Helsinki: The History of a Nordic City [Hardcover]

The epic story of Helsinki--founded by Sweden, refashioned by Russia, forever shaped by the sea.Over 475 years, the Finnish capital has gone from a sleepy fishing village to a thriving Nordic metropolis, globally renowned for its architecture, design and quality of life. This intricate and expansive new history lays bare the perils--and occasional perks--of Helsinki's position on the Baltic Sea, sandwiched between East and West.In flowing prose and fascinating anecdotes, Henrik Meinander explores all corners of Helsinki's past, from trade and the Olympics to the color of everyday life. He narrates the city's survival through the rise and fall of two empires; its triumph as an independent capital in 1917; and how, since then, it has grown and flourished through language battles, Soviet air raids and Cold War compromises.More than most European capitals, Helsinki has spent centuries at the mercy of geopolitical twists and turns far beyond its control. This book is a timely reminder of how quickly such forces can alter a city's destiny--yet, ultimately, can be overcome.1. The Harbor2. In The Glow of Suomenlinna3. The Capital City4. Industry and Independence5. The Heart of the Republic6. Cold War Climates7. The Northern European MetropolisHenrik Meinander is Professor of History at the University of Helsinki, formerly curator of Helsinki's Mannerheim Museum and head of the Finnish Institute in Stockholm. His many books on Finnish and Nordic history include the award-winningMannerheim, Marshal of Finland, andA History of Finland(both published available from Oxford University Press), which has been translated into seventeen languages. An excellent read from a deeply knowledgeable author. This lively, often funny social history guides readers through Helsinki's past, never losing sight of the bigger picture. The city's story is skillfully interwoven with the dramatic wars and geopolitics of Finnish history. -- Patrick Salmon, Chief Historian, UK ForeignlÓè