In the spring of 2020, as a new and deadly virus rapidly spread across the globe, the world shut down. But a small country in Northern Europe remained open.
The Swedish COVID-19 strategy has been alternately lauded and held up as a cautionary tale by international governments and journalists alike - with all eyes on what has been dubbed 'The Swedish Experiment'. But what made Sweden take such a deviating path?
In The Herd, journalist Johan Anderberg narrates the improbable story of a nation that took a startlingly different approach to fighting the greatest global pandemic in over one hundred years. First, it was no restrictions. Then, it was no face masks. While the rest of the world looked on with incredulity, condemnation, admiration, or even envy, Sweden stood alone.
But The Herd is more than just a look at the evolution of the Swedish COVID-19 strategy. With ease, Anderberg guides the reader through the history of epidemiology, R0-rates, inoculation, and international organisations and strategies. He also presents a colourful cast of characters and the ticking-clock decisions they were faced with on a daily basis. Weaving past and present with effortless buoyancy, Anderberg has written an everyman's guide to everything you want to know about the pandemic that reads like a thriller.
'The Herd is a thrilling read about tight-knit groups of microbiologists and epidemiologists, old grudges, new alliances, and fiery emails ... Anderberg is ambitious, knowledgeable, and fearless.'
-Dagens Nyheter
'The Herd is exemplary journalism of the kind that comes close to the truth through skilled craftsmanship. Anderberg portrays the events in the right order. He relies on relevant facts. He puts the last year in a historical context. He examines without preconceived opinions ... Anderberg's book is like a Corona commission in its own right and a beautiful example of the important role journalism plays in the service of the truth.'
-Barometern
'Reading Johan Anderberg's book is not just a way to get perspective and background, detailed descriptions of how the Swedish strategy was formed and what it led to. It is also a way to be released from the debate, both in social and other media. It is extremely cooling. The Herd is no debate book; it is a nuanced report from an incredibly strange time. So strange you need help finding the words to talk about it.'
-Aftonbladet
