Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll in the Dutch Golden Age

by Benjamin B. Roberts

When we think of young men rebelling against a boring, restrictive society, we tend to think of recent years—the rock-and-roll era, for example. But young men have always had a desire and tendency to subvert the status quo. Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll in the Dutch Golden Age is a fascinating volume that presents an engaging overview of what it was like to be young and male in the Dutch Golden Age. Here, well-known cohorts of Rembrandt are examined for the ways in which they expressed themselves by defying conservative values and norms. Young men of this era practiced shockingly—or seemingly—modern modes of rebellion: letting their hair grow long, wearing colorful clothing, drinking excessively, challenging city guards, being promiscuous, smoking, and singing lewd songs.
            Cogently argued, this book paints a compelling portrait of the youth culture of the Dutch Golden Age, at a time when the rising popularity of print made dissemination of new cultural ideas possible, while rising incomes and liberal attitudes created a generation of men behaving badly.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Hanneke · Rating 3 out of 5]

De titel heeft onmiskenbaar een wervende werking die bepaalde verwachtingen wekt. Die worden niet waargemaakt. Het boek is namelijk bij tijd en wijle beslist saai om te lezen, maar het geeft je toch genoeg leuke wetenswaardigheden om interessant te blijven. Bijvoorbeeld dat coma zuipen heel normaal was in de Gouden Eeuw, dat de dominante geur van Nederland tabakslucht was en dat die het dichtst bij de geur van zware shag kwam en dat men het uiterst sexy vond om vrouwen in hun beste kleding in de branding te gooien. Dit alles begeleidt onder volborstig gezang uit de liederenbundels van o.a. Bredero, die een soort Tiesto van zijn tijd was. Wie had nou ooit gedacht dat de Hollanders het meeste zongen van alle Europeanen in de 17e eeuw! Als je een Gouden Eeuw liefhebber bent, is het best de moeite waard om dit boekje te lezen.

[Nikita Azhigirov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels more like someone's PhD that was even "dumbed down" for the general public. It is an interesting topic no doubt, showing that youth will always stay the same no matter where or when however it is presented in a rather uninteresting and repetitive manner

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gift from a dear friend purchased after viewing an exhibit of the Dutch Masters. And it’s exactly the type of thing I would be drawn to.

The basic premise is that even 400+ years later, some things don’t really change. The authors easy going writing style, more like story telling than non-fiction, makes for fun reading. Sex is still sex. Drugs, mainly tobacco in the Golden Age to the wide array around now, can be paralleled. Rock and Roll can’t really be compared; right? But music played a large role in the lives of the Dutch Golden Age youth. It certainly played a very significant role in my younger days - still does! I’ll mention Alcohol separately as it is a bigger theme of the book.

Some things aren’t as harshly judged in today’s world; pre-marital sex or children out of wedlock. But 1640s syphilis has many similarities to 1980s HIV/AIDS. And the concept that struck me the most is privilege granted to the wealthy or to those “that can do something for you”. That last bit certainly hasn’t changed.

Nice read. I’ll look for the upcoming books in this series. Thanks Les!
4/5

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

An expansive yet detailed insight into the lives of young men in 1620s Holland. Roberts really illustrates a nation and a life-stage in a transitional period. A great resource that has opened my eyes to so many new potential avenues for further research.

[Nathan Harbison · Rating 3 out of 5]

(hist 0522g) i admire the amount of detail for a subject no one gives a rat shit about

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, informative, but sometimes shallow and unclear on whether the author is theorizing or working from sources he has consulted.

[Luke Sutherland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a single critical thought was had

[Sanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seks in de Gouden Eeuw gaat niet al te diep. Onder deze titel schreef ik voor CultuurBewust.nl een recensie, te lezen op: http://www.cultuurbewust.nl/literatuu...

[pcalu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Een typisch populariserend werkje. Spijtig genoeg heel vaak kort door de bocht en af en toe zelfs pertinente historische onjuistheden. Niet aan te raden.

[Philippe Beaujean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historisch, aangenaam geschreven

[Paolo Van kronenburg-bennink · Rating 3 out of 5]

leuk onderwerp, soms grappig en goed beschreven, dan weer erg gezocht