History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

A great start to planing a Norway getaway (twice)
Norway (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Excellent Single Source for Travel to Norway
Beautiful pictures throughout the book
Bad book, go to your room.

Norway (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Snorre Evensberget
Manufacturer: DK Travel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 078949339X

Book Description

See the best Norway has to offer, from stunning fjords and solitary mountains to the cosmopolitan city of Oslo and small fishing villages, in this inspiring guide. Includes practical advice on hiking, skiing, night life and local culinary specialties.

Features over 850 full-color photographs, maps and illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

A great start to planing a Norway getaway (twice).......2006-12-17

If you are planning a trip to Norway this book is a must have. It clearly outlines the whole country and does an excellent job with Oslo. There is so much to see and even if you are just doing a cruise of the country this is still worth buying. At the time I was only going to Oslo but on my second trip back I toured the rest of the country and this book was useful on both occasions. While it would be nice if DK made an Oslo book this one will be great in the meantime.

Norway (Eyewitness Travel Guides).......2006-11-04

I really like this book. I have many of the DK Eyewitness books, and they are all very good.
Norway" as well as other DK's have wonderful maps, beautiful pictures and valuable information.

Excellent Single Source for Travel to Norway.......2006-05-01

No one travel book can hope to capture all that might be useful or interesting to know about Norway, but the Eyewitness Travel Guide to Norway may come closest. Compact and portable, the guides are packed with information. Supplemented with some local maps, this guide may be sufficient for most visitors' needs.

The Norway Eyewitness Travel Guide includes maps, photographs, diagrams, and a variety of other graphics, in addition to narrative, to describe Norway as a travel experience. The introduction provides a sense of Norway in terms of its geography, people, and history. Breakdowns follow by region which include the principal attractions. Especially useful are the maps and diagrams of some of the most popular locations, such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. Other sections cover how to get to Norway and how to get around within what is a surprisingly large country. The guide includes information on accomodations, a shopping guide, and basic survival facts for the traveler. As always, the inclusion of a wealth of photographs provides a sense of place and scale for Norway, and will help the traveler make some choices in what to see and do.

This guide is highly recommended to the traveler planning a vacation in Norway. Some careful study will help ensure a wonderful vacation in a beautiful country.

Beautiful pictures throughout the book.......2005-02-04

I am planning my trip to Norway this May and have found this book to be very useful. I have other reference books I have used but none of those have the format of this book. It is very easy to find information and I find the maps and pictures very helpful. I would recommend this book if you are planning a trip to Norway or just interested in learning more about the country.

Bad book, go to your room........2004-07-23

I enjoyed the Eyewitness Travel Guide for Istanbul, although I used the Blue Guide to fill in the many information gaps. However, where the ETG finds success when providing information for a city, it fails when trying to cover an entire country.

This book was almost completely uselss. The Oslo section only covers with any detail the immediate downtown section. The maps for greater Oslo are horrible. The tram and bus information is wrong.

Of couse my largest gripe is my own fault. I knew one skinny book would leave way to much out.

One area the book got right, an area that every single other ETG has gotten wrong, was the food area. Handing the book around to Norwegians on the train brought more than a few, "Yes, that is what I normally eat."

Average customer rating:

A current favorite
Three Billy Goats-GREAT
The illustrations are priceless!
Two naaahs up for the Billy Goats Gruff
A favorite rendition of the classic fairy tale.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Paul Galdone
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0899190359

Product Description

PreSchool-Grade 2 Only the familiar plot of this well-known Norwegian folktale is recognizable in this revision. Gone is the cadence and beauty of G. W. Dasent's translation of Asbjornsen and Moe's text, found in Marcia Brown's version (HBJ, 1957; o.p.). Instead there is language devoid of rhythm and mystery. In addition, unnecessary motivations are ascribed to the characters that serve to explain the reason for their violent actions (the troll is hungry; the big Billy Goat Gruff is angry). These explanations serve only to dilute the power of the story. The full-color illustrations are humorous; the goats walk about on their hind legs, the smallest goat wears a diaper and sucks a pacifier, and the biggest wears a black leather jacket, to reinforce the point that he is tough enough to destroy the troll. The troll is quite scary, and although he does have a nose as long as a poker, his eyes are not as big as saucers; the illustration that introduces the troll does not even show his eyes. A better purchase is Galdone's version (Clarion, 1981) which is well-suited for use with large groups and more closely follows the standard translation. Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, Conn. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews:

A current favorite.......2007-10-02

This has fast become one of my 2 year old's favorites. She can already recite the book almost word for word using different voices for each Billy Goat Gruff. We get a real kick out of listening to her "read" to herself!

