Perhaps the most ethereal and beautiful astronomical sight available to regular old humans, the auroras borealis and australis, the Northern and Southern Lights have amazed and inspired us for our whole existence on earth.

One of the better places to see the Northern Lights is northern Sweden, and this episode covers the five years in which Sweden was the dominant military force on the planet: the brief, happy campaign of Gustavus Adolphus. We'll discuss his triumphs, his disasters, and his impact on the Thirty Years War.

Listener Krister Torneke returns to talk about his home country - he'll be back next month as well!

And of course, we make Swedish meatballs! Extra bonus points if you find all the ABBA references!