Greenland and the Danish Realm: Empire in the Arctic (The Story of Denmark)

Greenland and the Danish Realm: Empire in the Arctic by Adrian E. Markham explores the long and complex relationship between Greenland and Denmark, tracing a story that stretches from the earliest Arctic settlers to the modern era of self government and global geopolitics. From the arrival of Paleo-Inuit peoples and the expansion of the Thule culture to the Norse colonies founded by Erik the Red, the book follows the human history of one of the world's most remarkable and challenging environments.

Markham examines the rise and disappearance of medieval Norse Greenland, the return of Danish influence through the mission of Hans Egede, and the development of colonial administration across the Arctic frontier. As trade networks expanded and political authority deepened, Greenland became an integral part of the Danish realm, shaped by commerce, religion, scientific exploration, and the realities of life at the edge of the known world.

Drawing on archaeological evidence, government records, missionary accounts, and historical documents, Greenland and the Danish Realm reveals how a distant Arctic land became central to questions of empire, identity, and sovereignty. From colonial rule and modernization to Home Rule, Self-Government, and contemporary debates over resources and independence, it offers a vivid and balanced portrait of Greenland's past and its place in a rapidly changing Arctic future.