Three Billy Goats-GREAT.......2007-04-04

I was just reminded of this teriffic retelling of Three Billy Goats Gruff. The suspense and pacing are brilliant. The illustrations are gorgeous AND funny. It was one of my all-time favorite read-alouds when I was a children's librarian. Galdone never failed in capturing the kids' imagination and story hour was always the better with one of his books. A MUST HAVE!

The illustrations are priceless!.......2007-01-23

A delightful retelling of the old story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. This particular book stands out from all the others because of the illustrations, which are priceless! E.g., for the trip across the bridge, the bigger goats dress up the littlest one in a diaper; the biggest goat suits up in a black leather motorcycle jacket and dark glasses!

The book is as much fun for grownups as it is for children!

Two naaahs up for the Billy Goats Gruff.......2007-01-19

I used the book for a class I'm teaching on goats to 3-4 year olds. The story was a great success with group. The children were able to take what they learned about goats and see it pictured in the story. Example, goats have beards, horns and hooves. All of these features are beautifuuly illustrated on each page.
F.Y.I. Many of the children were happy to see the troll wasn't killed only pushed off the bridge. It is sonething to mention if it goes unnoticed.
Overall I highly recommend this version over any other I have seen out there because of the illustrations, simple text and story flow.

A favorite rendition of the classic fairy tale. .......2006-10-23

The kids just hoot when they see the biggest and meanest billy goat gruff dressed like a motorcyle dude in his leather jacket and sunglasses. The three billy goats (personified) have a problem and put their heads together to hatch a plan. They outsmart the ugly troll who lives under the bridge and finally enjoy a picnic of fresh green grass (checkered blanket, plates and all) on the other side of the bridge.

We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance

Average customer rating:

You will not want to put this one down!
Decent read but not an epic one
we die alone
Well Written niche of WW2
A Norwegian Saboteurs's Story

We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance
David Howarth
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Norway | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

General | Stephen E. Ambrose | Specialty Stores | Books

Paperback | Stephen E. Ambrose | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Nonfiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1558219730

Amazon.com

If this story of espionage and survival were a novel, readers might dismiss the Shackleton-like exploits of its hero as too fantastic to be taken seriously. But respected historian David Howarth confirmed the details of Jan Baalsrud's riveting tale. It begins in the spring of 1943, with Norway occupied by the Nazis and the Allies desperate to open the northern sea lanes to Russia. Baalsrud and three compatriots plan to smuggle themselves into their homeland by boat, spend the summer recruiting and training resistance fighters, and launch a surprise attack on a German air base. But he's betrayed shortly after landfall, and a quick fight leaves Baalsrud alone and trapped on a freezing island above the Arctic Circle. He's poorly clothed (one foot is entirely bare), has a head start of only a few hundred yards on his Nazi pursuers, and leaves a trail of blood as he crosses the snow. How he avoids capture and ultimately escapes--revealing that much spoils nothing in this white-knuckle narrative--is astonishing stuff. Baalsrud's feats make the travails in Jon Krakauer's Mt. Everest classic Into Thin Air look like child's play. In an introduction, Stephen Ambrose calls We Die Alone a rare reading experience: "a book that I absolutely cannot put down until I've finished it and one that I can never forget." This amazing book will disappoint no one. --John J. Miller

Book Description

One of the most exciting escape narratives to emerge from the challenges and miseries of World War II chronicles Jan Baalsrud’s escape from Nazi-occupied arctic Norway.

Customer Reviews:

You will not want to put this one down!.......2007-10-06

A harrowing tale of survival and the unconquerable will of an extraordinary soldier, We Die Alone assumes its rightful place among the greatest WWII survival stories ever told. Jan Baalsrud's exploits are testament to the capacity of the human spirit to survive while facing nearly impossible odds. Baalsrud repeatedly defies death as he braves the harsh Norwegian winter while eluding capture and certain torture and execution at the hands of the Nazis occupying Norway in 1943.

But this is not just a tale of one man's exceptional courage and endurance but of the loyalty of many proud Norwegians who resist the Nazi occupation and who ultimately assist Baalsrud in his efforts to escape and evade across the brutal, frozen Norwegian tundra. While adjectives such as 'incredible', 'unbelievable', and 'amazing' are readily applied to Baalsrud's stubborn refusal to die, it is without question the devotion of these compassionate Norwegian villagers that perhaps deserves our deepest admiration. Whether to simply defy the Nazi occupiers or whether out of compassion for a remarkable countryman, these people repeatedly extend themselves, in some cases, even beyond the limits of human endurance to save Baalsrud's life.

