Description:
In this introductory guide, Knud Jespersen traces the process of disintegration and reduction that helped to form the modern Danish state, and the historical roots of Denmark's international position. Beginning with the Reformation in the sixteenth century, Jespersen explains how the Denmark of today was shaped by wars, territorial losses, domestic upheavals, new methods of production, and changes in thought. Focusing on the interplay between history, politics and economics, this illuminating text offers an insider's view of Danish identity formation over the last centuries.
This engaging textbook is an ideal resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking courses on Danish, Scandinavian or Nordic History. Concise and accessible, it will also appeal to anyone interested in gaining a clear understanding of the development of Denmark.Brief description: Knud J.V. Jespersen is Professor of Modern History at the University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, and Royal Historiographer to H.M. the Queen of Denmark.
Review Quotes:
"The third edition of Knud J. V. Jespersen's History of Denmark pairs an insider's perspective on Danish history and politics with a keen assessment of how Denmark's domestic situation has been affected by external, global developments. This book will be invaluable for English speakers trying to understand how one small country in the north Atlantic has had such an outsize influence on the world." --Julie K. Allen, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
"Knud J. V. Jespersen's History of Denmark, now in its third edition, is the most up-to-date comprehensive overview of Danish history available in English. Concise and readable, it is well-suited for both self-study and classroom use." --Mart Kuldkepp, University College London, UK