List of illustrations

Maps

Preface

1: From prehistory to Viking hegemony

2: Formation and growth of the Swedish state

3: Territorial consolidation of Sweden

4: Towards a centralist and military state

5: Collapse of absolutism and the age of freedom

6: Royal absolutism restored

7: Constitutional Sweden

8: Industrialization and capitalization of Sweden

9: World wars and Swedish neutrality

10: Triumph of the Swedish welfare state

Conclusion

Appendices

1: Chronology

2: Monarchs and regents of Sweden

3: Prime ministers

Selected further reading

Index.