Anu Partanen (2) (1975–)

This is the most amazing book and I just have to rave about it. It will be near the top of the list for best reads of the year for me. The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life by Anu Partanen is written by a skilled Finnish born and raised journalist who is presently living in the U.S. with her American husband. It is a comparison/contrast between the two cultures in all the critical features that bring us peace and happiness....affordable high quality health care, day show more care, education, living wages, paid vacations, independence (and more) so that we can devote ourselves to the things that really matter.. I could quote paragraph after paragraph where she "gets" things argued or researched perfectly in favour of the "Nordic Way of Love" where equity of access and independence is the huge critical societal feature. Oh boy do they have things figured out!

I am writing this as a Canadian and many of her concerns are true in our world as well. The "luck of birth" favours us greatly or unfairly too. She convincingly argues that a culture of equity gives advantage to all. For our future well being the playing field must be leveled at the very least at the starting gate and in childhood. show less

This book gave me so much to think about. She plays the greatest hits of aspects of American society that have never made much sense to me, and contrasts our lifestyles with those of her home country, Finland. Why in the USA are women forced back to work so early after giving birth? Why do we have such a patchwork of uneven child care? Why are our schools focusing so early on academics, rather than allowing children to play and experience the world while young? Why are we so focused on show more testing, rather than real learning? And I don't even have room for all of the questions I have about our still vastly unfair health care system. or our workaholic lifestyles. These are not new concerns for me. These are things I have wondered about for decades.

This book gives me insight into another way of doing things, also not perfect, but far ahead in terms of providing a secure existence for its citizens. I think this very important book will open the eyes of many Americans, and encourage us to demand a better life from our system of government. show less

This book was an eye-opener: Well written, and clearly made the point as to why the United States is loosing in economic competitiveness, its people being the most "free" in the world, and not ranking as well in happiness, effectiveness of education, and more. What is really shame is the United States has chosen the path which has resulted in this -- mainly through disinformation. For example it is not the Nordic countries that are socialist "nanny states," but instead it is the United show more States which has become the nation that is enmeshed in unhealthy dependencies than we realize. The book focuses on four key issues: (1) family, parents and children; (2) men and women; (3) employees and employers; (4) government and citizens. show less

I'm not sure what I expected but this was a very good read. The author is a native Finn who moved to America and eventually married an American and became and American citizen in the early 2000s. She is also a professional journalist so can really tell a good story with solid facts behind it as well as her own personal insight. She set up a very clear set of reasons for why she feels the Nordic model works and how it could benefit the States. Well written, well argued and engaging. I would show more really like to see at least some of these things put into practice at the state level and perhaps start to influence federal policy. show less