What do you think?
Rate this book
Holland The History Of Netherlands
Grattan begins his history of the Netherlands in 50BC, describing the harsh landscape and the industrious people who lived on it. He takes the reader on a journey through time, from the invasion of the French and Spanish through the formation of Holland and the establishment of the Dutch monarchy. The history continues in detail through the many wars fought by the Dutch, ending in the joining of Holland and Belgium into a single country. History buffs will enjoy this detailed retelling of the making of a nation. Irish writer THOMAS COLLEY GRATTAN (1792-1864) was born in Dublin, where he eventually studied law. He is best known for his book Highways and Byways, a memoir detailing his trips across continental Europe. He also wrote history books, including one on the United States.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
408 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1899
About the author
Thomas Colley Grattan
291 books1 followerThomas Colley Grattan was an Irish miscellaneous writer.
Born in Dublin, he was educated for the law, but did not practise it and instead joined the Louth militia with the eventual aim of getting a commission in the British Army. Having been unsuccessful in this venture, in 1818 he set off for South America via Bordeaux. On his passage he met and married Miss Eliza O'Donnel, with whom he remained in the city.
Here he commenced the profession of an author, his first work being Philibert, an octo-syllabic poem in six cantos. In a short time he moved to Paris, where he made the acquaintance of Moore, Washington Irving, Thiers, Béranger, Lamartine, and other distinguished literary men, and became a constant contributor to the Westminster Review, Edinburgh Review, the New Monthly Magazine, and other periodicals.
His translations from French poets were successful. He also commenced a serial of his own, which he called The Paris Monthly Review of British and Continental Literature, by a Society of English Gentlemen. No. 1 came out in January 1822, and No. 15 (April 1823) appears to have been the last issue of this magazine.
By Washington Irving's advice he reduced to order the memoranda of some of his tours, and submitted the manuscript to four publishing houses of eminence in succession, who all rejected it. This work was Highways and Byways, or Tales of the Roadside, which, on its appearance in 1823, dedicated to Washington Irving, made its author's name widely known both in England and on the continent, and was several times reprinted.
The second series of these tales came out in 1825, and the third in 1827. Grattan's next public appearance was as the writer of a tragedy, Ben Nazir, the Saracen. This was produced by Edmund Kean at Drury Lane Theatre on 21 May 1827, but the actor, through ill-health and domestic misfortunes, broke down, and the play failed with him.
Having sustained pecuniary losses, Grattan removed to Brussels about 1828. He there produced Traits of Travel, which was received with well-deserved favour; The Heiress of Bruges one of the best historical romances of the day; and The History of the Netherlands which has become a standard work.
In 1830 the revolution drove him from Brussels. He retired to Antwerp, and accompanied the Prince of Orange from that town to the Hague, where he wrote Jacqueline of Holland. In May 1831 he was at Heidelberg, where he was stimulated to fresh literary exertions, and composed the Legends of the Rhine.
He was now a frequent contributor to the British and foreign reviews, writing upon the state of European affairs, chiefly in connection with Belgium. At a critical moment in the affairs of the new kingdom, during the riots at Brussels in 1834, he commenced a correspondence with the Times newspaper, and his letters were translated and reproduced in continental journals.
In 1839, he received the appointment of British consul to the state of Massachusetts and took up residence at Boston. While there, Grattan contributed to the conclusion of the treaty of 9 April 1842. In the United States Grattan gained considerable reputation as a speaker and raconteur.
Returning to England in 1846 he was permitted to resign his consulship in favour of his eldest son. From this period he chiefly resided in London, where he resumed his literary labours, and among other works produced, in 2 vols., in 1862, Beaten Paths and those who trod them which contains his autobiographical recollections.
He died at his residence in Jermyn Street, London, 4 July 1864, leaving a daughter and three sons.
- excerpted from Wikipedia
Born in Dublin, he was educated for the law, but did not practise it and instead joined the Louth militia with the eventual aim of getting a commission in the British Army. Having been unsuccessful in this venture, in 1818 he set off for South America via Bordeaux. On his passage he met and married Miss Eliza O'Donnel, with whom he remained in the city.