'Audacious' best describes the mission undertaken by the British-trained commandos as they enter Norwegian waters near Tromso at the book's outset. When betrayed by one of the supposed partisans assigned to help secure their landing, the commando team is quickly rounded up and those still alive executed. The lone survivor, Baalsrud, remains at large and makes his way by alternately swimming, hiking, and skiing across the treacherous rock, snow and ice of the Norwegian arctic wilderness.

Although Baalsrud, through a combination of good fortune, pluck, and feats of practically superhuman endurance, evades capture as he seeks refuge in neutral Sweden, he very nearly succumbs to exposure. Again, it is not without the aid of his brave countrymen that he manages to elude the Nazis while eventually making his way to a tiny village, Furuflaten, roughly 25 miles from the Swedish border. It is near there that Baalsrud faces down death yet again for 27 days in an icy, snow-covered 'grave' on a plateau in the mountains of northern Norway. If not for the aid of the inhabitants of Furuflaten he would have certainly died while quite literally entombed in ice and snow.

This is not the first time we witness Baalsrud's uncanny ability to fend off doubt and mental resignation in his struggle to stay alive - nor the last. As the days tick by and as his resolve begins to weaken, he reaches deep and summons additional reserves of both mental and physical strength. He sort of chips away at his despair by treating himself to bits of food and an occasional swallow of brandy. Most astonishing perhaps, he endures and even seems to gain energy by continually reminding himself of the loyalty and even love of those of his countrymen who have dedicated themselves to saving his life. It becomes apparent that he is willing himself to live partly in order to not let his protectors down.

In We Die Alone we are witness to feats of endurance which are beyond our ability to comprehend. When we see Baalsrud perform a type of crude surgery with a pocketknife on his gangrenous feet and lower legs we finally grasp the depth of this man's desire to live. And when he is eventually transported by Lapps on the final leg of his journey to Sweden strapped to a reindeer-driven sled we cannot help but cheer his final triumph over death.

Baalsrud's story is perhaps all the more remarkable because of the risk Norwegians faced at the hands of the Nazis during the occupation. If found aiding and abetting a fugitive a Norwegian could be summarily executed. Nevertheless, ordinary Norwegians took extraordinary risks to save Jan Baalsrud.

We Die Alone is testament to Norwegians' pride in their country and to the inner strength and fortitude of this unique race of people. Indeed, these qualities ensured that the German occupiers would find a worthy adversary in the Norwegian resistance movement. When we read about the actions of the Norwegian resistance in saving Baalsrud's life we are not surprised to learn that the Nazi occupation eventually required some 400,000 troops.

You will not want to put this one down!

Decent read but not an epic one.......2007-09-07

I enjoyed the story but it did take me longer to finish than I would have wanted. The local citizens who helped him were the real heros. He just sort of went along for the ride. The locals left him up in the mountains a few times by himself without the ability to move. They basically left him to die and by shear chance he didn't. After a while they felt so bad for him they came to the conclusion that he had suffered enough and at that point risked their lives to get him over the mountain range, out of enemy territory, and into the hands of the allies. He lived to tell the tale but I'm not overly impressed with his actions.

we die alone.......2007-07-19

Husband is history buff - hasn't read it yet - but I am sure he will get a lot out of it and be able to discuss it with his friend who is also a history buff on ww11

Well Written niche of WW2.......2007-02-12

Story about a Norwegian named Jan who goes back to Norway in 1943 to protest the German occupation as an agent of sabatoge and organize resistance. Things go awry and he is forced to rely on the people there for help in getting thru to neutral Sweeden as the sole survivor of his group. It is very well written and a great story. Every bit of what Jan went thru, and it was unbelievable, seemed to be there. The writer some how transformed himself into Jan, it was so real. It may be tedious to some, but to others who are truly interested in what happened and what Jan and his helpers when thru; it was hard to put this book down. People who enjoy psychology and moderate to heavy deep thinkers would enjoy this especially. There is some action as well, but much of it dwells on how Jan gets thru day to day on the edge of death, sick and crippled and waiting for his saviors, and what his saviors go thru as well. Little piece of WW2 for those hungry for something different about that war, like me. Next Up, 'Seven Days in January'.

