Over the years, as I read the history of Europe, I wondered how such a small nation like the Netherlands, bordered by more powerful neighbors, made such an impact. This book reveals those elements that enabled the Netherlands to become a nation of note in world history. In particular the country’s commercial successes, supported by its advanced shipbuilding, enabled it to enjoy a period of prestige on the world stage.
However, the author has provided much more than a discussion of the Netherlands role in Europe’s expansion into the faraway corners of the planet. Unfortunately, much of the narration is given to the evolution of the country’s political system and the so-called “pillarization” of the factions vying for power.