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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Interesting especially for me as a Dutch person. I knew nothing of the history although the war facts we learned at school. Even in the south of the Netherlands.
read this only bc i had to and it although it was well written and fairly easy to follow, that is if u didnt fall asleep bc of all of the info, it simply had no flavor. i truly believe the author himself believes he was funny and entertaining but he wasnt. im glad to have been able to read abt how certain pieces of amsterdams history were impacted and shaped by their bike culture but thats about it. i could have done without so many lengthy anecdotes about his own life. i also could have done with many of his opinions and views towards certain things--such as how he regarded his janitorial job and how his tone changes when he mentions the amount of immigrants that take on such jobs, as if they were beneath him. overall the author ruined this book for me. i want to take out his kneecaps.
This book uses way too many quotes to illustrate its points. Often three or four quotes in a row to illustrate the exact same point, so I ended up skipping some.
Apart from that, I generally enjoyed the book. It felt too long in some places, as if the author wasn't willing to part with any of his research even if it didn't add much to the book. But in other places I loved every bit, and it didn't feel long at all.
The book included some interesting history of Amsterdam, particularly during WWII, and made me more keen to ride my own bike. I can't wait to visit Amsterdam now, and see the city of bikes for myself.
Apart from that, I generally enjoyed the book. It felt too long in some places, as if the author wasn't willing to part with any of his research even if it didn't add much to the book. But in other places I loved every bit, and it didn't feel long at all.
The book included some interesting history of Amsterdam, particularly during WWII, and made me more keen to ride my own bike. I can't wait to visit Amsterdam now, and see the city of bikes for myself.
It's not that I'm against the authors personal stories relating to the history of bikes in Amsterdam it's just a lot of them seemed unnecessary.
DNF at 90 pages which is crazy because I am pretty much the prime audience for this book, as someone who studied abroad in the NL and became a transportation planner because of it. I could not get past Pete's self-important smugness and lazy writing style that slapped together quotes from other materials and called it good. I really wanted to learn more about the history of cycling in Amsterdam, but knew I couldn't make it through another 300 pages.
Really enjoyed the history and found much of the book entertaining. I keep trying to find a book which explicitly details step by step how to create the Netherland bike infrastructure in my own community. I’m sure that involves running for office etc
Very long and very dense, but if read in small chunks, it paces well and is pretty interesting. Less autobiography/memoir and more history of Amsterdam and biking.
Very enjoyable, full of lists and history, and a real sense of appreciation for cycling and Amsterdam. I liked it. I thought the chapter about the White Bicycle Plan went on a little long. I found the chapter on WWII to be a little disturbing (though an accurate picture of human nature) since it really took Germans going after Dutch bikes before anyone got too riled up.
I enjoyed the personal interludes, but my favorite chapter was a comparison of Amsterdam and America in the 1920s and why bikes took off there and cars took off here.
I really appreciated being both excited by and bothered by cyclists and their actions. Jordan seemed to keep his sense of humor and interest in his subject throughout.
I enjoyed the personal interludes, but my favorite chapter was a comparison of Amsterdam and America in the 1920s and why bikes took off there and cars took off here.
I really appreciated being both excited by and bothered by cyclists and their actions. Jordan seemed to keep his sense of humor and interest in his subject throughout.
By the end of the book I was ready to abandon our car-centric culture and head to Amsterdam (or Copenhagen). I enjoyed Jordan's personal anecdotes from his time in the city and wish he had included more. An informative and interesting read that showed me a more nuanced view of cycling in Amsterdam.
Although I don't remember bicyclists overrunning Amsterdam on a visit in the early 2000's, this book - part memoir, part cultural history - is enjoyable. The book could have been shorter - the unruly nature of the city's cyclists has not changed much over history - but Jordan's engaging experiences help break up the monotony.