This book takes the history of Sweden from earliest times to the date the book was written (1972). Skimming very lightly over the period prior to 1523 (and the rise of Gustav Vasa), the author then begins to examine Swedish history with increasing depth. Covering a broad range of subjects from politics to art and literature, the author succeeds in giving the reader a real feel for the changes (and consistencies) that run through Swedish history. The final chapters go into great depth on 1960s Sweden, providing as much information as any reader could possibly want.

One of the things I liked about this book was the author's habit of giving the birth and death dates of various people mentioned, allowing the reader to place that person within a generational context. Unfortunately, she did allow this practice to trail off about halfway through the book. Overall, though, this is a good book for those who want information on Sweden from between 1523 and 1972 (especially the latter years). The author's stress on literature was quite fascinating, and makes this book a good read.