What do you need to know about the Netherlands? The third edition of Discovering the Dutch explores the urgent question of Dutch identity through a rich tapestry of themes that span culture, history, geography, and society. From the legendary William of Orange to today’s populist movements, from sea power to innovative water management, from pillarization to postcolonial diversity, and from the timeless paintings of Rembrandt to the vibrant pulse of contemporary literature, this volume unve...

Floating cradles, water wolves, a finger in the dike: what do stories about their struggle with the water tell us about the Dutch? For centuries the Dutch have battled with water. Time after time they managed to tame the water wolf, but they have had to deal at least as often with devastating floods. There was the Saint Elizabeth’s Day Flood of 1421, for example, and the North Sea flood of 1953. In the cultural representation of such catastrophic events, vulnerability and pride go hand in h...

The Canon of Flanders presents people, places, inventions, events and developments with special importance for today’s Flemish society. 60 richly illustrated windows illuminate decisive moments in history, from the earliest habitation up to the present. Besides well-known heroes and villains, the reader will also encounter ordinary men and women who, in good times and bad, built a life for themselves. This book was put together by a committee of experts after consultation with researchers, ...