A Norwegian Saboteurs's Story.......2007-01-12

This book starts off with a real Hollywood type beginning, a crew of Norwegians saboteurs attempting to implant themselves back into Nazi occupied Norway after receiving training in England. As the team is landing, the Germans capture or kill the whole team, except one escapee, Jan Baalsrud. Jan performs heroics to escape the initial ambush, scaling icy cliffs, while wounded and barefoot, swimming bays to elude German search parties. Jan's goal is to survive and escape to Sweden
A non-fiction book can not twist stories the way Hollywood can. In this case the action is at the beginning. The remainder of the story is really the story of a frostbitten crippled man being stored in remote huts and ice caves, enduring the cold, while Norwegian patriots are scheming to provide him with food, transportation and safe passage to Sweden. The story of this hero's endurance becomes a little tedious. I did not find it a story of the ultimate endurance, but it is well worth reading. The lifestyle and landscape of small isolated fishing villages in Northern Norway during World War II is very interesting. The fact that Jan Baalrud was often stored with a sledge and some meager provisions in an ice cave for a week or two while his destiny was being planned by Nature's storms, German search parties and local villagers.

Skis Against the Atom: The Exciting, First Hand Account of Heroism and Daring Sabotage During the Nazi Occupation of Norway

Average customer rating:

Amazing the selfless sacrfice made by Norwegian Heros
A Personal Account of the Norwegian Resistance
Assault In Norway Is Better
More heroic than Telemark
Norwegian Resistance saves the world from a German A-bomb

Skis Against the Atom: The Exciting, First Hand Account of Heroism and Daring Sabotage During the Nazi Occupation of Norway
Knut Haukelid
Manufacturer: North American Heritage Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Norway | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0942323076

Book Description

The exciting, first-hand account of heroism and daring sabotage during the Nazi occupation of Norway. The outcome of World War II could very possibly have been much different if Knut Haukelid and his small, but courageous band of Norwegian soldiers had not been successful in sabotaging the Nazis supply of heavy water. The heavy water produced at a facility in occupied Norway was vital to Hitlers race with the United States to develop the atomic bomb. Knut Haukelids Skis Against The Atom gives the reader an intimate account of the valiant and self-sacrificing service that the not-to-be-subdued Norwegians performed for the whole free world.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing the selfless sacrfice made by Norwegian Heros.......2007-09-10

Haukelid's personal account of his actions around the destruction of the heavy Water stocks and subsequently the Hydro ferry read like a James Bond novel. Bravo to these Norwegian heros and bravo to Mr. Haukelid for giving us such a personal account for posterity.

A Personal Account of the Norwegian Resistance.......2006-07-17

"Skis Against The Atom" is the personal account of the experiences of Norwegian resistance fighter Knut Haukelid during the German occupation of Norway 1940-1945. Haukelid was a Norwegian soldier who escaped to Britain in 1940 and was trained and returned to Norway by the British Special Operations Executive.

The centerpiece of the account is the British-Norwegian effort to sabotage the production of Heavy Water at Vemork for use in the Nazi atom bomb program. This heroic effort was the basis of the 1965 movie "The Heroes of Telemark" starring Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris. The rest of the story is, if anything, even more heroic than the movie. Haukelind and his companions hid for months on the remote Hardanger plateau, dodging Nazi patrols and enduring harsh weather and skimpy rations while waiting for their opportunity to sabotage the Vemork facility. Their sabotage of the heavy water production also required the sinking of a ferry carrying surviving supplies of heavy water, a heart-breaking decision that caused the deaths of Norwegian civilians.

Haukelid's account also covers the efforts to organize the resistance in Norway after German occupation, and the preparation for Allied liberation in 1945. The Norwegian resistance, lightly armed and heavily outnumbered, undertook to bluff the Nazis into surrender to prevent massacres of Norwegian civilians or the destruction of the Norwegian economy by desperate German forces in the dying days of the Third Reich.

Haukelid writes candidly in the first person. His account is told very much from his point of view. This book is a translation from the original Norwegian to English; the syntax may seem stilted or formal in places to American readers. Those interested in a larger perspective can consult a decent of body of work on the Norwegian resistance by other participants and by a number of British and Norwegian scholars.

This book is highly recommended to those interested in the Norwegian resistance.

Assault In Norway Is Better.......2006-06-24

A great story by a true hero, but Thomas Gallagher is a better
writer & Assault In Norway is a better book. Having said that,
if you have not read either book, Do It Now!!!! If not for these
brave and hearty men, we all might be speaking German now...

More heroic than Telemark.......2001-01-30

This book proves that "Heroes of Telemark" is not an exagerration. First hand documentary account of Norvegian underground against Nazis prove during WW II. It is actually very modest account of the coreougeous soldiers to deny Hitler to build atomic bomb. It is somehow overlooked to the one of the reasons of Nazi failure to build the bomb. But thanks to these heroes whom some of them lost their lives for the cause. Even the writing sometimes gets into some details I feel it is necessary for the documentation. I don't hold it against.

