Discovering the Dutch: On Culture and Society of the Netherlands

by Emmeline Besamusca (Editor), Jaap Verheul (Editor)

Hard to Find book

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2009

Reviews

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of essays discussing a variety of topics on Dutch politics, economy, history, culture, and society. Virtually everything. The breadth and depth are just enough so that readers are not overwhelmed by the amount of new information, but still their old notions about a liberal, tolerant, highly progressive nation are strongly challenged.

I myself attended a talk by Emmeline Besamusca. She is also a great speaker and she made Dutch culture so crystal clear. If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for a long time, you'd better read this book and another book of her called Foreign eyes.

[Dmytro Foremnyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book assess different angles of Dutch society and culture from both modern and historical perspectives. It is definitely recommendable to get the "feeling" of Holland on a more subtle way than just a touristic POV.

I found some historical and political passages to be extremely interesting, for instance on development of emancipation, political consensus system named "Polder model" as well as Dutch Golden Age period and 20th century boom in economy growth. History of Dutch architecture and art were also quite fascinating.

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, documented, supported, argued, catered for international audiences, great authors, experts in their fields, gave an accurate snapshot of the Nederlands and its culture.
I do recommend this book.

[Brian Gowthorpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful stuff.

[Zoe Liew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super biased.