Beyond
the Cold: An American’s Warm Portrait of Norway pressroom has everything
a journalist needs: press releases about Michael
Kleiner, with multimedia content including different size photos
of the author and book covers, and reviews.
There is also a form below to arrange an interview.
Contact Information: Michael Kleiner
215.704.2397
pr@beyondthecold.com
PRESS RELEASE
What
effect does a year spent in another country have on a child? Is it just
another year in his childhood
no different than any of the others? Or can it be a turning point influencing
his future endeavors, work, opinions, relations with people? Can he adopt
a
culture not his own? What happens when he returns to that country as an adult
and then makes subsequent visits?
Michael Kleiner takes us
on an interesting and unique journey -- his journey -- in Beyond the Cold:
An American’s Warm Portrait of Norway (Infinity Publishing), from
living in Norway as an 11-year old with his family to returning for the first
time 16 years later as an adult through five more visits, one that includes
a summer attending the International Summer School at the University of Oslo
with 500 students from 70 countries, and finally his honeymoon. Writing in a
journal style with warmth, sensitivity, humor, caring, and insight,
Kleiner shows how he develops a strong affinity, appreciation and passion for
this Northern country, its culture, beauty and people. As the story progresses,
he moves beyond just the wonderful reunions with friends and descriptions of
his experiences and travels around the country, to making commentary on Norwegian
and American societies. This timeline from childhood to adulthood makes the
book different than usual travel essay type books which are written only from
adult perspectives. He succeeds in debunking a few myths about Norway, as a
country of only cold weather and cold people, thus the title, Beyond the
Cold. Interspersed between his trips -- which are usually a few years apart
-- he tells us what is happening in his life here in America.While discovering
the value of multicultural experience and a second home, he unknowingly fulfills
his father’s unconscious purposes in bringing the family to Norway.
Robert
Kleiner served in Norway in the army after World War II (right in 1946)
and fell in love with the country.
He promised when he had a family he would take them there someday. That promise
was realized in 1969 when as a professor of sociology at Temple University,
he received a sabbatical to do research and chose Norway to do it. What father
and son would not realize was how life altering the year overseas would
be.
“Actually
my interest in knowing about this country started before we even left,”
says Michael. “My father recalls telling me about his experiences in Norway
as a soldier at the end of World War II and that Norway had won the most medals
at the 1968 Winter Olympics. For the 1968 Christmas holiday program at my school,
the theme was the winter wonderland and each student in my fifth grade class
had to pick a country to represent and I chose Norway. As a way of telling my
class about my impending trip, I presented a report on Norway. Since then through
my actual experiences in Norway and with Norwegians, my learning and fondness
has been enhanced.”
Michael did not
return to Norway until 1986 as 27-year old adult, which was very emotional
and nostalgic. As he writes in that chapter: “It is not many people who
can return to a place 16 years after being there, having crossed a childhood-adult
timeline...Perhaps, this trip was a type of rite of passage, a final crossing
between childhood and adulthood.”
How powerful a
year abroad can have on a child shows itself in two examples. The first
chapter
about the year away is written from memory -- by what happened in each month.
When Michael’s Norwegian friend, Eivind, prepared to return to the
United States 20 years after living here with his family, he commented, “It’s
strange. I don’t remember much about my life before the year in America,
but remember things vividly from that year. Then I came home. I remember
some
things from high school. I talked to (his brother) Olav about it and he said
the same thing.”
Dr. Kleiner writes in the
Foreword, “I had no idea of the depth of the meaning this experience had
for Michael, or what it would lead to in the intervening years. During those
years, the family saw his affection for the country mature and his appreciation
of its culture, its social system, language and people grow as well. The family
witnessed his reading, traveling, writing and talking about Norway, as well
as his commitment to studying the language. As the plans and discussions for
the book began to crystallize, I became increasingly aware and impressed with
how much people miss in the experiences and emotional reactions of those close
to them even though they may be together physically. When we share those same
experiences, we may laugh together; we may cry together; or do the opposite
at the same time. We don’t always know what stimulates such reactions
in others, although we often think we do.”
With his subsequent visits,
Michael not only felt he had a second home but a Norwegian family, despite
the time that passed between trips. When the idea
of a book came to mind, “The friendliness, warmth, genuineness and generosity
of the Norwegian people were the most important aspects I wanted to convey,”
he writes in the Introduction. “The people I am writing about are our
friends and not the readers’. The average traveler will not know anyone
in Norway who can help them enjoy the country. As I had experiences with
Norwegians
outside this established circle of friends, it reinforced my feelings about
the sincerity of the Norwegian people.”