Norwegian Resistance saves the world from a German A-bomb.......1999-11-15

True story of how the Norwegian Resistance, with the help of Britain, stops the Germans from acquiring enough heavy water to make their own A-bomb. Exciting first hand account of skiing and avoiding the Nazis. Begin to understand the sacrifice made by the Norwegian people in their resistance to the Nazis. Made into a movie starring Kirk Douglas in 1968. I recommend reading Blood and Water to get another take on this exciting story.

Democracy and Redistribution (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics)

Average customer rating:

Asset Specificity, Equality, and Democracy

Democracy and Redistribution (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics)
Carles Boix
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Norway | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Switzerland | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Democracy | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Nonfiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0521532671

Book Description

Employing analytical tools borrowed from game theory, Carles Boix offers a complete theory of political transitions. It is one in which political regimes ultimately depend on the nature of economic assets, their distribution among individuals, and the balance of power among different social groups. Backed by detailed historical research and extensive statistical analysis from the mid-nineteenth century, the study reveals why democracy emerged in classical Athens. It also covers the early triumph of democracy in nineteenth-century agrarian Norway, Switzerland and northeastern America as well as its failure in countries with a powerful landowning class.

Customer Reviews:

Asset Specificity, Equality, and Democracy.......2007-02-11

Boix seeks to explain the emergence of various political systems; particularly the transitions between democratic governments, right-wing authoritarian regimes, and left-wing dictatorships. However, Boix's use of triangulated research - the combination of quantitative and qualitative measures - provides a more accurate explanation of regime transition than Lipset's original work.

Boix uses three main independent variables to explain political outcomes. First, Boix examines rates of inequality. He suggests that a nation with a more equitable distribution of assets is likely to see the emergence of a democratic regime. Boix writes, "A more unequal distribution of wealth increases the redistributive demands of the population and the ultimate level of taxes in a democratic system. As the potential level of transfers become larger, the authoritarian inclination of the wealthy increase and the probabilities of democratization and democratic survival decline" (37).

Second, Boix examines the specificity of assets, that is, whether or not assets are expropiatable to other countries. The author contends that the more liquid an asset, the more likely a democratic regime will emerge. Boix asserts that if the wealthy are able to expropriate their assets to other nations, these assets are less likely to be taxed heavily by the poor. As such, the upper classes will be more receptive to a democratic regime. On the other hand, assets that are nontransferable - such as oil wealth - are likely to be subject to heavy taxation by the poor if a democratic regime took hold. As such, it is in the best interest of the wealthy elite to repress the poor and protect their monopoly of assets.

Lastly, Boix looks at the impact of political resources on regime transition. The costs and benefits of repression or revolt fluctuate between social classes under various circumstances. Boix argues that, holding inequality and specificity constant, the conflict between these oppositional groups, and their relative political strengths and weaknesses, lead to the emergence of specific regime types. He writes, "rich and poor assess both the income and benefits associated with each political regime and the costs of achieving their preferred solution" (44). For example, an authoritarian regime often operates in the interests of the ruling elite. So long as the costs of repressing the poor are less than the costs of granting universal suffrage, authoritarianism will continue. On the other hand, if a shift in the balance of power between classes occurs, transition becomes more likely. Boix argues that as the poor gain political resources, and overcome the problems of collective action, they are likely to put pressure on the upper classes (45). The cost of repression to the wealthy then becomes too high to justify continued authoritarianism and democracy emerges. If the poor believe that they have gained political power, or that the cost of being repressed has become unbearable, revolt ensues, and a left-wing dictatorship takes over.

Boix's combination of econometric techniques and qualitative analysis has reexamined the modernization and democratization debate and will prove a lasting contribution to the field.

The Norse Myths (Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library)

Average customer rating:

There's only one thing you need to know when looking for an introduction to Norse myths...
Thor give me strength/ gib mir kraft
Must-have reference.
Wonderful!
A Portal To An Older Time

The Norse Myths (Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library)
Kevin Crossley-Holland
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Nonfiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0394748468
Release Date: 1981-07-12

Book Description

Here are thirty-two classic myths that bring the Viking world vividly to life. The mythic legacy of the Scandinavians includes a cycle of stories filled with magnificent images from pre-Christian Europe. Gods, humans, and monstrous beasts engage in prodigious drinking bouts, contests of strength, greedy schemes for gold, and lusty encounters. The Norse pantheon includes Odin, the wisest and most fearsome of the gods; Thor, the thundering powerhouse; and the exquisite, magic-wielding Freyja. Their loves, wars, and adventures take us through worlds both mortal and divine, culminating in a blazing doomsday for gods and humans alike. These stories bear witness to the courage, passion, and boundless spirit that were hallmarks of the Norse world.

Customer Reviews:

There's only one thing you need to know when looking for an introduction to Norse myths..........2006-12-26

...and that this is the book Neil Gaiman recommends on the subject.

