Narrative non-fiction

Through the crisis

Raymond Johansen / Anders Lundell

The Mayor of Oslo Raymond Johansen stood strong throughout the biggest crisis of modern times and became one of the pandemic’s most significant Norwegian politicians. In this book he tells the story of the most dramatic moment of the pandemic – about leadership during crisis, political conflict and a city which overnight became unrecognisable. How did the Coronavirus change the Norwegian society? How can we avoid that Norway post-pandemic becomes affected by even bigger differences and distance between people? Raymond Johansen has written a deeply personal and political book, where he approaches the principled, ethical and human challenges the pandemic has presented us with. He speaks honestly about insecurity, political conflict and how his personal experiences have shaped him as a leader. Through the Crisis is the story of a recent point in time from someone whose job it was to help shape it.

The Haugeans

Trygve Riiser Gundersen

The preacher Hans Nielsen Hauge and the followers of the Haugean movement are revered as established heroes in Norwegian history. In 1804 everything looked different. In The Haugeans. The Spirit and the Machine, Trygve Riiser Gundersen takes us back to the era of the revival. Why did the state and the officials react to the religious revival with fear? And where did the fear disappear? The result is a new interpretation of one of the most important phenomena in Norwegian history. But also, an entirely new image of Norway before 1814 – a society characterized by turmoil, oppression, change and resistance.

The history of the boat

Torolf E. Kroglund

While the Covid-19 pandemic led to closed borders and a break lasting well over two years, Torolf E. Kroglund built his own boat – without any experience. It was going to be a rowing boat – a pram. It gets built following a traditional clink-build method, just like the Vikings did and which is now declared a world heritage by UNESCO. At the same time both the author’s and the planet’s health worsen dramatically. Building a boat becomes a way to build a way out. This book looks at the history of the boat, from African migrants who at the dawn of time left the continent by boat, to the present boat migrants, and the complicated culture of the coast. With a personal approach the book digs into the core of what the boat has meant, both internationally and for Norway as a nation. The boat as a specific vessel between land and continent, moving towards freedom and free time – but also in the less literal meaning; the method of communication which carries humanhood. We’re all in the same boat.Contagious storytelling from someone who isn't born with skis on his feet, but with oars in his hands.ADRESSEAVISEN, five/six stars The boat floats, and then some, in Tororlf E. Kroglund's The History of the Boat. Kroglund writes brillianty well.BOK365, five/six stars One who reads it [the book] with an open mind and heart for the people's existence alone and together with others, will be enriched.FÆDRELANDSVENNEN

Map of Loneliness

Hilde Østby

In March 2020 the world closed down and stayed completely or partly closed for two and a half years. Most arenas where humans go for companionship, such as offices and concerts, weddings and funerals, disappeared or were decimated overnight. It’s as if the whole world has taken part in a huge experiment in loneliness, according to author Hilde Østby. The result of this experiment is worth dwelling on, as it’s not an easy diagnosis to just brush off. Research shows that loneliness, if it is chronic, is more dangerous for our health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In Map of Loneliness Hilde Østby approaches the subject on a personal, philosophical and journalistic level in order to get to grips with loneliness – one of our most enigmatic and under-communicated public health challenges. She shows us what loneliness does to us and asks where it comes from. That is a question which can be answered both medically and existentially. Maybe the mechanisms which drive us apart could later bring us back together? In that case loneliness is something we must solve as a community, through community, and for the community.

The Crow Man

Alf Marius Opsahl

Fifteen years ago, a crow landed in Espen Sletteberg’s lap. He and the crow, Hafez, have lived together ever since. From time immemorial, crows have been dogged by myth, which pretty much always deal in death and decay. But for Sletteberg, this is a matter of life and death. So what is it really like living with a crow? This is the first question DN journalist Alf Marius Opsahl poses in his encounter with Espen the Crow Man.

Culture Wars

Carline Tromp

Culture Wars is a book about the extreme right, how their radical views have been normalized, straight forward and (in some groups) cool, spreading their message with the help of new tech and using strategies that partially have their source on the political left side. This is a book about word and action; trolling and anti-feminists, key board warriors and terrorists; about new and old media, political (un-) correctness and waging a cultural ward using new tools; about racist frogs, Marxist ghosts and stylish neo-Nazis. Even though the content of this book is a frightening read, Tromp´s thorough review has an unexpected calming effect. She gives us an overview of the chaotic jumble of networks and ideas that forms the extreme right. Culture Wars will stand as a reference work on the field.

