Engelska

<p>This is the definitive biography of rap supergroup and cultural icons, Wu-Tang Clan (WTC)<i>. </i>Heralded as one of the most influential groups in modern music-hip hop or otherwise-WTC created a rap dynasty on the strength of seven gold and platinum albums that launched the careers of such famous rappers as RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and more. During the '90s, they ushered in a hip-hop renaissance, rescuing rap from the corporate suites and bringing it back to the gritty streets where it started. In the process they changed the way business was conducted in an industry known for exploiting artists. Creatively, Wu-Tang pushed the boundaries of the artform dedicating themselves to lyrical mastery and sonic innovation, and one would be hard pressed to find a group who's had a bigger impact on the evolution of hip hop.<br/>S.H. Fernando Jr., a veteran music journalist who spent a significant amount of time with The Clan during their heyday of the '90s, has written extensively about the group for such publications as <i>Rolling Stone, Vibe, </i>and <i>The Source</i>. Over the years he has built up a formidable Wu-Tang archive that includes pages of unpublished interviews, videos of the group in action in the studio, and several notepads of accumulated memories and observations. Using such exclusive access as well as the wealth of open-source material, Fernando reconstructs the genesis and evolution of the group, delving into their unique ideology and range of influences, and detailing exactly how they changed the game and established a legacy that continues to this day. The book provides a startling portrait of overcoming adversity through self-empowerment and brotherhood, giving us unparalleled insights into what makes these nine young men from the ghetto tick. While celebrating the myriad accomplishments of The Clan, the book doesn't shy away from controversy-we're also privy to stories from their childhoods in the crack-infested hallways of Staten Island housing projects, stints in Rikers for gun possession, and million-dollar contracts that led to recklessness and drug overdoses (including Ol' Dirty Bastard's untimely death). More than simply a history of a single group, this book tells the story of a musical and cultural shift that started on the streets of Shaolin (Staten Island) and quickly spread around the world.<br/><br/>Biographies on such an influential outfit are surprisingly few, mostly focused on a single member of the group's story. This book weaves together interviews from all the Clan members, as well as their friends, family and collaborators to create a compelling narrative and the most three-dimensional portrait of Wu-Tang to date. It also puts The Clan within a social, cultural, and historical perspective to fully appreciate their impact and understand how they have become the cultural icons they are today. Unique in its breadth, scope, and access, <b><i>From The Streets of Shaolin</i></b> is a must-have for fans of WTC and music bios in general.</p>

The book tells the story of how the main building of the Nordic Museum came to be and also about selected architectural details and qualities. The publication is a new edition of the chapter Museibygget in the book Nordiska museet under 125 år from 1998.

Lucia celebrations on 13 December bring a gleam of light in the winter darkness. When there is hardly any daylight at all in the northern hemisphere, Lucia comes with hope of brighter times. The stately procession with a white-clad Lucia accompanied by her maids, star boys, and sometimes elves became common in the 1950s. But the feast of Lucia goes back much further in history, and it is one of the most varied traditions in Sweden. The celebrations can be traced back to several periods, places, and religions, and over the years it has been both simple and sumptuous, humorous and serious, innocent and indecent, sacred and profane, popular and aristocratic, private and public. Lucia provokes debate when many people claim to know how it should be celebrated, who should take part, and in what roles. This book spreads new light on a familiar tradition and invites further discussion. LENA KÄTTSTRÖM HÖÖK is an ethnologist and curator at the Nordic Museum, with responsibility for traditions and special occasions.

<p>The New Year brings an opportunity to start again, to try to ensure that conditions will be better for the next year. This book tells about the history of New Year celebrations in Sweden but also about local and regional variations and global themes. It is only according to the Western Gregorian calendar that the new year begins on 1 January. Parallel to this there are other New Year festivals at different times in the year. Some are linked to religion, others to specific countries and regions, and others to different seasons. Some are based on lunar or solar calendars and can have movable dates in the calendar, while others are fixed. In Sweden, partly as a consequence of migration, there are New Year celebrations all year round, and the book also examines these.</p><p>Lena Kättström Höök is an ethnologist and curator at the Nordic Museum in Stockholm, specializing in the study of traditions and festivals.</p>

Ett perfekt litet häfte, på 56 sidor, som berättar om 15 typiskt svenska saker och platser. En bok för turister såväl som för utländska gäster och vänner. "Swedish Icons presents a collection of Classic symbols from Sweden, all with an interesting story to tell. Why are there so many red buildings in Sweden? Where did we get the tradition of dressing the maypole? Did the Vikings really have horns on their helmets" Ikonerna som presenteras i boken är: dalahäst, älg, ren & samer, sill & strömming, midsommar, svenska flaggan, göta kanal, glasriket, polkagris, viking, fika, falu rödfärg, stockholms stadshus och gamla stan.