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Title: Culture Shock! Denmark by Morten Strange ISBN: 1-55868-762-9 Publisher: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co. Pub. Date: May, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.91 (11 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Focuses on PEOPLE, not BUILDINGS
Comment: This book is a dream come true for the serious traveler to Denmark who really wants to know about the Danish people, not just their historic sites, architecture and museums. This is not a travel guide, but it is a map of the heart and soul of the people who inhabit the country.
Strange teases out all the uniquenesses and eccentricities of his fellow countrymen, and, because he has lived and worked outside of Denmark, is able to compare the Danish culture with others, notably American and British culture.
The book is chock full of facts and statistics about Denmark, and, though it is written ostensibly for people who are moving to the country, I found it excellent preparation for my upcoming two-week vacation in Denmark. I feel that I have a headstart now in entering into conversations with people and interpreting their actions and reactions. Even the parts that are specific to those who will live in Denmark are interesting, as they give insight to the way Danes live their everyday life.
Lest this book be labeled a "Chamber of Commerce"-style full-length advertisement for Denmark, it is important to point out that Strange is blatantly honest about the shortcomings he sees in his country.
Overall, this book is an easy read, with short, digestible chapters. It has convinced me to check out the "Culture Shock" books for all of the countries I will travel to in the future.
Rating: 2
Summary: Interesting, but more discouraging than insightful.
Comment: I purchased this book prior to moving to Denmark from the US. This was the second Culture Shock book which I purchased and I have been disappointed with both books. Overall, I find the Culture Shock series to present the worse stereotypes of a culture. Some people may find these stereotypes to be true, but I certainly have not experienced all of the difficulties which the author has described. The author is Danish, but has returned to Denmark after living in Asia for a good number of years. You will find the author lamenting about such things as not being able to find someone to wire his stereo for him which he blames on the Danish mind of being self sufficient. I do think that the author does have some valuable insights into the Danish culture, particularly the welfare state. However, overall I found the advice to be discouraging rather than useful and not indicative of what I have experience during my past year and a half in Denmark. I would recommend referencing one of the guide books such as Rough Guide or Lonely Planet instead.
Rating: 3
Summary: some good advice, but disdain for dk permeates text
Comment: I'm an American who lived in DK for a time and am returning. I thought the book would help because I had some problems previosly adjusting to danish culture. For example, it took me a long time to realize that cultural traits such as no customer service, the lack of polite words in the language itself and the general shyness of people wasn't personal. (i actually hated some things) But this author goes so far as to hate every aspect of danish culture to the point where it becomes a distraction. He hates the people, the weather, the countryside, the government, tax. At the end of the book he leaves the country because he couldn't adjust. So, don't expect this book to help you adjust and don't take the text that seriously. The author has a very skewed, seeming angry perspective of DK (even from my pov as someone with a few grudges against the country...I found myself taking the danish side) It may be helpful still to have a basic overview and it gives some advice on where to look for a job, orgs to contact for help, ect. Overall the book was slightly useful but some of it is untrue and prejudiced.
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Title: Berlitz Danish-English Dictionary by Berlitz Publishing ISBN: 2831563054 Publisher: Berlitz Travel Guide Pub. Date: August, 1998 List Price(USD): $7.95 |
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Title: Lonely Planet Denmark (LONELY PLANET DENMARK) by Glenda Bendure, Ned Friary ISBN: 1740590759 Publisher: Lonely Planet Pub. Date: February, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: Teach Yourself Basic Danish : Complete Course Package (Audio Cassette) by Bente Elsworth, Teach Yourself Publishing ISBN: 0844238562 Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books Pub. Date: February, 1995 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Danes by Helen Dyrbye, Steven Harris, Thomas Golzen ISBN: 1902825241 Publisher: Globe Pequot Pr Pub. Date: 01 March, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.95 |
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Title: Danish Cassette Pack with Phrase Book by Berlitz Editorial Staff, Berlitz Publishing ISBN: 2831577411 Publisher: Berlitz Travel Guide Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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