front cover of A Key to Dutch History
A Key to Dutch History
The Cultural Canon of the Netherlands
Edited by Frits van Oostrom and Hubert Slings
Amsterdam University Press, 2007
Many people know the stories behind the tulip mania in the 17th century and the legacy of the Dutch East India Company, but what basic knowledge of Dutch history and culture should be passed on to future generations? A Key to Dutch History and its resulting overview of historical highlights, assembled by a number of specialists in consultation with the Dutch general public, provides a thought-provoking and timely answer. The democratic process behind the volume is reminiscent of the way in which the Netherlands has succeeded for centuries at collective craftsmanship, and says as much about the Netherlands as does the outcome of the opinions voiced.The Cultural Canon of the Netherlands consists of a list of fifty topics from Dutch culture and history, varying from the megalithic tombs in the province of Drenthe and Willem of Orange to the Dutch constitution and the vast natural gas field in the province of Groningen. These fifty topics act as a framework for understanding and even studying Dutch culture and history. The canon should lead to further understanding and deepening of our knowledge of our past and act as an inspirational source for pupils, students and the public at large.
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front cover of The Netherlands in a Nutshell
The Netherlands in a Nutshell
Highlights from Dutch History and Culture
Edited by Frits van Oostrom
Amsterdam University Press, 2009
This book presents a global overview of the key events and themes in Dutch history and culture: a choice of fifty key topics, or ‘windows’ into the country. Fifty important people, inventions and events which together show how the Netherlands has developed into the country that it is now. Each topic includes a list of places to visit and websites. At the back of the book, there is an overview of the fifty ‘windows’, grouped in fourteen themes. This is an excellent introduction for anyone who would like to make an acquaintance with this low country by the sea.
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