Some people are aware that the Nordic countries excel in education, gender equality, prosperity, human rights, health care, technology, environmental issues, and responsive democracy. And, it is not a new idea that Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden lead the world in progress because of culture. But, is culture really the foundation of progress, and if so what specific Nordic attitudes and values influence progress? Is Nordic culture a hand-me-down from England; if not, where did it come from? How do Nordic attitudes and values compare with their counterparts in the United States, and what are the consequences of cultural differences? Exploring an Alien Culture answers these questions. A few of the answers may seem obvious, but more often the answers are suprising and sometimes they are disturbing. Readers will come away with an overview of both Nordic culture and American culture--why we do things the way we do--which will enable them to weigh and interpret current events or issues.