Thor give me strength/ gib mir kraft.......2006-08-03

If you're looking for a good cheap book on norse mythology then you should buy this book. It starts off with an introduction which tell the kind of roles these myhs played in the lives of the norse. It also helps set you up with some information on some of the god's and how these myths came into being.
Then come the stories which start with the creation of the world and it ends with the destruction of it. In all you get 32 stories, most of which deal with the god's interacting with humans, dwarves and their enemies the giants. The stories themselves are told very nicely and they never get dull. The only problem one might have is trying to pronounce some of the names.
After the stories he gives information on each story on which source he used and sometimes he had to use differnt sources or how he had to altar some things so that the stories didn't contridict each other. There is also an index and a glossary at the end.
I really enjoyed this book for the stories and the history behind them and I would highly reccomend it to anyone who has an interest in the norse myths, young or old.

Must-have reference........2006-01-04

Finally I've found it: the book of tales of Odin, and Thor, and Bifrost, and Ragnarok! What a pleasure to read the tales that inspired so much of the world's fantasy literature! Here you'll find the background stories behind and the likes of Beowulf, the Nibelungenlied or the Volsungs' Saga, and obviously the roots of Professor Tolkien's own Middle-Earth mythology, so numerous are the similarities.

Not only are the thirty-two myths comprised in this translation very well told and captivating, but the introduction and notes are very complete and interesting, not to mention the very practical glossary and index. I haven't read Snorri Sturluson's Edda so I can't compare, but I'm pretty sure Kevin Crossley-Holland's is one of the best reference books on the subject, a must-have on one's shelf.

Wonderful!.......2005-07-17

This book is truly wonderful! The author captures the spirit of the Norse times perfectly. He keeps the myths true to the originals and manages to make it an exciting read. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Norse mythology and to whoever enjoys a good book.

A Portal To An Older Time.......2005-07-10

As an avid mythology fan, I had been trying to explore the area of Norse mythology when I stumbled upon this book. I had been having trouble find a well-written, comprehensive source, as the Norse Myths are unfortunately not as widely spread as Classical or Arthurian myths. However, I had been intrigued by the brief allusions to what I'd heard.
When I began reading this book, I was amazed at how coherent the Norse world is, and this book does an excellent job at pulling it all together. The introduction to the Norse cosmology is useful and fascinating, and the tales span the creation of the world, the exploits of Odin, the imprisonment of Loki and the final Ragnarok myth amongst many others.
The book is written in a simple, yet powerful vernacular. The narrative is enrapturing and written as an old story told around a fire. (I even read a few aloud to friends.) The stories themselves are unrepentantly pagan and provide a look into an older world without any modern values insinuated into them.
Most importantly, this book is an excellent read. You can flip to a random tale and amuse yourself for 15 minutes or you can sit down for a good read and follow the saga of the Norse Gods. If you've any interest in mythology at all, I recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Best of a bad bunch of books
The worst Longly Planet I have ever bought
A daunting task...
Good guide, altought with some weak points
The Definitive Trave Guide on Norway (4 1/2 Stars)

Lonely Planet Norway
Anthony Ham , and Miles Roddis
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1740595203

Book Description

Marvel at spectacular fjords and dramatic glaciers, discover vast wildernesses and thrill to exhilartaing outdoor activities - Norway is every nature lover's dream destination. Whether you're exploring diverse landscapes or ambling through enchanting towns, this guide enables you to truly connect with the Land of the Midnight Sun.

• BE INSPIRED - full-color highlights, practical planning sections and six itineraries get you on your way

• OFF THE BEATEN TRACK - detailed coverage of Arctic Norway and other distant wonderlands broaden your horizons

• REST EASY - comprehensive reviews on all accommodation from far-flung mountain huts to stylish boutique hotels

• GET AROUND - reliable, grid-referenced maps and our handy Transport chapter help you get from A to Bergen

• UNTIE YOUR TONGUE - the user-friendly Language chapter helps you to meet and greet Norwegians and the indigenous Sami people

Customer Reviews:

Best of a bad bunch of books.......2007-04-01

I'm still patiently waiting for a good Norway Tour Guide to be written. The Eyewitness Book is terrible. But out of a bad lot, perhaps the only one worth mentioning as worthy of taking along in a backpack is the Lonely Planet Norway.

This book isn't great; maybe it isn't even very good, but at least it does spend some effort to describe many of the amazing sites Norway has to offer. It's still quite hard for me to imagine why this great country hasn't been covered by a good book.

I for one borrowed the following books for my latest trip: Kon Tiki, The Moon is Down, A Collection of Plays by Ibsen, a Munch book, and the Lonely Planet Guide. I left the Eyewitness at home.

