A fascinating and provocative way to tell the history of an important and influential city. For anyone who’s a history geek, this masterpiece about the history of Amsterdam is a must-read. Anne Frank is one of Amsterdam’s best-known historical figures. We have a supportive community. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Both were very interesting. One of my favorite bookstores in Amsterdam. New Yorker–born and raised. Verified Purchase. Filed Under: Amsterdam, Europe, Local Guides, The Netherlands, Travel Tagged With: Amsterdam, europe, literature, Netherlands, Travel. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2019. Not a casual throwaway read, this delves into how the church. . . A View across the Rooftops. Currently reading Anne Frank’s Diary and really wish that I’d done that before visiting the house (: I found Geert Mak’s ‘A brief life of the city’ fascinating. This history explains a lot behind these liberal attitudes which completely astounded me. Amsterdam book. Please try again. Perhaps out of deference to his adopted city, he avoids much of the controversial issues of Dutch colonialism in the more modern day context. Very compelling and thought provoking, and written with love, tenderness and a discerning eye. It goes back to the 1500’s and 1600’s with the author outlining the distinctive features of Amsterdam and Holland in that era. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2016. -- The New Yorker "Delightfully eccentric history. It’s about a teen that has terminal cancer in Amsterdam…, “Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. The Light of Amsterdam is a family drama about divorced parents. Miguel Lienzo, a sharp-witted trader in the city’s close-knit community of Portuguese Jews, knows this only too well. This modern Dutch classic by Herman author Herman Koch is for those with a twisted sense of humor. And in freedom, most people find sin.”. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2020. The Miniaturist  is one of my favorite books about Amsterdam. A warm fast-moving story set in Nazi occupied Amsterdam. Dam Square. I enjoyed Reunion, by L.Coulomb. Interesting and greatly detailed, this book helped me understand the modern culture of Amsterdam. We imagine that we have an understanding of the soul of the city, that we can appreciate her, and why she is as she is today. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. A history of beguinages, communities of like-minded women who aided their towns' poor and vulnerable. Eye-opening and entertaining, it's popular history of the best sort." I finished it in 2 days. One of my favorite things to do is to pick up a book about a destination before I get there. The Miniaturist- was shown on PBS a short while ago as a mini series. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Since writing the above I've discovered the author has indeed written several other books. It’s definitely a must-read book before visiting Amsterdam. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I read it shortly before moving to Amsterdam and it really brought alive what it was like living in the Golden Age. American expat and cat lover from New York City who lived in Amsterdam…. The combination of Amsterdam’s fraught history, sense of abandon and wealth of culture has led to a literary output that is dark, clever and often very funny. I liked the Coffee Trader although it’s not my favorite book. Amsterdam is the story of a euthanasia pact between two friends, a composer and a ... Amsterdam. . . Books: Fiction. It also helps if you have visited the many excellent museums in Amsterdam and seen some of the iconic works of art and memorabilia as this book refers to many of them as representative of events in the city's past. Amsterdam a unique base for a tolerant and free society, Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2016. Something went wrong. I was getting ready for a trip to Amsterdam and wanted to study up a bit on its history. There's a problem loading this menu right now. A pleasure to savor on many levels.” —The Seattle Times “Rich and eventful. The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America [Shorto, Russell] on Amazon.com. royalty, the tulip, art, farmers, burghers, invading armies, and natural climate all impacted the county and how that impact shaped the city of today, I read this while in Amsterdam so that made it more real, i.e. Amsterdam Tales (translated by Paul Vincent, 2017). I never realised the importance of Amsterdam in the development of individual liberalism in European history. Once among the city’s most envied merchants, Miguel has lost everything in a sudden shift in the sugar markets. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. I found it first on a cruise ship in the well-stocked library and was returning at journeys end to Amsterdam. It probably helps if you have visited the city as Mr Shorto does an excellent job of placing you in the narrative and if you can visualise what he is telling us so much the better. The level of detail is extraordinary and it's so readable. . I frankly admired the openness and inhibition on offer when I visited it. I bought this (Kindle version) to take with me on a trip to Amsterdam - my first visit. I liked the Coffee Trader although it’s not my favorite book. . His murder signaled a major change in the Netherlands in terms of the dialogue about Muslims and what tolerance means today in the Netherlands. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. being able to walk to the location of the world's first stock exchange (on a bridge!). The Diary of a Young Girl book. Keep up the good work! I think that it’s really powerful to read the Diary of Anne Frank before visiting the Anne Frank House as it gives you a true appreciation for what her family went through. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. . . I’ve been living in Amsterdam and these are my favorite books about Amsterdam. Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2018. I loved Shorto’s book on Amsterdam, as well as his earlier book on the Dutch origins of New York - they would be my top two recommendations. If you want to know more about the Dutch and the unique and lasting way they have impacted global society - read this book. Once I was in the house, I spend a while imagining Anne and her whole family in there–and I really think it made visiting the house more powerful for me. The Good Thief’s Guide to Amsterdam is an old school crime novel about a burglar who takes a suspicious job in Amsterdam…. . . I first had to read Anne Frank’s Diary in 8th grade and it really moved me then. There are highs and lows along the way, weaving a rich tale about the city. Liberalism and tolerance as a background for the history of Amsterdam provides a good context to relate these events to present day concepts to much of what we take for granted. The Bookshop of the World allows us to distil a wonderful list of superlatives: at … This finely spun and illuminating history of Amsterdam explores both a city and an idea. Terrific series of historic stories woven into a narrative of how Amsterdam can be viewed as a harbinger of liberalism in the Western world. Miguel will learn that among Amsterdam’s ruthless businessmen, betrayal lurks everywhere, and even friends hide secret agendas. . Favorite Books of 2013 "Entertaining history." Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City. Anne was eventually deported to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, where she later died at the young age of 15. I want to read this book again so I will probably buy the paperback too. The author gives a lot of interesting details about the buildings and the history of them. Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City, Catspotting: A crazy cat lover's guide to cats in Amsterdam, 25 Essential Travel Tips for Amsterdam From An Amsterdam Resident, Murder in Amsterdam: Liberal Europe, Islam, and the Limits of Tolerance, Secret Amsterdam: 30+ secret places to visit in Amsterdam by a local, « 5 reasons that you must visit Turin, Italy’s most underrated city, The perfect day trip from Paris to Provins, a beautiful medieval town ». You can only find this book at the local bookstores. Would absolutely recommend this book! He said he had read it and really appreciated the positive view that the gives of Amsterdam's history. There are some decent illustrations but they are tiny in the paperback edition and not that clear on a black and white kindle (I perused the paperback edition in a shop and bought the kindle edition) although they come up fine on a laptop. It’s a summer’s evening in Amsterdam, and two couples meet at a fashionable restaurant for dinner. This was a great book on the history of Amsterdam. I also enjoyed the story immensely although it’s more for those who enjoy historical fiction that tends to be a bit lighter. He also has the ability to bring that city to life for us. A one-man business, this independent store has non-fiction and travel books downstairs, fiction upstairs plus a basement with fantasy, psychology and politics. Good scope of history to prepare to travel to Amsterdam. I haven't quite finished it yet but as soon as I have I'm going to read it again! I did receive one interesting comment from a dutch man who recognized the book. It’s not for everyone, but for those with a sharp sense of humor (think Catcher in the Rye), it might be an enjoyable read. Unable to add item to List. Amsterdam » Basic Facts » History Amsterdam. Mr. Shorto knows his city. This smaller bookshop in Amsterdam Centre has a good selection of English books although you’re likely to find a steal as many of their books are second-hand. Masterful reporting, vivid history—the past and present are equally alive in this book.” —James Gleick, author of The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood "Shorto is an excellent storyteller and rootler of strange facts, and Amsterdam should be issued as standard kit for anyone visiting the city who is not entirely corroded by vice." If you're a female travel or lifestyle blogger, join my Facebook group for bloggers! It’s one of those books that people love or hate, however I personally loved The Dinner. I loved this book! Have to check out all of these books! I personally didn’t enjoy this book (Sorry! Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2014. New Amsterdam is based on a … But behind the empty words, terrible things need to be said, and with every forced smile and every new course, the knives are being sharpened…. Here are some of the best books set in the Dutch capital. Please check our disclosure page for more information. If you’re a cat lover, you can follow my recommendations for meeting the cutest cats of Amsterdam. Non-linear in the best sort of way, this book covers the bits and pieces and sweeping presence of Amsterdam. . The book breathes life into parts of Amsterdam that may not otherwise be discovered by people and would be an interesting read if you are planning to visit the city. Shorto invites one to truly experience what individuals did in each period, all the while providing enough historic backdrop to provide a movement through history. Required fields are marked *. 5.0 out of 5 stars This was a great book on the history of Amsterdam. It’s the story of a trader who decides to get into the tulip trade… It’s a slow build-up, but a nice read if you’re into classic. At the time of requesting Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City from the publisher, I was under the impression that it was a travel book, since I had casually overlooked the subtitle. Planning a trip to Europe? Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about New Amsterdam like never before, in … Soooo good! This book helped me understand the complex political, religious and economic history of The Netherlands. . Other than learning about 'poulders' at school 50 years ago, I am ashamed to say I knew nothing about Amsterdam. The author of this book makes the history come alive, a bit of a cliche I know but it is so outstandingly well written with numerous amazing facts about the city, how it was built and who built it and why. This book about the Golden Age of Amsterdam is a tale of tulips, art, and romance. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam A marvellously readable book on the history of this city! The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America Read 28 858 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Focuses on economics, politics, and urban planning. This is a very readable book, more a 'biography' of the city rather than a history with lots of little personal anecdotes from an author who obviously loves the city but is not afraid to confront some of the less salubrious stories. 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