Eric Dregni / Vikings in the Attic

BOOK LAUNCH EVENT

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Common Good Books presents Minnesotan author Eric Dregni's new book,

Vikings in the Attic: In Search of Nordic America

AT THE SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH

Book Reading / Presentation / Discussion / Signing

Who are these rather odd Scandinavians in our midst?

What does it actually to grow up Scandinavian-American or to live with Norwegians, Swedes, Finns, Danes, and Icelanders among us? In Vikings in the Attic, Dregni tracks down and explores the significant --and quite often bizarre-- historic sites, tales, and traditions of Scandinavia's peculiar colony in the Midwest. It's a legacy of the unique --collecting silver spoons, a suspicion of flashy clothing, shots of turpentine for the common cold, and a deep love of rhubarb pie-- but also one of poor immigrants living in sod houses while their children attend college, the birth of the co-op movement, the Farmer-Labor party, and government agents spying on Scandinavian meetings hoping to nab a socialist or antiwar activist.

"While reading Vikings in the Attic, I solved two family mysteries and added at least ten new jokes to my act."--Louie Anderson

*refreshements will be served