Dr. Kleiner also
believes that the special qualities of the book lie in the fact that it can’t
be strictly characterized as a travel book. “Friends
and colleague ask: ‘Is it a travel book? Is it autobiographical?
Is it psychological?’ It is not any of these specifically. It is all
of these and more. It is about a relationship between an individual and a
country
he came to know over a 35-year period. It is about how an individual, from
childhood to adulthood, was repeatedly influenced by accumulating past experiences
and
by new ones in that relationship. As the book unfolds, he shows with great
skill how Norway’s natural environment, history, culture and the characteristics
of its people permeated and molded this relationship and how it influenced
the
author himself. He also juxtaposes this process with the influences of selective
aspects of American history, culture, and the characteristics of many Americans
during this same period of time and himself as well. However, the reader may not be looking for all of these complexities, and may
only be interested in having a warm intimate experience with Norway. This book
will provide just such an experience.”
Contact Michael
Kleiner, 215.704.2397; pr@beyondthecold.com
“Kleiner
spent only a year in Norway as a 10-year-old, but its culture and people
drew him back again and again. In this memoir, Kleiner, a Norwegian
expert and sportswriter, recalls memories of a reindeer sleigh ride
and a snow-covered schoolyard in 1970, the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994,
and more.”
The
National Geographic Traveler
48 Hours in Oslo blog, ‘Books about Norway,’ right there with Sigrid
Undset and Henrik Ibsem
“Michael
Kleiner’s book is an interesting combination of a diary, travelogue
and autobiography, regarding the country and people of Norway from the perspective
of a young boy to a grown man. During seven visits to Norway, he develops
the theme of his warm, intimate experiences in Norway. With each visit, he
dispels the myth of the reserved, somewhat cold and hard to get to know persona
of Norwegians to one of friendliness, warmth, integrity, and generosity of
the north people.
“As
a child of eleven in 1970, he describes the school system with different schedules
every day and school on Saturday morning! Norwegians loved Donald Duck, had
only one TV station with no commercials, skied everywhere and shopped in specialty
stores. The idea of being snowbound was not a concept, and darkness never
stopped any activity. In these early years his love for Freia Chocolate and
Maarud Potato Chips began a lifetime of indulgence.
“At
27 years of age, a winter visit described -10 degrees F and six hours of light
in winter and only 6 hours of darkness in summer. Unlike in America, one foot
of snow three times per week did not prove to be a problem to getting around
with a car, walking, or skiing. It was during this visit that he described
Oslo and the constant views of water and mountains as well as the many museums
available: Kon Tki/Ra, Maritime, Fram Polarship and Viking Museums.
“He
beautifully described the Frognerseteren Park where people went to walk and
ski and the Frogner (Vigeland) Park where the cycle of life sculptures proved
to be fun and free. Also, he described the Norway Resistance Museum, detailing
the 1940-45 German occupation of Norway. Being Jewish, he described the Jewish
Community of 825 Jews in Oslo and their hospitality to him. He noted that
he was not just visiting a city, but a city with people who not only made
it enjoyable but revitalized and restored his faith in human kindness.
“Kleiner’s
two visits in 1990 provide detailed descriptions of the Heroes of Telemark
and their destruction of the heavy water factory (Vemork), which was occupied
by the Germans. He elaborated on the Jews in Norway before and after the war
compared to those living in Sweden and Denmark. And by so doing, he described
the Nordic concept of justice. He went on to paint his return visit to the
Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the beauty of Lillehammer and the train trip to Bergen,
including the resort town of Geilo, which brought back memories of a great
reindeer sled ride expedition with the Sami people as a child. His descriptions
of Voss and Dale (the sweater town) were picturesque. Arriving in Bergen,
he noted that it was always raining!
“Kleiner
visited again for eight weeks of language training at the International Summer
School in Oslo in 1992, hoping that being fluent in Norwegian would land him
a job at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Although being interviewed
and treated “royally” by the Olympic officials, he did not receive
a job offer. As part of learning the culture, he describes travel to a 100
acre teaching farm, the discussion of the problems with immigrant populations
and public assistance programs, and an exciting trip above the Arctic Circle
to the Lofoten Islands.
