Folklore Fights the Nazis: Humor in Occupied Norway, 1940-45

Stokker, Kathleen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0299154440 ISBN 13: 9780299154448

Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press, 1997

During the German occupation of Norway during World War II, the Norwegians kept spirits high and fostered resistance by humour. The author examines how this seemingly frivolous humour in fact contributed to the development of a resistance mentality in a country stunned by the German invasion.

Review:

""Folklore Fights the Nazis concludes that Norwegians--traditionally regarded as serious-minded folks--employed a sly sense of humor at the expense of their invaders, even in the face of possible harsh retaliation."--Jack Hovelson, "Des Moines Register

""Folklore Fights the Nazis" concludes that Norwegians--traditionally regarded as serious-minded folks--employed a sly sense of humor at the expense of their invaders, even in the face of possible harsh retaliation."--Jack Hovelson, "Des Moines Register"

" An indispensable history of a nation' s resistance to occupation. . . . Stokker' s penetrating study shows folk humor as a form of psychological warfare." -- "Choice"

" "Folklore Fights the Nazis" concludes that Norwegians-- traditionally regarded as serious-minded folks-- employed a sly sense of humor at the expense of their invaders, even in the face of possible harsh retaliation." -- Jack Hovelson, "Des Moines Register"

0;An indispensable history of a nation7;s resistance to occupation. . . . Stokker7;s penetrating study shows folk humor as a form of psychological warfare.1;2; "Choice"

0; "Folklore Fights the Nazis" concludes that Norwegians2;traditionally regarded as serious-minded folks2;employed a sly sense of humor at the expense of their invaders, even in the face of possible harsh retaliation.1;2;Jack Hovelson, "Des Moines Register"

"Folklore Fights the Nazis" concludes that Norwegians traditionally regarded as serious-minded folks employed a sly sense of humor at the expense of their invaders, even in the face of possible harsh retaliation. Jack Hovelson, "Des Moines Register""

An indispensable history of a nation s resistance to occupation. . . . Stokker s penetrating study shows folk humor as a form of psychological warfare. Choice"

Folklore Fights the Nazis concludes that Norwegians traditionally regarded as serious-minded folks employed a sly sense of humor at the expense of their invaders, even in the face of possible harsh retaliation. Jack Hovelson, Des Moines Register"

"An indispensable history of a nation's resistance to occupation. . . . Stokker's penetrating study shows folk humor as a form of psychological warfare."--Choice

From the Author:

What was everyday life like during the occupation?
For Norway -- as for America -- World War II was a defining experience. "Folklore Fights the Nazis" shows how the unprecedented challenges of the occupation united Norway as it had never been before. The courage, loyalty, and common sense of everyday people -- as reflected in their still funny, quick-witted humor -- show why those who endured the Second World War deserve the title recently confirmed by Tom Brokaw as "the greatest generation." Who else would have thought of getting back at the Nazi order that he supply more eggs than this farmer from West Norway who wrote back, "I recieved your letter of three weeks ago and immediately placed it in the hen house so the chickens could see for themselves what they were supposed to do. In as much as they, after three weeks, did not start laying more eggs, I lined them up before a firing squad and had them executed for sabborage against the German war effort."