The worst Longly Planet I have ever bought.......2006-09-12

After traveling in Norway for two weeks and staying at more than 5 cities, I have to say this is the worst Lonely Plannet I've ever had. Many unforgiveable mistakes. For instance, the opening date and hour of National Gallery, one of Oslo's major highlights, is wrong. It is close on Monday instead of Tuesday. I met a number of people holding this book standing outside National Gallery on Monday, and, unfortunatly, my wife and I were two of them. Other mistakes includes the business hour of some restaurants and background information of certain cities. For instance, the population of Voss is 13,000 instead of 5,500 (p.189)....

A daunting task..........2003-07-25

Norway's a deceptively large country with many, many small towns and interesting regions, all of which are separated by large distances. This book scratches the surface of all of them.

I found the guide fairly weak for southwestern Norway (Stavanger & Bergen areas). While it did direct me to the more obvious tourist areas, I felt as if I had no idea about 90% of the other things I could do.

In summary, because they try to cover the whole country in one book, the coverage of any one area tends to be superficial.

Good guide, altought with some weak points.......2002-07-29

I've been recently travelling all around Norway, from South to North, including the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. I found this guide generally very useful, but weak when it comes to talk about the Nordland, the Far North (Troms and the Finnmark) and Svalbard. For example, Lofoten is surely a fascinating place especially for hikers - like I suppose the author is - but many description are exhagerated and you might be disappointed once there - like I was. The Nordland is not sufficiently covered and the information sometimes might be poor in contents. Same about the Finnmark. The Svalbard part of the guide could be more exhaustive, altought I agree is a surely less touristic place than Bergen as a matter of fact is. There is space for improvements, but you cannot find anything better packed.

The Definitive Trave Guide on Norway (4 1/2 Stars).......2001-09-22

Deanna Swaney (along with and Mark Griffith's outstanding mapping and design) have produced the definitive travel guide on Norway.

Deanna Swaney's writing is both engaging and descriptive. In my "must have" list, to qualify a guide as "excellent", are easy to read maps. This book has the best maps found in any Norway travel guide. The superb information and recommendations are reliable and though the publication date is 1999 (thus the information is pre '99). Norway is a stable nation with very low inflation and the prices are close to the quotes.

"Lonely Planet Norway" has a solid introduction section that covers Norway's history, government, economy, ecology, climate etc. This guide has an informative, practical, travel section and, most important, a reliable and up to date listing of recommendations that Swaney has checked out (lodging, restaurants, entertainment, places to see and things to do). At the start of each section is a regional map, more maps, and a list of highlights or "must see" for that region. Great!

Deanna must not be a motorcycle afficionado for there is no mention in her book of motorcycle rental in Norway. I rented a Harley in Trondheim for a week of travel through the Western Fjords, Central Norway and the Trondelag region. Brilliant way to see this glorious country, but, beware the weather is more temperamental than a manic Chihuahua. It can and will go from warm to cold to wet back to sun in the space and distance of one hours travel. My motorcycle rental did include the all-purpose riding gear, I brought my own helmet.

A weak area is the intermittent use of email/web site addresses. These are very helpful, especially for hotel quotes and reservations. I am sure this will be addressed when the next edition comes out.

This is the best guide out on Norway, my second choice is Norway: The Rough Guide (see my review). If you are heading to Norway, get `Lonely Planet', you will be glad you did. Highly Recommended

Average customer rating:

It *IS* a worthy choice for pre-schoolers!

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls

Charmed

Roll with the Troll

A work of art!

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls (New York Review Children's Collection)
Ingri D'Aulaire , and Edgar D'Aulaire
Manufacturer: NYR Children's Collection
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Anthologies | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Norse | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Norse | Children's Books | Mythology | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths

D'Aulaires' Book of Animals (New York Review Books)

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

Leif the Lucky

Wee Gillis (New York Review Children's Collection)

ASIN: 1590172175
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Book Description

In this spectacular follow-up to their beloved Book of Norse Myths, the husband-and-wife team of Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire explore the uncanny reaches of Norse mythology, an enchanted night-world populated by trolls of all kinds—mountain trolls, forest trolls, trolls who live underwater and trolls who live under bridges, uncouth, unkempt, unbreakable, unforgettable, and invariably unbelievably ugly trolls—who work their wiles and carry on in the most bizarre and entertaining fashions.

With their matchless talent as storytellers and illustrators, the d’Aulaires bring to life the weird and wonderful world of Norse mythology.

