The Herd

how Sweden chose its own path through the worst pandemic in 100 years

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Pub Date 14 Apr 2022 | Archive Date 31 Mar 2022

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Description

A real-life thriller about a nation in crisis, and the controversial decisions its leaders made during the COVID-19 pandemic.


First, the government instituted no restrictions. Then, it didn’t order the wearing of face masks. While the rest of the world looked on with incredulity, condemnation, admiration, and even envy, a small country in Northern Europe stood alone. As COVID-19 spread across the globe rapidly, the world shut down. But Sweden remained open.


The Swedish COVID-19 strategy was 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 different path?


In The Herd, journalist Johan Anderberg narrates the improbable story of a small nation that took a startlingly different approach to fighting the virus, guiding the reader through the history of epidemiology and the ticking-clock decisions that pandemic decision-makers were faced with on a daily basis.

A real-life thriller about a nation in crisis, and the controversial decisions its leaders made during the COVID-19 pandemic.


First, the government instituted no restrictions. Then, it didn’t order...


Advance Praise

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


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.’ –...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781913348908
PRICE £16.99 (GBP)

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Average rating from 3 members


Featured Reviews

This reads like a history book, for me, except that the events happened in the not so distant past! This made it utterly captivating. We can all recount our own experiences of the pandemic, but reading this account of how it was experienced by Sweden's leading politicians / epidemiologist etc puts a whole new slant on it that is a real eye opener.

The author is a journalist, and with detailed background information relating to the main players he has clearly done his homework.

Sweden's approach to the pandemic is truly fascinating and it is a pleasure to be able to read about it in this well written portrayal.

My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

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Excellent journalism….. so well researched, It is well written and packed with interesting detail. I found it fascinating… I also found it difficult to put the book down once I’d started reading.

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