Description

A small country with a big heart and an incredible history

The History of the Netherlands will guide you through the formation of a truly dynamic and diverse European nation. It is the rich and colorful story of how a collection of low-lying states aligned and bonded while others fell away.

Find out how the people of this country fought against nature to cultivate land below sea level. Discover how they survived wars, invasions, and natural disasters and developed a trading nation that would become the envy of Europe. Uncover the truth behind bloody battles fought between medieval royalty, warlords, and rebellious guilds of Dutch workers, all of which shaped the country we know today.

Learn about the path to the Northern Renaissance, a glorious time of innovative scientific developments, philosophical enlightenment, and some of the most beautiful paintings the world has seen. Explore the religious awakening that took root in the Netherlands that split the Christian Church forever.

Discover remarkable leaders, inspiring stories of human resourcefulness, and cautionary tales of spectacular downfalls. Read how a nation of craftsmen and traders founded a glittering empire and laid claim to exotic lands that brought fantastic wealth, riches, and international status despite being built on one of the most appalling practices in history.

The History of the Netherlands will take you on a journey through the ages and reveal some of the following:

• How people in the Stone Age flourished in a land without stone;
• Why the Romans met their match when they came against northern tribes;
• How a holy miracle became the making of Amsterdam;
• The technique for pickling fish that became a game changer in the 14th century;
• How the medieval powers of France, Spain, and Britain fought alongside and against Dutch armies as they battled for European supremacy;
• How the world watched as Dutch investors speculated on flower bulbs and were left bankrupt and destitute when the market collapsed;
• The far-reaching consequences of Napoleon's and Hitler's invasions;
• And so much more