Vikings in the Attic: In Search of Nordic America
By Eric Dregni
“Eric Dregni provides relaxed, humorous, and expert guidance as he reveals new and unexpected truths about familiar terrain.”
–Minnesota History
“Vikings in the Attic is serious, fun, and full of Scandinavian insights.”
–Chicago Tribune
“This is a hugely enjoyable book that has plenty of history decked out in an entertaining fashion.”
-Flyoverland
“While reading Vikings in the Attic, I solved two family mysteries and added at least ten new jokes to my act.”
-Louie Anderson
What does it actually mean to grow up Scandinavian American or to live with the Norwegians, Swedes, Finns, Danes, and Icelanders among us? In Vikings in the Attic, Eric Dregni tracks down and explores the significant – and quite often bizarre – historic sites, tales, and traditions of Scandinavia’s peculiar colony in the Midwest. For all the tales his grandparents told him, he quickly discovers quite a few they neglected to mention. Ultimately, Dregni proves by example why generations of Scandinavian Americans have come to love and cherish these tales and traditions so dearly.
Eric Dregni is associate professor of English at Concordia University in St. Paul. He is the author of several books, including In Cod We Trust: Living the Norwegian Dream (2008) and Never Trust a Thin Cook and Other Lessons from Italy’s Culinary Capital (2009), both published by the University of Minnesota Press. He lives in Minneapolis.
