Why the Dutch are Different: A Journey into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands

Why the Dutch are Different: A Journey into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands

Taschenbuch
4.33

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Beschreibung

*A SCOTSMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR*

Stranded at Schiphol airport, Ben Coates called up a friendly Dutch girl he'd met some months earlier. He stayed for dinner. Actually, he stayed for good.

In the first book to consider the hidden heart and history of the Netherlands from a modern perspective, the author explores the length and breadth of his adopted homeland and discovers why one of the world's smallest countries is also so significant and so fascinating. It is a self-made country, the Dutch national character shaped by the ongoing battle to keep the water out from the love of dairy and beer to the attitude to nature and the famous tolerance.

Ben Coates investigates what makes the Dutch the Dutch, why the Netherlands is much more than Holland and why the color orange is so important. Along the way he reveals why they are the world's tallest people and have the best carnival outside Brazil.

He learns why Amsterdam's brothels are going out of business, who really killed Anne Frank, and how the Dutch manage to be richer than almost everyone else despite working far less. He also discovers a country which is changing fast, with the Dutch now questioning many of the liberal policies which made their nation famous.

A personal portrait of a fascinating people, a sideways history and an entertaining travelogue, Why the Dutch are Different is the story of an Englishman who went Dutch. And loved it.
Haupt-Genre
N/A
Sub-Genre
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Format
Taschenbuch
Seitenzahl
304
Preis
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Beiträge

3
Alle
4

A refreshing insight into the way of life in the Netherlands shared by a Brit, Ben Coates. The chapters in his book range from history to contemporary lifestyle in the Netherlands, including views on religion, politics, liberty on sex & drugs. Not short of an edgy sense of humour, Ben Coates draws some cultural comparisons between the British and Dutch by tangible examples such as people riding in a public transportation: I could very well picture the extreme politeness of Brits towards strangers versus the relentless nosiness of Dutch towards strangers. Hah! Been there, seen it, felt it :)) Great to see people like Ben Coates deliberately treading through a new life in a new country, whilst being aware as well as appreciative of cultural differences

5

Prior to reading this book, I knew very little at all about the Netherlands and its history. Ben Coates' tells the story of this nation, its history and its culture in a rather interesting and witty narrative that I enjoyed immensely. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about this country in Europe and its culture.

4

Mit einem sehr lockeren Schreibstil und lustigen Geschichten füllt Ben Coates ein Buch aus, welches dennoch gut recherchiert ist und viel über die Geschichte und Kultur von den Niederlanden beinhaltet. Ich habe inzwischen beide seiner Bücher gelesen und hab an beiden großen Gefallen gefunden.

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