Here he commenced the profession of an author, his first work being Philibert, an octo-syllabic poem in six cantos. In a short time he moved to Paris, where he made the acquaintance of Moore, Washington Irving, Thiers, Béranger, Lamartine, and other distinguished literary men, and became a constant contributor to the Westminster Review, Edinburgh Review, the New Monthly Magazine, and other periodicals.
His translations from French poets were successful. He also commenced a serial of his own, which he called The Paris Monthly Review of British and Continental Literature, by a Society of English Gentlemen. No. 1 came out in January 1822, and No. 15 (April 1823) appears to have been the last issue of this magazine.
By Washington Irving's advice he reduced to order the memoranda of some of his tours, and submitted the manuscript to four publishing houses of eminence in succession, who all rejected it. This work was Highways and Byways, or Tales of the Roadside, which, on its appearance in 1823, dedicated to Washington Irving, made its author's name widely known both in England and on the continent, and was several times reprinted.
The second series of these tales came out in 1825, and the third in 1827. Grattan's next public appearance was as the writer of a tragedy, Ben Nazir, the Saracen. This was produced by Edmund Kean at Drury Lane Theatre on 21 May 1827, but the actor, through ill-health and domestic misfortunes, broke down, and the play failed with him.
Having sustained pecuniary losses, Grattan removed to Brussels about 1828. He there produced Traits of Travel, which was received with well-deserved favour; The Heiress of Bruges one of the best historical romances of the day; and The History of the Netherlands which has become a standard work.
In 1830 the revolution drove him from Brussels. He retired to Antwerp, and accompanied the Prince of Orange from that town to the Hague, where he wrote Jacqueline of Holland. In May 1831 he was at Heidelberg, where he was stimulated to fresh literary exertions, and composed the Legends of the Rhine.
He was now a frequent contributor to the British and foreign reviews, writing upon the state of European affairs, chiefly in connection with Belgium. At a critical moment in the affairs of the new kingdom, during the riots at Brussels in 1834, he commenced a correspondence with the Times newspaper, and his letters were translated and reproduced in continental journals.
In 1839, he received the appointment of British consul to the state of Massachusetts and took up residence at Boston. While there, Grattan contributed to the conclusion of the treaty of 9 April 1842. In the United States Grattan gained considerable reputation as a speaker and raconteur.
Returning to England in 1846 he was permitted to resign his consulship in favour of his eldest son. From this period he chiefly resided in London, where he resumed his literary labours, and among other works produced, in 2 vols., in 1862, Beaten Paths and those who trod them which contains his autobiographical recollections.
He died at his residence in Jermyn Street, London, 4 July 1864, leaving a daughter and three sons.
- excerpted from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 2, 2018
A people prefers self-exile to slavery; and an illustrious house that seldom fails the naiton.
It's interesting to read about the ups-and-downs of this small country, prospering when it insisted on independence, degrading when it succumbed to seemingly superior power. The power of a people to decide the destiny of a nation.
It's intriguing to learn about the impact the illustrious house of Orange brings. How the ambition of Maurise overgrew to turn against his people and endanger the nation; and later how the country was near to being ruined after the stadholder left to leave the nation completely to states-general.
The Netherlands is always held to be a country of high tolerance and open mind. Some people (mistakenly) interpret that as lack of principle. They couldn't be more wrong. It's quite clear when we look at the brief description of the religious orientation of William of Orange:
It's interesting to read about the ups-and-downs of this small country, prospering when it insisted on independence, degrading when it succumbed to seemingly superior power. The power of a people to decide the destiny of a nation.
It's intriguing to learn about the impact the illustrious house of Orange brings. How the ambition of Maurise overgrew to turn against his people and endanger the nation; and later how the country was near to being ruined after the stadholder left to leave the nation completely to states-general.
The Netherlands is always held to be a country of high tolerance and open mind. Some people (mistakenly) interpret that as lack of principle. They couldn't be more wrong. It's quite clear when we look at the brief description of the religious orientation of William of Orange:
His whole public conduct seems to prove that he viewed sectarian principles chiefly in the light of political instruments; and that, himself a conscientious Christian, in the broad sens of the term, he was deeply imbued with the spirit of universal toleration, and considered the various shades of belief as subservient to the one grand principle of civil and religious liberty, for which he had long devoted and at length laid down his life.
