Bad Sea: The Stormy History of the Baltic Sea

By Ari Turunen

Bad Sea not only tells the history of this vital maritime region but also contemplates the future of the Baltic Sea, both politically and ecologically.

The fascinating history of Europe’s largest inland sea.

The Baltic Sea has been an important route for both trade and the spread of new ideas for centuries – both for better and for worse. The Romans called it Mare Barbarum, or the Sea of Barbarians. The legendary Vikings and later warrior kings also sailed its waters.

Connections between the cities established along the Baltic Sea’s shores have been strong, and we can still see their influence today. Port cities were the first to adopt new products, ideas, and trends. When the gates of these ports were closed for any reason, it drove nations into intellectual and economic decline.

Unfortunately, the Baltic Sea is also one of the most polluted seas in the world, a situation with roots stretching back decades. After World War II, vast amounts of waste were dumped into the Baltic as part of the East-West struggle.

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About the author

Ari Turunen is the editor-in-chief of the Finnish edition of Le Monde Diplomatique and a non-fiction author specialising in the history of customs and culture. He has written 13 books on cultural history and popular science. Turunen’s themes and approach are global and his books have been translated into 11 languages. He has also co-published extensively with several other non-fiction writers.In 2023 Turunen received the Nonfiction Writers’ Award, an annual award of merit to writers who have distinguished themselves in the field of nonfiction. The jury complimented his works as breathtakingly vast and multi-dimensional.