The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Michael Booth
The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Michael Booth
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The Almost Nearly Perfect People
Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia

Author: Michael Booth

Narrator: Ralph Lister

Unabridged: 13 hr 15 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/22/2015


Synopsis

Journalist Michael Booth has lived among the Scandinavians for more than ten years, and he has grown increasingly frustrated with the rose-tinted view of this part of the world offered up by the Western media. In this timely book he leaves his adopted home of Denmark and embarks on a journey through all five of the Nordic countries to discover who these curious tribes are, the secrets of their success, and, most intriguing of all, what they think of one another.

Why are the Danes so happy, despite having the highest taxes? Do the Finns really have the best education system? Are the Icelanders as feral as they sometimes appear? How are the Norwegians spending their fantastic oil wealth? And why do all of them hate the Swedes? In The Almost Nearly Perfect People Michael Booth explains who the Scandinavians are, how they differ and why, and what their quirks and foibles are, and he explores why these societies have become so successful and models for the world. Along the way a more nuanced, often darker picture emerges of a region plagued by taboos, characterized by suffocating parochialism, and populated by extremists of various shades. They may very well be almost nearly perfect, but it isn't easy being Scandinavian.

About Michael Booth

Michael Booth is a journalist, broadcaster, and keynote speaker. He is the author of several works of non-fiction, including the award-winning, international bestseller, The Almost Nearly Perfect People and Super Sushi Ramen Express. He is a correspondent for Monocle magazine and Monocle M24 radio, as well as other international publications. His works have been adapted by BBC radio in the UK and NHK TV in Japan, and translated into over twenty languages.


Reviews

This is a book about Scandinavia - judged time and time again by various polls to be the happiest and most satisfying place to live in the world. Yet we British ignore it. I came to this book with high levels of ignorance.... It made me realise how much we look south - towards France, Italy, Spain an......more

Goodreads review by Terje

I am a Scandinavian who was based in Norway for more than sixty years, this book shows that I'm not even close to perfect. But this book is: It is good written, it is funny and it even gave a Norwegian new insight(!). It is both a critique and hymn to the supposedly the happiest, most trusting and suc......more

Goodreads review by Esil

I listened to the audio of The Almost Nearly Perfect People. It was entertaining, interesting and thought provoking. Michael Booth is a Brit who has moved to Denmark, as his wife wanted to return to her home country. From this vantage point, Booth sets out to write a book about the people of Denmark......more