October 8, 2015
Not wonderfully done
A lot of history is covered in varying amounts of detail. Not as coherent a narrative as I had expected. It does a pretty good job of describing what a bright, industrious group of people the Dutch really are. Having been there a few times,I have always been impressed with their many hydraulic capabilities and more nobly how they honor the and open and accepting culture that elevates the Dutch to just a few of the great countries in the world.
A lot of history is covered in varying amounts of detail. Not as coherent a narrative as I had expected. It does a pretty good job of describing what a bright, industrious group of people the Dutch really are. Having been there a few times,I have always been impressed with their many hydraulic capabilities and more nobly how they honor the and open and accepting culture that elevates the Dutch to just a few of the great countries in the world.
April 15, 2012
I downloaded this book from Amazon while I was in Holland.
It took me some time to read over 400 pages of names, intrigues, assassinations, princes, kingdoms and alliances that changed as quickly as today's Italian parlament. I researched quite a lot on wikipedia to get all the information to understand all the old dynasties so at the end the pages read where double the book.
Written in an old-fashioned way where personal consideration and comments added flavour and spice to the history, I really enjoyed this book. Although I still had difficulty trying to remember all the names and their various correlation and to which small or big kingdom they belonged.
I particularly savoured the last chapter or else as he calls it Supplementary Chapter where the historian summarises all of his personal views about the Dutch country and its people. And I have to say the truth I quite agree with him.
"They are, in their own degree, remarkably prosperous and comfortable; and they have the good sense to be content with their condition.
They are liberal and progressive, and yet conservative;...and they are wisely indifferent to the affairs of others" Very true..what impressed me while in Holland is that they have no curtains and if they do have them they don't use them.
"Their nature seems to partake of the scenic traits of their country; its picturesque, solid serenity, its unemotional levels, its flavour of the antique: and yet beneath that composure we feel the strength and steadfastness which can say to the ocean, Thus far and no further, and can build their immaculate towns, and erect their peaceful windmills, and navigate their placid canals, and smoke their fragrant pipes on land which, by natural right, should be the bottom of the sea"
Yes, as my Dutch friend said to me "Why complicate your existence, we are in Holland!"
It took me some time to read over 400 pages of names, intrigues, assassinations, princes, kingdoms and alliances that changed as quickly as today's Italian parlament. I researched quite a lot on wikipedia to get all the information to understand all the old dynasties so at the end the pages read where double the book.
Written in an old-fashioned way where personal consideration and comments added flavour and spice to the history, I really enjoyed this book. Although I still had difficulty trying to remember all the names and their various correlation and to which small or big kingdom they belonged.
I particularly savoured the last chapter or else as he calls it Supplementary Chapter where the historian summarises all of his personal views about the Dutch country and its people. And I have to say the truth I quite agree with him.
"They are, in their own degree, remarkably prosperous and comfortable; and they have the good sense to be content with their condition.
They are liberal and progressive, and yet conservative;...and they are wisely indifferent to the affairs of others" Very true..what impressed me while in Holland is that they have no curtains and if they do have them they don't use them.
"Their nature seems to partake of the scenic traits of their country; its picturesque, solid serenity, its unemotional levels, its flavour of the antique: and yet beneath that composure we feel the strength and steadfastness which can say to the ocean, Thus far and no further, and can build their immaculate towns, and erect their peaceful windmills, and navigate their placid canals, and smoke their fragrant pipes on land which, by natural right, should be the bottom of the sea"
Yes, as my Dutch friend said to me "Why complicate your existence, we are in Holland!"
December 9, 2014
A candidate for one of the worst books I've ever read.
The editing is atrocious. the sentences see disconnected. The information is partial. It contains blatant racism and unfounded opinions.
I feel I've been cheated even when this was a free ebook.
The editing is atrocious. the sentences see disconnected. The information is partial. It contains blatant racism and unfounded opinions.
I feel I've been cheated even when this was a free ebook.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews