Friluftsliv & Frozen Fjords: A Wintery Expedition into Norwegian Happiness & Well-Being (Dr. Dawn McQuistion & Mr. Tim Brown)

"Nature First combines the Scandinavian approach to creating a relationship with nature (known as friluftsliv) with efforts by Canadian and international educators to adapt this wisdom and apply it to everyday life experiences in the open air. The word friluftsliv literally refers to 'free-air life,' or outdoor life. A word saturated with values, the concept can permeate deeply and playfully into ones cultural being and personal psyche, thus influencing the way one perceives and interacts with nature on a daily basis. For centuries, the North American approach has been one of domination and bringing nature under control, in many cases abusing our natural environment in the process. The friluftsliv way of being on 'talking terms with nature,' developing an 'insider's' relationship with nature, offers the rich potential of allowing us as cohabiters on the Earth to recreate, rejuvenate, and restore the balance among all living things. Nature First is the first English-language anthology to bring together the perspectives and experiences of North American, Norwegian, Swedish, and other international outdoor writers, all friluftsliv thinkers and doers. Here, the thirty contributors' uses of history, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and outdoor education writings blend to provide an understanding of how friluftsliv applies to everyday life"--Description from the publisher.

"This book doesn't only include nature knowledge, techniques in the outdoors, and outdoor pedagogics, but also covers ecology, human ecology, geography, environmental and societal questions, history, health, biology, craft, and lots of practical activities--both for urban and rural friluftsliv. In this translation to English of the revised fifth edition of the Swedish book there are many activities and the text is suitable for the modern day. Friluftsliv embraces the feeling around the campfire, paddling along winding rivers and walking towards the distant blue mountains. But, it is also to whittle a stick, to remember your waterproofs and to find your way home. Knowledge emerges when you combine imagination with facts and the glint in your eyes, using all our outdoor environments: forests, water, the coast, mountains and the nature close at hand. Emotion is to swim in crystal clear water far out in the archipelago and to see the clouds gliding across the sky. But also, to be able to present other sides of yourself, to be fascinated by your own body, the struggling ant and the sight of frost on trees. Quality of life is to experience friluftsliv - as it happens!"--Description from the publisher.

"An authoritative, comprehensive, and highly accessible assessment of the happiest and least happy countries and cities in the world, as well as of the happiest and least happy cities and states in the United States"--Description from the publisher. Includes a chapter on Norway.

"Need to know it all? Our all-inclusive culture report for Norway will get up to speed on all aspects of culture in Norway, including lifecycle, religion, women, superstitions & folklore, sports, holidays & festivals, and etiquette"--Description from the publisher.