“Visiting
again with his friend, Mark in 1996, he again brought up the potato chips
and chocolate, the ever popular Peppe's Pizza, the Aker Brygge, where the
museums were located, the political system of 8 parties, and the description
of the health care system as described by a medical doctor friend.
“The
last trip was in August of 1997 with his wife Lisa on their honeymoon, when
he returned to beloved places and explored north of Oslo, Geiranger, West
Cape, Selje and Bergen. Visiting old friends, with whom the reader becomes
familiar, he describes their generosity to him and his wife.
“Certainly,
Michael Kleiner shares many beautiful trips, everyday foods, and many humorous
stories of the kind people called Norwegians. Some observations reiterated
throughout the book include:
“
- Norwegians are relaxed, less tense and less fast-paced
than we Americans.
- Norway makes him believe in the potential of human
kindness and friendship.
- There is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing.
- Darkness does not stop a Norwegian.
- Feet are a means of transportation.
- Red is cheaper paint while white paint shows a
bit of wealth - hence all the red houses and barns with white trim in Norway
and red barns through the mid and upper Midwest and great northern plains
in America.
“Michael
Kleiner has created a refreshing story of a beautiful country filled with uniquely
kind people. It is well worth reading! ”
Jean Peyer, Sons of Norway,
Long Island, NY
“The
author clearly loves Norway. His enthusiasm and affection for and his breadth
of knowledge of the people, history, culture and contemporary political environment
of Norway pour out of every page. I am sure anyone who reads this will come
away thinking that he or she too need to visit Norway at some point in his
or her life. His writing style was conversational and well done. There were
few (if any typos) or editorial errors that marred the enjoyment or reading
of the text. Well done.”
Writer’s
Digest
“Michael
Kleiner is an American with no Norwegian roots, whose first visit to Norway
occurred when he was 11 years old. That was the beginning of a fascination
with Norway that resulted in many additional visits. Michael moved to Norway
with his parents for a while and he attended school in Oslo and, as an adult,
he attended the International Summer School. The book is based on Kleiner’s
visits and personal experiences. That the book is highly personal is reinforced
by the introduction, written by the author’s father, who was also the
person who introduced Michael to Norway.
Robert Kleiner writes: ‘My first reactions to the book are that it is
charming and most engaging. It is written with warmth and sensitivity, with
humor and caring, with appreciation and insight. My second set of reactions
is somewhat more complicated and is also influenced by questions raised by
friends and colleagues. They ask: ‘Is it a travel book? Is it autobiographical?
Is it psychological?’ It is all of these and more. It is about a relationship
between an individual and a country he came to know over a 35-year period.
It is about how an individual, from childhood to adulthood, was repeatedly
influenced by accumulating past experiences and by new ones in that relationship.
As the book unfolds, he shows with great skill how Norway’s natural
environment, history, culture and the characteristics of its people permeated
and molded this relationship and how it influenced the author himself. He
also juxtaposes this process with the influences of selective aspects of American
history, culture and the characteristics of many Americans during this same
period of time and himself as well.’
“Articles by Michael Kleiner have appeared in The Norseman. ”
The
Norseman, September, 2007
“Beyond
the Cold is not the usual sort of travel guide. Instead it is a reconstruction
of his seven trips to Norway, beginning with his immersion as a boy of 10.
In each journey, he reveals different facets of his beloved Norway, from the
Norwegian schoolyard and winter wonder he experienced as a child to the political
climate he saw as an adult. Kleiner’s childhood memoirs are particularly
fascinating...Written in a straightforward style, Beyond the Cold contains
some fascinating asides about Norwegian history and culture...his affection
for his second home shines through on every page...”
BookWire,
May 11, 2006
Read more
“...Kleiner
sees his book as more than just a travel book, its audience more than just
Norwegian-Americans. It’s for people who want to know more about the
country. It’s for people who want to see the long-term effects of living
abroad as a child. It’s for people who have little more knowledge of
Norway than cold weather. One day, Kleiner hopes to take his entire family
there and instill in them the love he has for the land and its people. For
now, they, and everyone else, can experience it between the pages of his book,
finding the warmth that resides beneath a frigid exterior.”
Chestnut
Hill Local, July 6, 2006
Read
more
“Beyond
the Cold” was a good and interesting book on several levels. One, it
gave a good sense of Norway and the Norwegian people, their interpersonal
relationships, and world view. The second was the autobiographical aspect
of seeing a young man’s experiences that help shape him as I have come
to know him over these last few years. This book in a quiet way makes an important
case for a much broader educational experience about the need to know different
cultures and the world views of different peoples for all of our young people.
