The Almost Nearly Perfect People

Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia

By: Michael Booth

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Journalist Michael Booth has lived among the Scandinavians for more than 10 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 audiobook, 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.

©2014 Michael Booth (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[A] quick and enjoyable read that is perfect for readers interested in deeper understanding of the cultures behind the headlines." ( Library Journal)

"Narrator Ralph Lister does a splendid job covering this informative and often humorous look at Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.... Lister's sterling pronunciation of personal and place names as well as regional terms adds to the feeling of being in each distinct country." (AudioFile)

The author is a great stylist

The author has a remarkable ability to make fun reading what could have been a tedious subject: explaining what makes interesting Scandinavians, Nordics møre generally, and those from specific Nordic countries—with a dash of history and social science thrown in.

A witty British take on the Nordic set

Where does The Almost Nearly Perfect People rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the better audio books I've completed. Ralph Lister's performance is excellent and captures the pithy evaluations of Booth's book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lister is best when he's giving voice to Booth's own skepticism in the form of the back and forth in the interviews with various Nordic anthropologists and scholars.

Which character – as performed by Ralph Lister – was your favorite?

I'm just going to say "see above" in this one. Ugh. Great job Audible.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Question everything: Neither Iceland nor Finland can really be considered Scandinavian, but they are considered Nordic.

It’s Long but Worth it

I suspect that many readers of this tome don’t get all the way through. There are more than a few spots harder to swallow than others - Booth does give voice to a lot of intolerable characters and small-minded thinkers (as noted in other reviews by people who might not have paid attention the whole way through). If you make it to the section on Sweden, truth is you still have to work your way thirstily through the politics and ideologies to get to the point. That said, this is a rounding assessment of the facts and detailed - and thoroughly entertaining - analysis of opinions that makes this book very worth the effort. Booth works at humility and balance even when he indulges in his own and non-Scandinavian viewpoints. Best though are well-portioned tasty nuggets of humor throughout the journey. The epilogue makes it all okay again and I am recommending The Almost Nearly Perfect People to all my friends (because I can’t stop talking about it).

okay

If you've never been to Scandinavia or are new to studying the region it has some good culture information, you just have to get through the author being on his political soap box especially in the later chapters.

good book

I loved listening to the cultural exposition but am not too keen on his self described grumpy attitude towards the countries and people he writes about. however I believe that he tempers these comments fairly well with humor.