{"product_id":"9781915590350","title":"The Invention of Amsterdam","description":"Author: Coates, Ben\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781915590350\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Scribe Publications\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 29 Apr 2025\u003cbr\u003ePages: 384\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn essential guide to one of the world's most remarkable, and often misunderstood, cities by the author of \u003ci\u003eWhy the Dutch Are Different\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Ben Coates injures his leg and needs to rebuild his strength by walking, he finds himself presented with an exciting opportunity- to rediscover the city he has been working in for over a decade, at a slower pace. He devised ten walks, each demonstrating a different chapter of Amsterdam's history, from its humble beginnings in the early 1200s as a small fishing community through two Golden Ages, fuelled by the growth of the Dutch colonial empire, two world wars, and countless reinventions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e    Join Coates as he meanders past beautiful townhouses and glittering canals, dances at Pride celebrations, witnesses the King's apology at Keti Koti, attends a WW2 memorial, gets high at a coffee shop, walks through the red-light district, and gazes in awe at Rembrandt paintings, all the while illuminating modern Amsterdam by explaining its past.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlending travelogue and quirky history, \u003ci\u003eThe Invention of Amsterdam\u003c\/i\u003e is an entertaining and sharply observed portrait of a fascinating and complicated city.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'A beautifully illustrated book cover of the Dutch capital. This travelogue mixed with history provides a vivid and interesting portrait of a complicated global city.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e -Laura Hackett, \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Ben Coates is the ideal companion to wander around Amsterdam with. He's witty, knowledgeable - without being overbearing - and eager to upend many of the cliches associated with the city. As someone who lives in The Netherlands, and who is married to a Dutch woman, he's keen to show you the real Amsterdam and, because you're travelling at walking speed, he has time to linger over details that most travel books overlook. Coates is excellent on what it's like to live in the city today. However, he's equally skilled at showing us Amsterdam's past. The section on the country's colonial history is both important and informative and he even manages to shed new light on the city under Nazi occupation. \u003ci\u003eThe Invention of Amsterdam\u003c\/i\u003e will make you desperate to jump on the next plane or train to rediscover one of Europe's most complex cities.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e-Midge Gillies, author of \u003ci\u003eAmy Johnson\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003ePiccadilly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eWhy the Dutch are Different\u003c\/i\u003e-\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Author Ben Coates has produced an insightful gem.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e-\u003ci\u003eThe Scotsman\u003c\/i\u003e, Books of the Year\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46726947602590,"sku":"UBD-9781915590350","price":29.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781915590350.jpg?v=1776490815","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781915590350","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}