New Book by Mats Dagerlind and Håkan Johansson – This Year's Christmas Gift

In the book, Samnytt’s political editor Mats Dagerlind and the newspaper’s regular columnist Håkan Johansson collect 42 essays, opinion pieces, and political or intellectual-historical reflections written over a five-year period. The texts cover issues such as migration policy, cultural conflicts, the role of the media, ideological choices, and the prerequisites for democracy.

The authors describe the book as an attempt to examine the present through fact-based reasoning combined with personal reflections. Already in the foreword, the framework is set with a quote from the philosopher and writer Ayn Rand:

“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”

A recurring theme in the book is summarized in the essay ‘The Left’s Deliberate Dumbing Down of Public Discourse’ – a central reason why so much in society and politics has gone wrong and why so many haven’t been able to see it coming when it otherwise would have been obvious.

Samnytt exchanged a few words with editorial veteran Mats Dagerlind ahead of the book launch.

What has it been like to make the shift from journalist to author?

– Not that big of a step, really. It’s not a novel but a collection of political essays, so I’ve stuck to my usual turf, so to speak.

Why did you feel that this required a book?

– My co-author here, Håkan, has previously published two books in the genre and has long pressed me on the fact that what I write maintains a level of standard and relevance that also justifies book publication. Eventually, I agreed. Whether he’s right or not, readers will have to decide after reading the book.

Mats Dagerlind together with his dog Totte. Photo: Private

What was the biggest difference between writing as a journalist and writing a book?

– Not a huge difference, mostly that as a journalist at Samnytt, I write both news and opinion, whereas the book is solely opinion.

What was most difficult and what was most enjoyable during the process?

– The hardest part was compiling material suitable for book publication, determining what won’t lose its relevance immediately but can still feel pertinent to read tomorrow, in a year, or as a time document for my grandchildren. The most enjoyable part, as always, is the writing itself—being creative—and, of course, now holding the finished book in my hand.

Dagerlind’s Book Vi som såg det komma

Vi som såg det komma is published by Runeskrift förlag (Bookea Vulkan Group AB) and is available in bookstores in both print and digital forms.

Ordering and price:

The book is available in bookstores in both print and digital versions.
The printed edition can also be purchased directly from the publisher at a special price: 195 SEK + shipping.
Order by emailing [email protected]

Buy the book for yourself or give it as a Christmas present ???? to someone interested in public debate and contemporary politics, or to someone in need of a political awakening.