Posted by Marianne on 3/7/2009, 20:48:17, in reply to "Book corner - what are you reading now?"
80.57.20.132
Having recently visited the - very exciting and overwhelming - Amsterdam Hermitage I have started re-reading Coryne Halls' terrific account of Kejserinde Dagmar ("Little Mother Russia") which contains lots of info and details 
Dag, I received "Makten" (by Tor Bomann-Larsen) some time ago but I still marvel at the choice of words & expressions the author used to clearify certain points-of-view, political situations & how he highlighted the (strong) emotions of those days.
'Delicious' to read (if I may say so....)
The author draws a red line between the way the Tzar behaved & the way his english cousin acted plus, very detailed, how those two neighbouring and closely related Monarchs in Norway & Denmark acted during those roaring times.
"Makten" (Power) is, above all, about King Haakon VII's way of adapting to the fast shifting political moods in those years but, nonetheless, clearly showing how he kept his (constitutional) balance, despite uproars / strikes and communist influences.
This book shows that Haakon did a lot on his own, consulted various political figures and showed great integrity when searching for the right solution in times of governmental crises. Even to the point where he was willing to give up his (brand new) throne if circumstances were to require so. He was not willing to just give in, in times of trouble, he wanted to be absolutely certain that it was always the people's demand that was to be the base for his existence in Norway.
Although this 4rth volume has a highly political character it gives much insight about the strict way H7 wanted to be King and says a great deal about the man himself in the context of those very disturbing years!
