The Agrarian History of Sweden

From 4000 BC to AD 2000

Janken Myrdal & Mats Morell (red.)

This is the first comprehensive account in English of the agrarian history of Sweden from Neolithic times up to the present. It focuses on the men and women who cultivated the land, the technologies they developed and the way they farmed. What was produced and what quality of life did the farmers have?

The Agrarian History of Sweden is written by the leading specialists in the field who have brought their profound knowledge and enthusiasm to the rich descriptions of crops, landscapes, animals, and farms in different regions and periods.

With a chronological approach, the authors investigate the relationships and interactions between different groups in society: the bonds between landowners, peasants and labourers, the distribution of work and responsibilities between men and women, the livelihood of the Sami people, and the interdependence between agriculture and other industries in Sweden.

The authors draw a wide range of international comparisons, and place the specifics of Swedish agriculture in an international context. The Agrarian History of Sweden is useful and inspiring reading for students, scholars, and indeed for anyone with an interest in Swedish history.