First published in 1993, Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia covers every aspect of the region during the Middle Ages, including rulers and saints, overviews of the countries, religion, education, politics and law, culture and material life, history, literature, and art. Written by a team of expert contributors, the encyclopedia offers those who lack command of the various Scandinavian languages a basic tool for the study of Medieval Scandinavia from roughly the Migration Period to the Reformation. With full-page maps, useful supplementary photos, cross-references and a comprehensive index, this work will be a valuable and absorbing volume for students of the Norse sagas, the Viking age, and Old English history and literature, and for anyone interested in the cultural and historical heritage of Scandinavia.

Updated from the 1981 edition to include works from after Finland joined the European Union in 1995. Cites and briefly describes sources on geography, history, population, religion, politics and government, economy and finance, employment, the environment, education, languages, literature, arts, periodicals, and other aspects of the country. Also cites children's books, encyclopedias, and other bibliographies. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The word 'everyday' is usually loaded with decidedly negative connotations. However, domestic everyday activities are not merely routine work, but also include complex, demanding tasks to solve. Even though everyday problem solving does not necessarily follow logical pathways, it is sensible and effective in handling practical problems. The studies presented in this book explore domestic everyday making, in terms of the kinds of cognitive, social, and practical tasks being faced and the types of skills needed in solving these tasks. The studies also illustrate the different research strategies appropriate to the investigation of the art and skills of domestic everyday making. The target audience of this book includes researchers and students of family and consumer studies, home economics and craft sciences, cultural studies and sociology. Because of the twofold aim of the book, it can be used as a textbook for both content as well as methodological studies.

Material culture records human intrusion in the environment. It is the way we imagine a distinction between nature and culture, and then rebuild nature to our own desire, by shaping, reshaping, and arranging things during our lifetimes. We live in material culture, depend upon it, take it for granted, and realize through it our grandest aspirations.