History of the Netherlands: A Captivating Guide to Ancient Germanic and Celtic Tribes, the Eighty Years’ War, the Dutch Empire and Republic, and Modern Times

by Captivating History

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 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!
Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to discover the surprising story of a land that is so much more than bicycles, cheese, and tulips.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2023

Reviews

[Pamela Sweezy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m listening to the audiobook through Hoopla. I’d give it four stars for content but two stars for the narrator. He sounds like a man who REALLY loves to hear himself talk. I know that he’s trying to make it sound “captivating” but he speaks with the rhythm of a boring history teacher in front of a sleeping class and is constantly rocking back and forth between his heels and toes. The problem is, the lilt that comes when he gets to his toes is often on the wrong word or part of a sentence/paragraph. That “amused lilt” is the same if he’s talking about a gruesome murder or the rewriting of regulations. And those two things aren’t the same. He also can’t seem to decide how to pronounce some of the city names as they change as the book goes on. I’ve been to Gouda and they don’t pronounce it any of the ways that he pronounces it (though it’s closer later on in the book.) But enough about that.

The content is informative and, while I wish it would take a deeper dive, I realize that they are trying to cover centuries in five hours. I’d recommend the physical book for an overview of the country’s history.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A straight retelling of Dutch history. It was a jumble of names and dates. I learned a bit so it did its job but it wasnt told in a particularly engaging style. That and the fact that I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was horrible made it just okay, I mean really the narration was so bad I thought at first it was read by AI.

Yeah don't listen to this. Might be worth picking up a physical copy though.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts at the beginning when the country formed after the Ice Age and claimed by nomadic travellers, providing illustrations and photos to accompany the text. This is a compact history of the Netherlands, looking into the evolution of eras and the impact the history has on today. This includes the wars, the Church, the coast, and the Royals.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gerry O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely thorough

This is an exhaustive discussion of the storied history of the nation we know as "The Netherlands", although it seems it and surrounding countryside we just called the "The Low Country". It was enlightening to learn how this nation developed into a world power, rivaling England, France and Spain in dominance in trade, sea control and the nefarious slavery trafficking.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. The history of the Netherlands contained much more than I thought of. It was an engaging and captivating recount of the history of the Netherlands.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew much about the history of the Netherlands and this book was wonderful! A great introduction to the history and richly researched.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bro Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the history of a country that I have visited several times. Many of the historical facts were new to me. Makes me want to read the history of every country in the world.

[Sally Grey]

It has taken me most of the year to finish this book and I found it far less than captivating. The final few chapters made sense to me, but all the previous wrangling for power seemed pointless. I'm glad it's over.

[Dolores Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

N
7 bc wa

[shraddha]

had to dnf the audiobook because the narrator is so uncanny. will probably read physical version instead

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

History of the Netherlands: A Captivating Guide to Ancient Germanic and Celtic Tribes, the Eighty Years’ War, the Dutch Empire and Republic, and Modern Times by Captivating History offers a broad overview of the Netherlands’ fascinating past. The book touches on a wide array of topics, from the early Germanic and Celtic tribes to the rise of the Dutch Empire, the pivotal Eighty Years’ War, and modern Dutch history.

While the book provides an informative summary of these key historical periods, it can feel a bit surface-level at times. The breadth of the topics covered means that certain areas don’t go into as much depth as some readers may prefer, especially those looking for a more detailed analysis. For history enthusiasts, this could feel like a starting point rather than an exhaustive account.

The writing is generally accessible, but it lacks the narrative flow and depth that would make the history more engaging or memorable. It’s perfect for readers who are looking for a quick overview but may not satisfy those who are seeking a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the subject.

Overall, this book serves as a decent introduction to the history of the Netherlands, but it might leave more seasoned history buffs wanting more.