Customer Reviews

The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477-1806 (Oxford History of Modern Europe)

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3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Professor Israel's book is the first volume in what is clearly intended to be a new series of definitive texts, Oxford University Press's History of Early Modern Europe. The book is certainly superbly produced (albeit a bit short of maps), and is packed with information on a fascinating subject. No doubt the Dutch achievement in the seventeenth century was amazing - after rebelling from Spain the Dutch turned themselves into a world power,became the freest and most advanced society in Europe (although Dutch freedom had its limits, as Professor Israel makes clear) and produced a galaxy of stunning artists - Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals etc. All this based on nothing but hard work and daring, and founded on a country that Dutchmen made themselves - "God made the world, but the Dutch made Holland", as they say. So a great subject, a magnificent looking book, and a first rate scholar who really knows his stuff and who has published a number of excellent books. And yet, it doesn't quite get there...I don't agree with those who say that this book is in the same league as Simon Schama's. I am a historian, but found the book very hard going. I think one problem was the author's obsessive focus on the internal rivalries of the Dutch provinces and towns. By the time the states of Friesland and the States of Zeeland and the States of Holland and the States-General had all fallen out with themselves yet again for the umpteenth time my eyes were starting to glaze over...I'm sure it's very important to understanding Dutch history but I felt the material on internal rivalries and jealousies needed to be shortened and the issues clarified for the non-specialist. As well as being overburdened with material on internal politics other aspects of the Dutch achievement were covered very sketchily. I was surprised for such a large book to have so little on the Dutch seaborne empire - Israel is mainly interested in the VOC as a factor in Dutch internal politics. There is one chapter on the overseas empire but it is not very detailed and Israel is clearly not especially interested in it. As a citizan of a country named, after all, after a Dutch province and whose first European discoverer was a Dutchman I was disappointed to see so little on the DUtch in North America, Brazil, Ceylon, South Africa and the East Indies. The book is essentially a detailed internal political history of the Seven Provinces in 1100 pages. I also would have liked to know more about art and literature. Perhaps the book basically reflects a tendency in modern European historical writing to focus on internal politics and European affairs and to minimise and downplay the European overseas empires. For a great world seapower like the Netherlands this seems very limiting. Older works on the Dutch empire by C R Boxer and others still remain essential reading.

I am afraid I have to disagree with my fellow readers. Israel's account of the rise and fall of the Dutch Republic is exhaustive and certainly impressive, but it is a difficult read. This book is for only those with a burning interest in the subject and a willingness to tolerate dry, academic prose.

I learned a lot, which was my goal, but not without some, in my judgment, unnecessary frustration. Too often, Israel assumes that the reader has a much deeper knowledge of the subject matter than I believe is warranted. He frequently makes use of terms and refers to historical characters that are not explained until much later in the text. The organization of the chapters within each section does not help. It would have been better, I think, to begin each section with an overview of political events and follow with broader commentary on Dutch society and religious development, for example. This way the reader could put the latter into the context of the former. Israel does this in his section, "The Early Golden Age", but not with "The Later Golden Age." The narrative flow suffers as a result. Someone more expert in Dutch history would not find this a problem, but if this is to be the definitive and most accessible account of the rise and fall of the Dutch Republic, as the professional critic suggests, then it is a serious flaw.

I have a bias towards maps. I think history books should include a lot of them. They help readers place events. This book could use more, but the real problem here is that the maps Oxford's editors did produce for Israel are of poor quality.

In short, this is a book for the serious student of Dutch history and not for those looking for a good, accessible introduction to the subject. Turn to Israel after reading a book that provides such an introduction.

This is a frustrating book to review. It is one of the worst-edited books I have read in a long time, yet it contains a wealth of intersting information. It is comprehensive and well-enough explained to interest a lay reader, but it is difficult to read beyond what is necessary given the dryness of the subject matter. First, the good: Israel presents almost a year-by-year discussion of Dutch politics, economics, and demographics. His presentation is highly detailed, generally offering his arguments first, then backing them up with substantial data. Israel has pulled together statistics of population growth, economic activity, and political positions in a wealth of tables. Finally, he defines his terms clearly, then uses them consistently. Now, the bad: This is one of the worst-edited books I can imagine. Israel's excessive use of commas in the most inappropriate places makes reading this work a chore. His meaning is obscured by the incorrect use of punctuation. In short, his editor should [have done a better editing job]. Second, the editing goes downhill toward the end of the book. Whereas the first 2/3 of the text clearly presents the major political events, then follows them with the appropriate economic, social, and demographic consequences, the latter part of the book reverses this presentation. This leaves the reader to infer major political events (like the French invasion of 1792-1794) from the discussion of demographics, economics, or social trends. A consequence of this decline in editing is that the explanation of why the Dutch republic declined is not presented clearly. If the reader pays close attention and has a good grounding in economics, he can understand what must have been going on behind the scenes. But the big story of the sudden decline of one of the major maritime powers in the world is not clearly told. Finally, Israel often uses text where a table would be more appropriate. He will take three pages to go through the voting record of each city in each province, rather than summarize the data in a table. The 1100 pages of the book could easily be reduced by several hundred without impacting the support of Israel's arguments and make the book much more readable in the process.

