The Nordic people are often said to be hard-working, dutiful, open to innovation and equality, and trend-sensitive, with a 'less is more' attitude when it comes to clothes, furniture and interior design. Nordic histories and cultures have been intertwined for centuries, but what created their distinctive character? Was it the experience of Northern Europe's four seasons, with cold, harsh dark winters, unreliable springs, bright summers when the sun never sets and beautiful autumns? In this book we meet 32 individuals, neither kings nor queens, but real people whose life stories give insights into historical events and everyday life in the Nordic countries over 500 years. Nordic Stories reveals much about the lives, beliefs and customs of Nordic people from the 16th century to the present day. It is based on diaries, letters and other personal testimony, illustrated with objects from Nordiska museet's astonishing collection. AUTHORS: Clara Block Hane was born in Lund in southern Sweden. She is a cultural journalist who has long written for Sweden's biggest daily newspapers, and is now an author, literary critic and journalist based in Stockholm. Sanne Houby-Nielsen is the director of Nordiska museet. SELLING POINTS: . The shared history of the Nordic countries told through 32 people of all countries, rich and poor, neither kings nor queens but real people . Amazing stories of real lives with rich and surprising historical background . 500 years of historical events summarised in four seasons a novel and distinctly Nordic approach . Unique and fascinating illustrations from the Nordiska museet collection