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idicalini's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite an interesting book. I'm not sure I agree with the author's main argument, which is that Amsterdam has always had a particular brand of liberalism that has since become widespread in the world. However, I thought the history of the city was very interesting, although at times I feel he ignores the fact that Amsterdam does not exist in a vacuum; sure, it is a big city in the Netherlands, but by no means the only one, nor is Amsterdam the only place where innovation happens. But I suppose his focus on Amsterdam makes sense considering that the book is, well, about Amsterdam.
I like how he doesn't ignore the dirtier parts of history, like the atrocities the VOC and Dutch government committed in Indonesia, the complicity of many Dutch in deporting Jewish in WW2, and the murder of Theo van Gogh. Amidst all the glowing words, it provided a necessary counterweight.
I definitely learned a lot when reading this book, and I think that's its biggest strength. A stroll down Damrak or on the canals will be a little more interesting after this!
I like how he doesn't ignore the dirtier parts of history, like the atrocities the VOC and Dutch government committed in Indonesia, the complicity of many Dutch in deporting Jewish in WW2, and the murder of Theo van Gogh. Amidst all the glowing words, it provided a necessary counterweight.
I definitely learned a lot when reading this book, and I think that's its biggest strength. A stroll down Damrak or on the canals will be a little more interesting after this!
jessica_simonetti's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.0
Might be interesting if you’re not born and raised in Amsterdam and are learning about its history for the first time. Visiting the Amsterdam Museum, if you have the chance, is more riveting.
catherinec_123's review against another edition
5.0
This book is really interesting, I highly recommend reading it if you're planning a trip to Amsterdam. There are some nice discussions of religion and politics. It makes me want to be Dutch!
benfast's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Really interesting book, a neat mix of history and politics and culture and personal reflection.
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
3.0
A nice light trip through some of the turning points in the history of Amsterdam, this book reads as much like a history of social democracy and true liberalism as it does an historical survey of the last five hundred or so years. As a prep for travelling to Amsterdam, I think it laid some good foundations and there are now some points I'm going to be looking for when I'm there, but I have to admit that it did drag at parts and I never really had a drive to pick it up to see what happens next. That's probably why I prefer to read fiction, but this was a fairly interesting read for the most-part nonetheless.
xtina005's review against another edition
4.0
Great read on the history and worldwide influence of this city.
caroparr's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a chapter to get involved in this, but once I did I loved it. His thesis is that Amsterdam - and the Netherlands, though they are not the same - was created with both collectivism (working together to hold back the sea) and individualism (you owned the land you recovered rather than renting it from a lord). This combination gives Amsterdam its liberal bent, its gedogen (toleration, roughly). Shorto tells you just enough about Amsterdam's history that you want to explore further (Indonesia! Napoleon, as usual! Rembrandt! Anne Frank!). And I will.