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Han van der Horst

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The Low Sky: Understanding the Dutch Hardcover – January 1, 1996

by Han van der Horst (Author)

4.9 8 ratings

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Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Print length

299 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Scriptum
Publication date

January 1, 1996
Dimensions

6.3 x 1.18 x 8.66 inches
ISBN-10

9055940399
ISBN-13

978-9055940394
See all details

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scriptum; First Edition (January 1, 1996)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 299 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9055940399
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9055940394
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 1.18 x 8.66 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,937,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,005 in General Europe Travel Guides
- #6,322 in Emigration & Immigration Studies (Books)
- #10,215 in Travel Pictorial Reference Books

Customer Reviews:
4.9 8 ratings

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4.9 out of 5

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D. Bigelow

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2018

Verified Purchase

Both my husband and I read this book before traveling to the Netherlands and it was very helpful.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

and learned to my delight that these advancements were the result of a centuries-old ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2014

Before I ever visited the Netherlands I was fascinated by the fact that they'd legalized prostitution and de facto legalized pot (and would later become among the first nations to legalize euthanasia and gay marriage). I wondered if the Dutch were more enlightened than other people or if these were examples of a quirk in their system (the way legal abortions were a quirk of the American system, rather than a result of democracy).

While in Amsterdam I read The Low Sky, and learned to my delight that these advancements were the result of a centuries-old tradition that virtually forces Dutch society to make rational, rather than emotional decisions (the overleg).

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes human beings could be more rational in their decision-making processes, and how that can be achieved.

4 people found this helpful

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Very revealing

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2003

This book is a very interesting and very revealing analysis of Dutch culture and Dutch character. Although Horst is an insider, he seems to be well aware of the kinds of questions that outsiders have about Dutch culture. As an insider, he has a thorough understanding of what makes the Dutch tick.
The book is organized into the 6 broad tropics that anthropologists at the Tropen Museum in Amsterdam have identified as characterizing the Dutch: egalitarian, utilitarian, organized, trade-oriented, privacy-minded, and having a debt of honor. At times, however, this division seems to be overlaid onto the book, rather than providing an essential framework. Inside each chapter, Horst meanders through a wide range of information, interweaving such details as a synopsis of Dutch history, an analysis of modern politics and politicians, lyrics from popular music, and sample lonely heart classifieds. At all times, the focus is on the Dutch mindset, Dutch attitudes, and where they come from. I found the book to be very informative, and I would recommend it to anyone planning a long or short visit in the Netherlands.

9 people found this helpful

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vbspallone@aol.com

Moeurs et coutûmes du peuple néerlandais

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 1999

Un essai fort intéressant rédigé par l'historien Han van der Horst qui traite, en 6 chapitres, du peuple néerlandais sous diverses facettes. Parmi les sujets traités, comment la lutte perpétuelle contre les eaux forge une nation, le rapport des Néerlandais à l'argent et aux affaires, la fameuse politique de consensus, le caractère type du peuple Batave, etc... "The Low Sky" a le mérite d'exposer ses sujets en profondeur et par là-même, de se distinguer des ouvrages plus légers que l'on trouve généralement dans la section tourisme des librairies! Ce travail est loin de rivaliser avec les essais de Simon Schama ou d'Israel, mais il est relativement court, instructif et agréable à lire. P.S. Ce titre est disponible, en anglais comme en néerlandais, dans n'importe qu'elle librairie des Pays-Bas!

5 people found this helpful

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