A short history of amsterdam book

I recommend amsterdam by russel shorto everyone who still knows this city but want to know much more. The rough guide travel guide books are known for their sober and thorough style of telling like it is. Over the next several years, the dutch colony continued to grow. I did like the book, and it was about the deep history of a particular place, but it wasnt.

I have attempted to bring the history of amsterdam up to the present date, but i find that the few pages that have been allotted to me are entirely inadequate for the subject, so i hopeyou will not deem me remiss in my duty if i introduce a very excellent statistical paper on the manufacturing interests of the city of amsterdam for 1907, by. Accessible and full of interesting anecdotes relating events to specific places and buildings in the city. The book is divided into five parts, labeled i through v. A short history of the library amsterdam free library. A short history of the library located at the center of amsterdams downtown, the amsterdam free library is truly the heart of our community. Amsterdam private tour guide for historical walking tours in the rijksmuseum, jordaan, jewish district, canal ring. Perhaps the title should have read a short history of the most fascinating city. Bunk hotel amsterdam budget hotel concept in amsterdam. Wooden locks under the bridge served as a dam protecting the village from the rising ij waters, which often flooded the early settlement.

Other than the obvious plane tickets, accommodations if so inclined what types of things are best, or necessary, to arrange in advance of a visit to amsterdam. The royal palace of amsterdam a marvellously readable book on the history of this city. Indeed its hard to picture our city without its library, yet a century ago that was the case in the thenbooming young mill town. Amsterdam is an unsettling novel by ian mcewan about death and control. A short history of amsterdam amsterdam is a city like no other. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Attractions near vrolijk gay and lesbian bookstore. A history of the worlds most liberal city shorto, russell on. A short history of amsterdam from the early days to the 21st century.

Lets hope that amsterdam isnt the model for the euronovel of the future, for it is a book in a tremendous hurry to get where it is going but. A history of the worlds most liberal city, were on their way to becoming the greatest. In the th century, the dam was built here in the river amstel. Amsterdam, the greatest planned city of northern europe, has always been a wellknown name in world history and played a central role in the history of the netherlands. Ill certainly take this on holiday with me for reference and will read other books by the author in due course. Founded as a little fishing village around the th century, its progress has been driven by trade ever since. A short distance from the former kellogg home is city hall, the former sanford. Amsterdam does conjure a unique sense of unprecedented charm which neither paris or london can offer. By the 20th century, amsterdam had become americas foremost rugmaking center, nicknamed the carpet city, and the seventh largest city in new york.

A short history of amsterdam amsterdam sights hotels. The dutch in the 17th century, russell shorto informs us at a characteristic moment in amsterdam. For example, are there better online prices for local transportation vs. It goes back to the 1500s and 1600s with the author outlining the distinctive features of amsterdam and holland in that era. It is, indeed, a handsomelooking product with lovely photos making me nostalgic for my many times in amsterdam. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. The authors of the bestselling the colour of time, return with this stunning, harrowing portrayal of the conflicts that ravaged the world between 1914 and 1945. The germans kept up with the dutch a little better, but were still. Its a fun historical book about amsterdam that really taught me a lot. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Amsterdam began as a soggy little fishing village where herring was about the best thing going. Shorto, a longtime resident of the city and author of a study of the dutch founding of manhattan, chronicles amsterdams history as a place literally built on cooperation and tolerance, and one that hosted religious dissidents as well as serving as the headquarters for early multinationals, such as the east india company. Inspired by a fellow reader ive gone a small quest to learn more about the country. Historical amsterdam tours private city guides in amsterdam.

Yet in amsterdam, russell shortos deeply fascinating history of what he calls the worlds most liberal city, we learn that this place steeped in history, art and philosophy is so much more. It is a true obsessives book, throwing in everything from the story of the farcical little colony of new sweden to the origin of duffel cloth. The first organized book collection in the city was the amsterdam union library, founded in 1805 and operated from the home of the librarian one day a week. Geographically a difficult area to live, the ancient netherlands had for its inhabitants celtic and german tribes, one. I never realised the importance of amsterdam in the development of individual liberalism in european history. But the deeper history of amsterdam, what makes it one of the most fascinating places on earth, is bound up in its unique geographythe constant battle of its. Bunk hotel amsterdam is an innovative and modern budget hotel concept, bridging the hostel experience with full service hospitality. Records begin with the four centuries during which the region formed a militarized border zone of the roman empire. It is inevitably a less original book and suffers from the usual problems of history focused on a single city, but shorto is an excellent storyteller and rootler of strange facts, and amsterdam. However, in the middle ages, it grew rapidly as a center of trade. A short history of amsterdam by richter roegholt goodreads.

Cosmopolitan, stylish, even a little decadent, amsterdamthe venice of. Since the beginning of modern history, amsterdam has been a. A canal cruise is an absolute must for every firsttime visitor, or hop on a bike for a cycle tour, and see the city as the locals do. Russel shortos book about the origin of liberalism closely related to the history of amsterdam and the netherlands is a masterpiece of a short and deep insight in the history. There is this legend that two fishermen found the city of amsterdam, but more official, it goes back to the year 1275. A short history about amsterdam dutch language blog. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In 1275 floris v, count of holland gave the people of amstelledamme to transport their goods by water through his territory. Amsterdam is the font of liberalism, in both its senses. There are so many ways to see amsterdam, but if youd like to really get to know what makes the city tick then a guided tour or excursion is a great way to go. People from many countries moved into the area including many from england. Amsterdam is a 1998 novel by british writer ian mcewan, for which he was awarded the 1998 booker prize. Or take a short trip outside of the city to the wider. The english version is fraught with typos, horrendous translation errors, and the occasional.