The Women’s City

Marta Breen / Helene Uri / Hilde Østby

Oslo is a city in flux. In the last decade alone, a number of new areas, districts and landmarks have appeared. But one thing seems to persist: male dominance. There are still about seven times more men than women who have had a street named after them in the capital, and most busts and statues are of men. Everyone needs to feel represented in public and to be made aware of pioneers and role models in whom they can recognise themselves. In this feminist guide, you can learn about the women who have already had streets named after them.

Women Philosophers in the Long Nineteenth Century

Are there women in nineteenth-century philosophy? By all means! This anthology presents the works of nine women philosophers in the tradition from romanticism to phenomenology. The collection demonstrates their central place within movements such as German Idealism, socialism, Marxism, and philosophy of experience. It presents excerpts from central works by Germaine de Staël, Karoline von Günderrode, Bettina Brentano von Arnim, Hedwig Dohm, Clara Zetkin, Lou Andreas Salomé, Rosa Luxemburg, Edith Stein, and Gerda Walther. In a clear and engaging style, these philosophers address questions such as: What is truth? What is a human self? How should the human self relate to non-human nature? How should it relate to itself? How can we best think about gender and identity? What are the conditions for community? Across the contributions, we encounter a wish to philosophize beyond the boundaries of academia, narrowly construed. The editors’ introduction offers a clear overview of women’s place and position in nineteenth-century philosophy and presents each of the nine philosophers with an eye to their historical importance as well as contemporary relevance. These are the philosophers we meet in this volume: Germaine de StaëlKaroline von GünderrodeBettina Brentano von ArnimHedwig DohmClara ZetkinLou SaloméRosa LuxemburgEdith SteinGerda Walther Published in the UK by Oxford University Press. The book is translated into Norwegian as part of the Thorleif Dahl Cultural Library. Brightly Shining WomenWho would have believed that an anthology on dead female philosophers would be one of last year’s best non-fiction publications?AFTENPOSTEN Kristin Gjesdal and Dalia Nassar have written much about women philosophers. Read their essay 'A rescue mission on behalf of women philosophers' here.

Olav V. Lonely Majesty

Tore Rem

The third volume in the great story of King Olav V first and foremost revolves around the king’s deed, a lonely work where the king is missing a queen by his side. It’s about the rituals of the court, about everyday routines, about a hectic travel schedule, about jubilee after jubilee, about a man who at first struggles to follow in his mythical father’s footsteps, but nonetheless ends up decidedly a success; a well-loved king of the people. Olav V. Lonely Majesty is a story about continuity, about a Norway that is growing and evolving, but also about a royal life characterised by longing and loneliness. It’s about decisions having to be made alone, about challenges on a personal level, about disabilities. Through different diaries, a range of personal archives and a large and until know unseen collection of letters we are invited in to not least the small Norwegian royal family, their British relatives, friend circle and court like never seen before. Finally in this book the author closely explores the death of a king which triggered a national mourning like none ever seen before.

Oslo from above

Lasse Tur

Aerial photographer Lasse Tur has an impressive photography collection with more than 1.5 million pictures from across all of Norway. In this splendid book you get to know the country’s capital from a bird’s eye view. Using his experienced gaze, the professional photographer chooses his motifs in the urban landscape with great accuracy. Lasse Tur was born in Oslo and has a profound love for his birthplace which he best depicts from the sky. Oslo From Above is a magnificent book full of spectacular photos.

The Foraging Book for Autumn and Winter

Jørgen Ravneberg

The interest in edible, wild growths is increasing. In The Foraging Book, Autumn and Winter you learn to identify these wild growths and where they grow, with a focus on Northern Europe. The book also includes several edible seaweed and kelp species. Knowledge about the different species is important when you’re going out into nature. This book describes the seasonal edible growths in a detailed manner, while you gain knowledge about the most important characteristics, about smells, colour and their appearance. The author Ravneberg also offers tips about how to use what you have foraged.