Amsterdam [Paperback]

Geert Mak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2001

A magnet for trade and travellers from all over the world, stylish, cosmopolitan Amsterdam is a city not only of dreams and nightmares, of grand civic architecture and legendary beauty, but also of civil wars, bloody religious purges, and the tragedy of Anne Frank. In this fascinating examination of the city's soul, part history, part travel guide, Geert Mak imaginatively recreates the lives of the early Amsterdammers, and traces Amsterdam's progress from waterlogged settlement to a major financial centre and thriving modern metropolis.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Dutch --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Geert Mak was born in Friesland in 1946 and is one of the Netherland's most prominent journalists. His works have been published to huge critical and popular acclaim. Philip Blom was born in Hamburg in 1970 and now works in London as a journalist, novelist and translator.

Product Details

• Paperback: 338 pages
• Publisher: Random House (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 186046789X
• ISBN-13: 978-1860467899
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > History > Europe > Luxembourg
  • #27 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > Dutch
  • #93 in Books > History > Europe > Belgium

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a good novel, September 25, 2003

By 

EURO-DIVA (AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amsterdam (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book about one of my favourite cities. It is written in a storytelling form by the author who is passionate enough about the city to know how to share it with the reader. My husband and I are not crazy about history books but we "devoured" this one. Couldn't put it down! We are looking forward to reading his other books.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview, May 15, 2008

By 

Glenn Miller (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amsterdam (Paperback)

It is always difficult to write a biography of a city, certainly of one with as rich a history as Amsterdam has. But Mak tells a wonderful story of a fascinating city, successfully explaining Amsterdam's modern-day character through centuries-old stories. In this 350-page book, Mak treats each segment of the city's history evenly, spending equal time on its founding, its rise, its stagnation, and its reemergence. But what makes this book such a page-turner is Mak's success at bringing past citizens to life through his recounting of old stories. Mak has clearly done a great deal of research into city and state archives. Through vivid writing, Mak introduces the reader to city founders, prisoners, flower traders, rich merchants, and current politicians. A wonderful read and a terrific introductory piece prior to visiting. An excellent companion book for the traveler is "A Murder in Amsterdam," by Ian Buruma, which recounts how problematic and conflicted Amsterdam's historical liberal and tolerant society has been since 9/11.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great history, easy to read and enjoy, December 16, 2007

By 

J. Beebe (Wisconsin, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Amsterdam (Paperback)

I was looking for a book on Amsterdam's history, and had heard of Mak's popularity in the Netherlands, so I decided to give this book a go. I'm very glad I did. The book is a great history - well told, easy to read, and full of little details and anecdotes to bring the story of this city to life.