This book was written with the intent of introducing Sweden and the Swedes to English-speaking people. I also wanted to keep the level of English fairly simple so that it would be accessible to non-native English speakers.
Originally the idea was spawned by the questions from all the interesting guests I have had the pleasure of getting to know. All the time that I have spent in Britain or the USA has made me reflect upon my native country. This has given me a chance to embark on a ship of observation. Naturally with my prejudices, preconceived ideas, personal experience, friends and other Swedes, as seen on TV, portrayed in books and listened to on the bus, I have come to the conclusions on which this book is based.
Of course other Swedes may totally disagree with my opinions.
My aim has been to keep it at a personal and informal level. The reader can go through it at random, starting in the middle going backwards or forwards. Since the order is alphabetical it will be like doing something spontaneously. Housewives, Hugging, Humour, Ice-cream and Ikea will appear in that order, if you can call that order.
The book can be read in your home country before leaving or before not going at all. You can keep it in your hip pocket and read bits and pieces on sightseeing boats, in museum queues or in hotel rooms. It is mostly written in some kind of British English.
This is a light-hearted book, with the occasional tinge of serious-ness, and has absolutely no pretensions. All I want to give you is my picture of this diversified country that I love so much.
The writer of this book has in his selfish way reserved the paragraphs in this book to dispose as he wishes.
He takes almost full responsibility for the information in this book. The intent has been to entertain and inform in a less serious way. Do not judge the poor soul too hard, if facts have changed since the book´s birth or if texts have faults, due to lack of intelligence or knowledge. And, mind you, the writer is a Swedish citizen, who has never lived in an English-speaking country, only visited some of them. So pardon the language in its Swenglish shape.
Christer Amnéus used to teach English and German at an Upper Secondary School (students aged 16 – 19).He has published numerous books for educational use throughout his forty years in the classroom. Added to that, also some forty manuscripts for the Swedish Educational Radio.
Another important part of his career has been scripts for a dozen cabarets, a number of acts for entertainment use and lyrics for light pop music.
Since his retirement, he has spent a lot of time indulging in popular music, literature, genealogy and DNA.
He has a site: https://lagompublishing.com, where some of his books are introduced and where they can be ordered.