Sweden in the spring of 1940 — a real case to investigate
In Stockholm, sabotage was being prepared against the harbour and ironworks at Oxelösund. For the British involved it was about hampering Germany's war effort. For Sweden the plans meant a threat to national security and the risk of being drawn closer to the war. When the police intervened the picture emerged step by step. Interrogations and seizures made a larger operation visible. Behind the plans were people whose own explanations need to be compared with what they were actually preparing. Through The Rickman Ring, questions of neutrality, loyalty and responsibility become possible to discuss from concrete actions: what could those involved know, what risks were they prepared to take, and which people would have to bear the consequences?
This is what the students work with
Students examine what goals the historical figures had, what information they received and how much room for action they had — and reason about the difference between understanding a motive and accepting an act. They scrutinise what is documented, what rests on one person's account and what is a conclusion. They compare perspectives and discuss how an act aimed at a great power's interests could also threaten Swedish workplaces and lives. And they justify a view of their own: explain their reasoning, use examples from the text and respond to other perspectives.
Support for your teaching
You get a coherent narrative to work from and discussion questions that take the work further. The teacher's guide helps you choose a focus, lead the conversations and work with the students' reasoning. The material can be used chapter by chapter, thematically or for an in-depth assignment — you might concentrate the work on neutrality, the responsibility of historical actors, or how information is used when important decisions have to be made. Students can work as a whole class, in smaller groups or through written assignments.
Choose the format that suits your class
Every package contains 25 student books. Extra books can be ordered at SEK 195 each as an addition to a complete package, whether you choose Basic or Standard. For a class of, say, 30 students you order a package with 25 books plus five extra books — the addition then comes to SEK 975 on top of the package price.
The Basic package
For you who want to choose chapters and plan the work yourself. The class gets one copy of The Rickman Ring per student. A teacher's guide and an introduction in PDF format are included.
25 student books, teacher's guide and introduction — equivalent to SEK 195 per student
The Standard package
You get a prepared series of lessons to work from: a ready plan for 3–5 lessons, a structure for the class discussions and a suggested assessment task.
25 student books, teacher's guide and extended lesson material — equivalent to SEK 245 per student
The Premium package
For the class that wants to combine the reading with a talk and history on location. This includes the whole Standard package, a tailored talk during one lesson and a school walk in Östermalm on the same theme.
Equivalent to SEK 595 per student. Additional students cost SEK 595 each, up to a maximum of 35 per session. Travel costs outside Stockholm are added.
The package prices are shown excluding VAT. The school talks below are shown incl. VAT, as Understory states them.
Talks for the classroom
We come to the school and give talks that offer students new perspectives on Sweden's role in the conflicts of the 20th century — stories built on original sources that challenge established truths and spark discussion.
In-depth talks for upper secondary
Our regular talks also suit schools — real lives, double lives and the game in the shadows, told by an intelligence historian with authentic spy artefacts.
Talk + books
The school package combines a talk with our books, so the class can keep working with the material afterwards. Tell us the year group, number of students and preferred theme, and we will put together a package priced incl. VAT.
Links to the history subject and Lgr22
The Rickman Ring can be used as an in-depth case in teaching about the Second World War. Working with historical actors, source-critical questions and differing interpretations connects to the history curriculum for years 7–9. Lgr22 covers the causes and consequences of the world wars, the interpretation and scrutiny of historical sources, and analysis of how history is used. The subject's aims also stress understanding that people in the past need to be judged by the conditions and values of their own time. The material complements the class's other teaching — the teacher decides how the work fits into planning and assessment.
Meet the author
Johan Öhgren is an intelligence historian, author and qualified teacher. Through Swedish Spy Tours and the Swedish Spy Museum he conveys Swedish intelligence history in books, talks and city walks. In the school material on The Rickman Ring, archive-based history meets a pedagogical interest in people's choices: how they acted, why they did so and what they could understand of their own time.
How it works
Payment and cancellation terms
After an event is booked we send an order confirmation with all the booking terms.
Cancellations must be made in writing. The following terms apply:
- Free cancellation is possible up to 14 calendar days before the event starts.
- For cancellations 13–8 calendar days before the start, 50% of the agreed price is charged.
- For cancellations 7 calendar days or less before the start, the full price is charged.
If the booking is made less than 14 calendar days before the event starts, payment in advance applies. Free cancellation does not apply to these bookings.
Payment in advance is mandatory for all bookings from private individuals, associations, companies and organisations.
Payment must reach us before the event takes place. Payment in arrears is not offered.
The invoice is normally sent about 14 days before the event, unless otherwise agreed.
For bookings made at shorter notice, the invoice is sent together with the booking confirmation.
Government agencies, municipalities and regions are offered invoicing with 30 days' payment terms.
For companies and organisations, VAT is added.
Frequently asked questions
Which year groups does it suit?
The school packages are designed for years 8 and 9. Upper secondary meets the same material through the talk on the transition to the Cold War. For younger children, the Spy School is on the For our youngest agents page.
Where are the talks held?
At the school — we come to you. The school provides the room, a projector (HDMI) and power.
What does it cost?
The school talks cost from SEK 5,000 incl. VAT. School packages with books are quoted based on the number of students — request a school package and we will work out a price.
Can the talk be given in English?
Swedish and English are offered. More languages for an interpreter surcharge, and sign language interpretation can be arranged.
How does payment work?
Payment in advance — see the payment and cancellation terms above. We are approved for F-tax and VAT-registered.
Give the class a history lesson they will remember
Tell us briefly about the school, the year group and your wishes, and we will get back with a school package.