Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Books about WWII in Norway
Assault in Norway: Sabotaging the Nazi Nuclear Campaign, Thomas Gallagher
War and Innocence: A Young Girl's Life in Occupied Norway, Hanna Aasvik Helmersen
The German Invasion of Norway: April 1940, Geirr H Haarr
Modern Norway
Since the transformation of the Norwegian economy following the discovery of oil, suc-
cessive socialist governments (and short-lived conservative ones) have used the windfalls
(alongside high income taxes and service fees) to foster one of the most extensive social
welfare systems in history, with free medical care and higher education, as well as gener-
ous pension and unemployment benefits. And there looks to be no end in sight for the era
of government largesse - its rapidly rising oil fund for future generations has soared to
around US$700 billion. It all adds up to what the government claims is the 'most egalitari-
an social democracy in Western Europe'.
Thanks in part to its oil wealth, Norway wields a level of influence on the international
stage far out of proportion to its relatively small population. Its energetic participation in a
range of international institutions, its pivotal involvement in peace processes from the
Middle East to Sri Lanka, and its role as a leading player in assisting refugees around the
world, in particular, have won international plaudits.
At the same time, Norway remains, by choice, on the fringes of the continent that it in-
habits and has yet to join the European Union. Casting an eye over Norwegian history, it's
not difficult to understand why Norwegians remain wary of forming unions of any kind
with other countries. Having narrowly voted against EU membership in 1972 and again in
1994 despite Norwegian governments pressing for a 'yes' vote, Norway remains on the
outside looking in.
Travel Literature on Modern Norway
The Magnetic North: Notes from the Arctic Circle, Sara Wheeler
True North: Travels in Arctic Norway , Gavin Francis
Fellowship of Ghosts: A Journey Through the Mountains of Norway , Paul Watkins
 
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