people and events are covered in a paragraph or two, it is covered. This book is basically the Cliff Notes/Spark Notes for Denmark’s History. Also, given all the setbacks that Denmark suffered, it is shocking they are still a country. A country whose history is almost unknown to most Americans which is unfortunate. American History is British History. British History is Danish History. Also, while not mentioned in this book, the reason I decided to read a book on Denmark’s History is because of the country’s ever popular world famous LEGO. So, if you enjoy studying American History, British History, European History, Viking History, or World History, then I would highly recommend this book.
February 21, 2022
Palle Laurings udsyn og sjældne evne som formidler gør at denne bog holder sig ung alderen til trods. Paradoksalt nok er hans rummelige, selvkritiske humanisme jo mere tidssvarende end den efterfølgende generations dogmatiske universitetsmarxisme, der har gjort at deres værker i dag kun læses af selvpinere og sindssyge. Selvfølgelig kommer vi ikke udenom at forskningen hist og her er løbet fra Laurings viden om tiden før tidlig middelalder, men derfra kan man altså roligt og ubekymret læse med. Hvis bogen har en svaghed er det længden, eller rettere, korten - Danmarks historie fra sidste istid og op til EF-afstemningen er for omfattende et emne til at kunne klares bare nogenlunde tilfredsstillende på nogle hundrede sider, uanset hvem forfatteren er.
April 14, 2025
Back in the day, when his prodigal daughter had moved to Denmark, my dad swallowed this book in 2 slurps. It took me somewhat longer but it is still the classic history of a small country that has steadily gained more notice on the international scene than back there in the 80s. Denmark bats way over its weight in the EU, for example, because of good language skills, quite necessary when no one else speaks Danish & many have to stifle their laughter when they hear it. "Do I really want to sound like that?" I thought on arrival, & now I almost do. Accents hang on when you arrive as a grownup. I love my adopted country & this book is a gem for the curious.
February 16, 2021
Legendarisk Danmarkshistorie af Palle Lauring. Et must-read for alle historieinteresserede. Det kan dog godt mærkes, at bogen er skrevet i en anden tid end hvor egen, hvorfor den til tider kan virke lidt gammeldags og “out-dates”.
August 13, 2017
Score: 7.5/10
March 1, 2018
Ok bog, som gennemgår de vigtigste elementer i historien. Den giver et godt overblik, og vækker interessen for at gå mere i dybden med nogle perioder.
June 25, 2018
Boring, and too focused un war.
April 18, 2019
Decent book encompassing Danish history til just after the Second World War -- but my word what an atrocious English translation.
November 1, 2020
This is very much a book of its time (the 60’s), so keep that in mind if you choose to read it
December 22, 2020
Not an unbiased account of Danish history, the author is very proud of his nation's history.
December 18, 2012
For the like one person considering this text; I would recommend it! Well-written and a bit of a page-turner (...this is saying a lot given that this is a book on history). Sections are thoughtful, analogies are helpful, and a man on the street view is felt during all periods. The last section covering the war is one of the better treatments of it that I've read; do not hesitate to read this!
January 26, 2017
Could not find anything like this for a quick idea of Danish history. It served it's purpose as an outline - a sketch, but it was very dry and cursory. Extremely impersonal. Would have loved more anecdotes.
August 26, 2021
I picked this up to get an idea about the nation that makes up the majority of my ancestry. I appreciated the overview style, and that the book starts with the history of the land itself. I enjoyed it, and I'm excited to go into more depth.
February 17, 2016
den er rigtigt fantastisk bog synes jeg
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