This book truly is the difinitive work on Dutch history. The sheer volume and description of detail makes the book very informative. The vivid writing style and the subdivision of the chapters gives the reader the ability to speed through the book in addition to breaking down and digesting each main idea clearly. The maps, charts, and graphs are clear and give the reader an illustration to the detail of the text. Also, the explanation of the Dutch Republican government, which is anything but simple, was clear and precise. I plan on using this book in my classes for reference. A truly great book.

Being a Dutchman myself, I am very pleased to have this book, which gives a very detailed and insightful account of the Dutch Republic, starting with the rise of Holland in the 13th century. Israel compares the dutch 'Golden Age' with similiar glorious periods in Florence and Athens. Indeed, the explosion of science, art and technology in the dutch Golden Age as depicted by Israel is amazing; the results are still visible today (especially in art; Rembrandt, Vermeer, ...). The comprehensive treatment in this book affords a view on the whole panorama of this exceptional period; the Fall in the 18th century, less pleasant, is also covered in detail, ending with the deaththrows of the republic after the French revolution.

As a student this was my main text for a class titled "A History of the Dutch Golden Age." It was extremely useful, clear, and well written. I had little trouble getting through even the longest chapters and felt I knew exactly what Israel was trying to say. Do not be intimidated by the size of this 1000+ text, you will learn a lot!

the book is well written and gives a very good insight in the history, events and customs at the time

The best historybook I have ever read with no doubt. I think in a small 1300 pages I never learned so much about my own history than I learned in the 2 weeks I spend to read this book. By now I have read it 3 times and if only have time I would pick ip up and read it again and again till I can dream whats in there. The 17th & 18th century is with no doubt one of the most interesting parts in the history of the world. Strangely it was my own country that played the most important role in this very interesting time.

And so many Dutch that earn the right to be named here, so many founders of our nations. Perhaps to them this is the most honarable a man could ever do to them, since they are all named in the book and how !!! I think about John Van Oldenbarnevelt, Hugo De Groot, John & Cornelius De Witt, Micheal De Ruyter, Rembrandt Van Rijn and last but not least Spinoza !!

An amazing achievement that will set out to be THE standard work about the Republic for years to come.

I have read the Dutch version, and that one is a really special one, seperated in 2 books, hardcover !! And everty page printed on photopaper, beautifully released !!! So when you are Dutch you can beter go to a local bookstore to get the Dutch version, since its simply more beautifull, although the price (about $ 130,- is another thing that can keep you away from it.) is worth it every penny !! You will not be regreted.

For non Dutch people, when you want to come over and tour our little nice country, be sure to read this book from beginning till end and back. It will tell you everything you ever need to know to understand our culture & history.

I read anything I can about the Benelux countries because I am a descendent of Dutch settlers who emigrated from Groningen and Zeeland to Grand Rapids Michigan in the 1860s. One branch of our family lived in Sint Maartensdyke for at least 500 years. Why leave after all that time? One of the most important approaches to understanding the lives of our own ancestors is reading history. Having discovered real human beings who lived through the periods depicted by Israel, Schma, and other historians has helped me to better appreciate what my ancestors might have experienced and why they made the decisions they did. Why do the Mennonites suddenly disappear from our family tree? I learned from Israel and Schma Mennonites were persecuted (we must have switched rather than fight). I learned from Schma that the Dutch farmers turned out in droves to fight Napolean at Waterloo. It gave me goosebumps because I never imagined before I might have had an ancestor at Waterloo. I have learned about the shipping business and various battles for control of the sea. I had an ancestor who was the skipper of a ship, now I have some insight into his life. The ancient relationship between the Dutch and the English is fascinating. I have an ancestor named Inglesman--which means Englishman in Dutch.

THIS BOOK IS THE PRODUCT OF EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH AND IS VERY DETAILED, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO POLITICAL HISTORY. HOWEVER, IT CONTAINS LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF GRAMMATICAL ERRORS. MOST OF THEM ARE UNGRAMMATICAL COMMAS BUT THERE ARE ALSO MISSING COMMAS, MISUED DASHES, SENTENCE FRAGMENTS AND OTHER ERRORS. MR. ISRAEL AND OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. READERS WHO WANT A GRAMMATICAL, WELL WRITTEN AND LIVELY ALTERNATIVE WOULD DO WELL TO READ JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY'S BOOKS.