Customer Reviews:

It *IS* a worthy choice for pre-schoolers!.......2007-09-09

As someone who is trying to cultivate a love of literature AND a lengthy attention span in my homeschooled children, I *did* purchase this for my pre-schooler and he sat happily through the entire book (3 evenings worth of reading for us). The d'Aulaire illustrations were, as always, engaging, soft, and encouraging to the child's imagination. Detailed without taking over the telling of the tales. Basically, it covered all of my criteria to be purchased: well written and if it has illustrations they need to be worthy of the story and worth looking at.

The down side to this book is that it is in some ways a long treatise on trolls that happens to include some stories as examples. This means that your child ends the book having been exposed to a lot of the folk beliefs of Scandinavian trolls, with a limited number of stories, and that it doesn't simple cut-off points for bedtime reading. On the other hand, it means it is a book worth revisiting as a child grows older; in our case so our children will be versed in the folklore and belief of their ancestors. A simpler bedtime book with lovely woodblock illustrations would be Lise Lunge-Larsen's "The Troll with No Heart in His Body." It is a collection of the stories with very brief intros that can be included or omitted according to the moment (at bedtime with my pre-schooler I tend to leave them out; when reading during the day I am more likely to include them).

I'm not really suggesting one book over the other. In a search for either cultural literacy or multiculturalism, both have their place and are both well told, well illustrated and will add to your child's imaginative landscape.

D'Aulaires' Book of Trolls.......2007-05-12

Thanks for the quick shipping! The book is in perfect condition as described.

Charmed.......2007-01-24

My grandsons loved this book. The illustrations are beautiful and the tales are quaint. We will be certain to treasure this book for years.

Roll with the Troll.......2005-08-03

A great read filled with colorful illustrations & all the usual excitement you'd expect to find in a troll adventure. Of course, there is also a beautiful princess to be rescued. I don't know why Amazon lists the reading level as "baby, pre-school"!!! No baby or pre-schooler would sit through the first page. Maybe the illustrations would interest that group, but the amount of reading is far too lengthy. As a "read alone" book, I would say it is best suited for grades 3 and up.

A work of art!.......2001-07-12

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I checked it out of the library over and over . The pictures just seem to come to life, the stories are enchanting. A must have for troll collectors. I purchased a copy at long last! Thanks Amazon

Style & Splendor: The Wardrobe of Queen Maud of Norway 1896-1938

Average customer rating:

beautiful images
Queen Maud as costumer's resource
A Queen's Closet

Style & Splendor: The Wardrobe of Queen Maud of Norway 1896-1938
Anne Kjellberg , and Susan North
Manufacturer: Victoria & Albert Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

History | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Norway | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Scandinavia | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1851774548

Book Description

In the late 19th century, women wore bustles, corsets, and ankle-length petticoats under skirts that swept the ground. By the 1930s, some of the same women were wearing trousers, short skirts, and simple draped dresses. Nowhere is this extraordinary transition more beautifully and extensively documented than in the wardrobe of Queen Maud of Norway, the granddaughter of England's Queen Victoria. One of the best-dressed women of her age, she took every opportunity to indulge her passion for clothes.

Style and Splendour showcases some of Queen Maud's most spectacular garments. Using photographs of her magnificent clothes and accessories, most made by the foremost designers of her day and now preserved in Oslo, the book tells the story of the evolution of women's fashion from the 1890s to the 1930s. AUTHOR BIO: Anne Kjellberg is curator of Queen Maud's collection at the National Museum of Art/Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Oslo. Susan North is curator in the Department of Furniture, Textiles and Dress at the V&A and author of Historical Fashion in Detail.

Customer Reviews:

beautiful images.......2007-06-25

Beautiful book. Beautiful images. I wanted MORE images but that's just me.
Cool to see some other designers works besides the greats like Dior and Balenciaga. There are a few outfits that really take my breath away. If it had more images I would have given it 5 stars! but it really is a 5 star book for most people.

Queen Maud as costumer's resource.......2007-04-05

This book is excellent for costuming ideas. It has large, sharp pictures that show the details on the dresses beautifully.

A Queen's Closet.......2006-01-22

All of the books on historical fashion published by the Victoria & Albert Museum are beautiful, and this is no exception. I saw this exhibition while I was in London this summer and I was pleasantly surprised at liking the book because I always assumed that publications wouldn't be able to measure up to seeing the garments in person. Instead I found that the book gives me a chance to appreciate each beautiful garment at my leisure, and read the history about Queen Maud (which gives a context and feeling of `realness' to the clothing). The book features Edwardian coronation gowns (literally, Maud wore one for the coronation of Edward VII, her father), sportswear (riding gowns etc.), and dresses and suits through the late 30's all beautifully photographed and described.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books