This book does not answer every question the reader may have but certainly enhances knowledge and appreciation for a city, which so often is a point of reference in debates over new developments in attitudes and thought. Shorto, a regular contributor to the new york times and the author of the superb 2004 book the island at the center of the world, drew on amsterdams history as he described the. It was never as dominated by the church and royalty as france and spain were the two major mainland european powers of the time. Economic liberalism transformed amsterdam into a rich cosmopolitan city, and wealth gave rise to a golden age in art, architecture and science. An interesting book but not enough depth or detail for me. Amsterdam by ian mcewan book club discussion questions. The history of the netherlands is a history of seafaring people thriving on a lowland river delta on the north sea in northwestern europe. Carrying immense importance since the th century, the small city of amsterdam has transformed itself from a fishing village on the river bank to an uptodate. Shorto, a regular contributor to the new york times and the author of the superb 2004 book the island at the center of the world, drew on amsterdam s history as he described the. The rough guide to amsterdam tells you about all the places of interest in amsterdam, also those a little more off the beaten path added with lots of interesting historical and cultural details. Only a small patch on the globe, the netherlandss role in world history, culture and commerce is out of all proportion to its size.

This came under increasing pressure from germanic peoples moving westwards. Amsterdam is the story of a euthanasia pact between two friends, a composer and a newspaper editor, whose relationship spins into disaster. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Utilizing its superior location astride critical waterways, the village grew during the westward expansion of the early 1800s to become an industrial powerhouse. Our design and boutique luxury hostel is located in amsterdam noord north, the netherlands, close to central train station. Amsterdam winds up unsettled rather than unsettling. In the 17th century amsterdam was the centre of world economy, and nowadays the city is known for its tolerant character. At the funeral of photographer and writer molly lane, three of mollys former lovers converge. But the deeper history of amsterdam, what makes it one of the most fascinating places on earth, is bound up in its unique geographythe constant battle of its citizens to keep the sea at bay and the democratic philosophy that this enduring struggle fostered. This collection of 18 stories explores amsterdam from the 17th to 21st century via fiction, memoirs, and anecdotes.

In the guardian, nicholas lezard wrote, slice him where you like, ian mcewan is a damned good writer and discussed the compulsive nature of mcewans prose. History has long taught that our modern sensibility comes from the eighteenth century enlightenment. But when, in the last third of the book, mcewan manipulates the plot to achieve a less than credible symmetry, it is obvious that, despite the booker recognition, this is far from mcewans best novel. View all attractions near vrolijk gay and lesbian bookstore on tripadvisor. The dutch man said, those of us from here feel a little less positive about our past. When the capitalistic excesses of the industrial revolution collided with socialist theory in the 19th and 20th centuries, a liberalism that honored the good of all, rather than just a privileged few. Covering the destruction of the two world wars, as well as a range of national and colonial entanglements, the world aflame is a heartbreaking visual rendition of the wartorn decades that defined the 20th century, brought to life by. How amsterdam became the bookshop of the world the low. In the 1700s, amsterdam was just a small trading village in upstate new york. Discover book depositorys huge selection of amsterdam books online. Liberalism has many meanings, but in its classical sense it is a philosophy based on individual freedom.

With a large population of english speakers, the demand for english language books in amsterdam is a high one, and the city boasts a number of excellent. In the 17th century, amsterdam was a mecca for book lovers from all over the world. A history of beguinages, communities of likeminded women who aided their towns poor and vulnerable. Vrolijk gay and lesbian bookstore amsterdam 2020 all.

A history of the worlds most liberal city 01 by russell shorto isbn. The origins of the city lie in the 12th century, when fishermen living along the banks of the river amstel built a bridge across the waterway near the ij, which at the time was a large saltwater inlet. Ever since it was built around 85, it has been both famous and notorious for the women inhabiting its streets. How will you pass the quiet afternoons in the sunshine, lounging on river banks and sipping espresso. Amsterdam area history stories from focus on fulton and montgomery counties, the saturday gazette. Amsterdam is a great vacation destination even if your vacation is planned in short evenings between busy business days in netherlands. If their heritage is short or long is a question for you to answer but visiting amsterdam will give you more insight their culture which will make their history more appealing and interesting. Click to read more about a short history of amsterdam by dr. In 1664, an english fleet arrived at new amsterdam.

Last year i became infuriated with the book in english. Fort amsterdam would become the city of new amsterdam which would later become new york city. Rather than a short history, it was more like an overview. Hotel oblivion, 2002, a short story that appears in yoga for people who cant be bothered to do it. Very good short general historytravel writing on amsterdam. The city of amsterdam began as a village on the river amstel. A history of the worlds most liberal city by russell.