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‘Bjarnason’s intriguing book might be about a cold place, but it’s tailor-made to be read on the beach.’ –New Statesman
The untold story of how one tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic has shaped the world for centuries.
The history of Iceland began 1,200 years ago, when a frustrated Viking captain and his useless navigator ran aground in the middle of the North Atlantic. Suddenly, the island was no longer just a layover for the Arctic tern. Instead, it became a nation whose diplomats and musicians, sailors and soldiers, volcanoes and flowers, quietly altered the globe forever. How Iceland Changed the World takes readers on a tour of history, showing them how Iceland played a pivotal role in events as diverse as the French Revolution, the Moon Landing, and the foundation of Israel. Again and again, one humble nation has found itself at the frontline of historic events, shaping the world as we know it, How Iceland Changed the World paints a lively picture of just how it all happened.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
May 11, 2021 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780525507468
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780525507468
- File size: 1596 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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May 1, 2021
Iceland is small. Journalist Bjarnason recounts making it halfway around the country after biking for just a day. Despite Iceland's low population, compact landmass, and seemingly slight geopolitical significance, Bjarnason advances a book-length argument for the country's importance in world history. Norse mythology would never have survived in texts had it not been for the efforts of an Icelandic storyteller and an Icelandic scholar. The French Revolution was hastened by extreme weather and famine in Europe induced by the eruption of Iceland's Laki volcanic fissure from 1783 to 1784. The conclusion of WWII was expedited by the Allies' strategic occupation of Iceland, saving countless lives. Bjarnason's chronicle is basically a greatest hits album of the past millennium of Icelandic history, which can occasionally feel cursory and prone to trivia. Yet this trivia is often fascinating. For readers who are curious about all things Icelandic, including how a "cultural war" is being waged over Iceland turning purple and why the letter Z was removed from the Icelandic language, this is the go-to book.COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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