Hitler's Swedes/Lars Larsson (Helion)

[pasoleati]

Any reviews of this yet?

[macleod]

Hi

received my copy yesterday. I've not had a chance to read it yet, but a quick browse gave me a good impression. Nice to see a facial photo of Ragnar Johansson.

regards

macleod

[k9mike]

macleod,
Please give us some feedback as soon as you can about your initial thoughts on this one. I have not seen or heard about this one and am interested...
Thanks,
Mike

[macleod]

macleod,
Please give us some feedback as soon as you can about your initial thoughts on this one. I have not seen or heard about this one and am interested...
Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike

will do. Stand by...

regards

macleod

[Josh Cowell]

I've got mine and it's great. Serious scholarship and research went into this book. Good photos I've not seen before as well. Highly recommend it.

[MarcRikmenspoel]

I was privileged to read a few sections in draft format. I can't wait to see the finished book! Based on what I read so far, the book must be outstanding.

[k9mike]

Thank you All for the great input...
So many books....So little cash...
Mike

[macleod]

Hi

I've read perhaps a quarter of this book. I like it!
The book contains 319 pages and numerous photos (too many to bother counting), many of which I have not seen before (as already pointed out by Josh).
There are eleven chapters:
1. Sweden and the Second World War
2. National Socialism in Sweden
3. The Waffen-SS
4. Recruitment in Sweden
5. Swedish Volunteers in 5th SS Division 'Wiking'
6. Swedish Volunteers in the III. Germanisches SS-Panzer Korps
7. Swedish War Correspondents
8. Swedish Mountain Troops
9. Swedish SS Volunteers in Various Combat Formations
10. Swedish Non-conbatants in SS Service
11. Post-war Life and Consequences
Conclusion
Appendix: Swedish National Insignia in the SS
Sources

More than half the book (192 pages) is taken up by chapters 5 and 6, not surprisingly. Lots of interesting details.
The book itself is professionally produced, as one would expect from Helion. My one small criticism would be with Helion themselves. They could have improved the english a little bit at the editing stage.
Anyway, based on my limited reading of the book I would conclude this is a fine book and I recommend it to members. Now I must carry on reading...

regards

macleod

[schönbeck]

the writer is a member here ....and a good friend :-)

[Lasse L]

Dear all,

Firstly, thank you all for the kind words. As you might understand, it is rather nervous to release your first book - not knowing what the reactions going to be. However, with that said - I hope you enjoy the book, and please - feel free to criticise it. I am still learning and look forward to both your positive and negative feedback.

[k9mike]

Dear all,

Firstly, thank you all for the kind words. As you might understand, it is rather nervous to release your first book - not knowing what the reactions going to be. However, with that said - I hope you enjoy the book, and please - feel free to criticise it. I am still learning and look forward to both your positive and negative feedback.

Great to have you here commenting. I have heard a lot of good words about your book, and am interested in reading it. I have limited space and was wondering if you have thought of putting it in "Kindle" form...I tend to buy more of my books this way do to the space. Chris just recently got his Fine BoB book put on kindle and got it right away(great book). Any thoughts?
Mike

[TRAVLRSEASIA]

Hitler's Swedes

Anxiously awaiting my copy!

[pimberg]

Received my copy a few days ago.
This is a great book. Excellent research based on primary sources, well structured, good photo material, and the book is not padded out with unnecessary information not specifically relevant to the subject. The book is genuinely interesting to read from the first page to the last. It is an important addition to the documented/published history of the Waffen-SS.

I agree with one point made by a poster (macleod) above. The publisher could have improved the English a little bit at the editing stage. Nevertheless it's still a quality product published by Helion (and excellent to see a publisher using footnotes instead of endnotes).

Congratulations and thank you to Lars Larsson. Your very hard work, objectivity and sharing of your knowledge is really appreciated.

Peter (Melbourne / Australia)

[pasoleati]

My copy arrived yesterday. I have so far read 80 pages or so. So far I have found Mr. Larsson's style very good and the information very interesting. Though Larsson's English isn't perfect, to me (a non-native) it is quite good as the errors are more of a grammatical nature, i.e. military terminology is well in hand. A 5-star book otherwise, but some problems with editing take off one star, a few examples:
-no need to capitalize units (battalion, regiment etc.) when used as general terms
-Samuelsson is spelled at least once Samulesson
-Swedish politician "Bohman" should be IMHO "Boheman"
-"right of passage", not "rite of passage"

Plus in the foreword there is a section that should be unnecessary in a serious historical book...

[Herr Lyppe]

Mine's on it's way and looking forward to reading it. We have a great deal to thanks author's like Lars, Marc and Mark for information like this being made available and the time, effort and enthusiasm involved in such ventures.
Small grammatical errors are hardly the end of the world and unless it becomes a glaring problem throughout the text, is easily ignored. The value is in the quality of the information, which I consider myself fortunate enough to have access to in the first place.
It's also not common for an author to step into a public forum and offer himself for the good, the bad and the ugly. So many simply baulk at punter's opinions and it shows an earnest desire to produce a quality product. Kudos to him!