I wish I had had the international oportunities when I grew up.”
Sol Levy, Ph. D., Philadelphia
“If
I had known this book was so realistic, I would have wore my parka, snow boots,
ear muffs and put in for a two-week vacation from work. I anticipated picking
this book up again and again. Getting a nice hot cup of tea and letting Michael
take me along with him to Norway, the Arctic Circle, through the mountains
and on his train rides brought a whole new meaning to “Beyond the Cold”
as just being the title of the book. I mean I was actually with him and seeing
Northern lights, day and night at the same time and meeting some of the warmest
people I've ever met. I would often stop reading, close my eyes, and be right
there. Read It! Experience the warm feelings of (one of) the coldest parts
of the world...”
Tina Harris, Philadelphia
“Beyond
the Cold will enthrall you with its warm insights into Norwegian culture and
his introductions to the many friends that he has made during his travels
around Norway. Kleiner insightfully describes attractions that you will surely
want to visit on your travels to Norway. Or even if you never get to Norway,
you will feel as if you’ve been there and have met Kleiner’s friends.
From the author’s warm remembrances I learned that wherever your travels
may take you, mixing and living with the locals adds a unique value and perspective
that you will treasure always. Even though I do not normally read this type
of non-fiction, the book held my attention and made we want to read on once
I started it. Beyond the Cold is well written and tightly edited. I heartily
recommend it.”
Carl
E. Jaske, Upper Arlington, OH
“I
am no stranger to fine travel books, memoirs, or books that define other cultures.
But Michael Kleiner’s Beyond the Cold gives us all three in one. Beginning
at age 11, when he and his family spent a full year in Norway, continuing
through his seven return trips, this author lived and learned amongst Norwegians.
He traveled the country with the refreshing eye of a native exploring his
homeland for the first time, as he visited and revisited places of particular
interest over a course of twenty-some years. We are treated to an insider’s
view of the sites, hearts and minds of these people and the emotional tug
these elements evoked for him as a growing boy and at various stages in his
adult life. I could feel the excitement of discovery as I vicariously strolled
through Frogner Park, giggling at the site of the charming statue of a young
child in the midst of a temper tantrum! I could feel the anxiety of the author
as an eleven-year old boy, suddenly plunged into a foreign country, all at
once confronted with the multiple adjustments of new language, peer group,
geography, climate, and customs. I learned a bit about Norwegian history,
their museums, culinary treats, and ski trails. But most of all, this American
author helped me internalize the meaning of true friendship through the warmth
of the Norwegian people, their customs, lifestyle and values.”
Lois
W. Stern
Author, Sex, Lies & Cosmetic Surgery
Huntington, NY
“A
Warm Portrait of Norway and A Man
I usually read
a book to be inspired, educated, or entertained. BEYOND THE COLD managed to
do all three. Being a Nature lover, the cover alone was alluring. Once on
the journey inside, I was introduced to a country, a culture, and the sensitivity
of a man and a family that took me there. I was left with a desire to feel
the Norway ‘cold’ on my own face and the ‘warmth’
of these people in my own heart. The author is a family oriented man, a man
that treasures his roots and experiences in two countries and he shares them
with the reader freely. We learn about the topography and the lifestyle of
an incredibly beautiful country. Lasting friendships that have overcome the
drain of distance and time, illustrate the fact that all of us can nurture
understandings and friendships that do cross distances, cultures, and rare
reunions. And maybe we don’t even have to travel across the world to
experience this phenomenon. Maybe we can start with our neighbors and a warm
smile. Thank you for the insight, Mr. Kleiner.”
Susan
C. Haley, Author
Rainy Day People (book and audio book)
Sarasota, FL
Photographs of
Michael Kleiner which can be downloaded. Photos by Butler Prestige Photo.
72dpi |
72dpi |
300dpi |
300dpi |
Book
Covers
200 dpi |
To
arrange an appearance. use the form on the Contact
page or appearances@beyondthecold.com
The
book may be purchased at 
or call 877-BUY-BOOK or 610-941-9999.
Now
available at Scan Select, Inc./Scandinavian
Specialties
6719 - 15th Avenue NW
Seattle, Washington 98117
Phone: (206) 784-7020
1-877-784-7020
Home About
the Author Excerpts/Slide
Shows Contact Links Pressroom International
Purchases Podcasts Infinity
Publishing Books
72dpi