The Swedish Secret: What the United States Can Learn from Sweden’s Story [Paperback]

Earl Gustafson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 2006

Imagine a country where very few people are homeless; there has been no war for 200 years; there is high-quality health care for all; there is excellent free public education a living wage is the norm and there is low unemployment; voter participation is high and political advertising on TV and radio is prohibited by law; the economy grows without creating extremes of wealth alongside poverty; and there is little national debt. You don’t have to imagine this country. It is Sweden today. The Swedish Secret: What the United States Can Learn from Sweden’s Story elucidates the remarkable similarities and differences between two cultures that have shared similar paths yet now inhabit markedly different spheres. Earl Gustafson, a former Minnesota state senator and judge, contrasts Sweden—small, wealthy, egalitarian, neutral—with the United States: huge, rich, and at odds with itself and the world. He traces the historical, economic, and social conditions of each country, describes the divergent and ultimately successful course taken by Sweden, and explores what the United States can learn from its counterpart’s example.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Earl Gustafson was born in Duluth, Minnesota. His varied career includes seaman on a Great Lakes ore carrier, a stint in the U.S. Navy, attorney, Minnesota state legislator, judge, mediator, and arbitrator. He has traveled to Sweden numerous times. He and his wife, Donna, have eight children and fourteen grandchildren; they live in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Syren Book Company; 1 edition (April 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929636600
• ISBN-13: 978-0929636603
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > History > Europe > Sweden
  • #37 in Books > History > Europe > Scandinavia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning how the USA could be happier, September 28, 2009

By 

Judy L. Anderson "book lover" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Swedish Secret: What the United States Can Learn from Sweden’s Story (Paperback)

I have been wanting to read a book like this for a long time so that I could understand why my family in Sweden were content and happy with living in what Americans call a socialist country. After reading this book things have become very clear to me. As an American we see where are values are and compare them to Sweden. We seem to want everything of money value but do not want to pay for it. Sweden seems to know what is valuable ( family-friends-land-education-health-no unnecessary wars-value of women in politics-and more fairly run elections) and are willing to pay higher taxes so that everyone is equal and treated that way. I wish everyone would read this book and realize as much as we hate high taxes, nothing comes free and how important it is to help everyone have a fair and decent life.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hej Hej, June 24, 2006

By 

JK "Uppsluppen" (Cheshire, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Swedish Secret: What the United States Can Learn from Sweden’s Story (Paperback)

Overall, this is a decent book. Gives a good basic overview of American & Swedish history, along with some good comparisons. If your new to Swedish history/politics &/or American history/politics, & want to learn more, then this would be a great starter book.

If your like me, and are familiar with the Swedish system (been there 3 times) & the American system (history, politics, etc.), then you may find this book somewhat redundant. Mostly covers the basics. The main complaint I have is that its too short (180pg.) & mostly concentrates on American history, while being brief on the Swedish parts (and dosn't get into heavy comparison, or "what we can learn" mode till the last 50 pages). I feel for an American audience, it should be the other way around.

~Hej dĺ

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was hoping for., April 5, 2010

By 

gary13136 (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Swedish Secret: What the United States Can Learn from Sweden’s Story (Paperback)

The book was something of a disappointment. It focused far more on an overview of American History (particularly in the 20th century) than anything else. Far more about what is wrong with the USA, and not much about what is right about Sweden. If the reader wants to learn about Sweden, the reader would be far better off with a good book of Swedish history. I really did not learn anything that I didn't already know.