“The Scandinavian kingdoms were famously literate. Yet it is far from clear how these essentially rural societies achieved such impressive rates of reading ability. This outstanding collection of essays draws together a range of sophisticated and original studies, probing the reading practice, pedagogy, oral and print cultures of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Greenland between the 16th and the 18th centuries. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in this critical aspect of Early Modern Society.”—Andrew Pettegree, Professor of Modern History, University of St Andrews“This excellent collection of essays underlines the significant role of Lutheranism in generating a culture of reading and high levels of literacy in the Nordic countries in the early modern period. For anyone interested in the culture of reading and literacy in the early modern period this volume of essays on ‘the Lutheran North’ is important reading.”—Ole Peter Grell, Reader in History, The Open University