Stockholm

Book excerpt: Situated on one of the world's most beautiful harbors, Stockholm has set the benchmark for civilized urban living since the time of the Vikings. Tony Griffiths reveals a city of power, intrigue, and murder; of scientists and investors; and a sensual city, home of Greta Garbo and the smörgåsbord. Its medieval period saw the Vasa dynasty turn a small town into the capital of a dominant European power and a major trading port. In the Napoleonic era, Stockholm established itself as a center of both technical and social innovation. While the city has suffered more than its fair share of misfortune, Stockholm's cultural and commercial elite transformed it into a community which now welcomes innovation and spreads the fruits of its achievements far beyond its borders.